Coaching Conversations with the AoEC

The AoEC
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Welcome to the AoEC podcast series where we explore some of the latest trends and topical issues facing the workplace, coaching, leadership, and people development fields. Coaching skills are a new currency for the 21st century workplace and are increasingly crucial in unlocking potential, supporting wellbeing, and making businesses more viable and sustainable. Join us as we highlight how coaching can help individuals, teams and organisations scale the complex and fast paced change facing the world of work as we delve into topics including wellbeing, job design, talent management, engagement, L&D, management, change management and working with teams .If you have a subject you would like us to highlight, or want to share your thoughts on our podcasts, please use the hashtag #AoECPodcasts.

  1. JAN 20

    Episode 17 – The Strength Report: Why coaching shouldn’t be a perk

    In this episode, we sit down with Sam Heighway, founder of Be Business Fit and author of The Strength Report 2025, to unpack what 170 UK leaders and professionals told her about coaching in their organisations. The findings reveal a clear appetite for coaching, but also persistent barriers that keep it out of reach for many. We discuss:  Why coaching is a necessity for confident leadership, not a luxury for the fewThe gap between perception and reality: “coaching is for anyone” vs who actually gets itThe hidden costs of not coaching and how to make the ROI casePractical steps to normalise coaching access across all levelsWhether you’re a senior leader, HR decision-maker or simply curious about how coaching strengthens culture and performance, this conversation offers insight, evidence and actionable ideas. You can link with the speakers here:  Karen Smart, faculty, the AoEC – hostSam Heighway, director and founder Be Business Fit - guest panellist You can also connect with Sam via Instagram or Facebook.

    50 min

  2. 11/25/2025

    Episode 16 – Why executive coaching belongs in your portfolio career

    In this episode, we explore how executive coaching can become a powerful and versatile strand in a portfolio career. Joined by two graduates of our Practitioner Diploma in Executive Coaching programme, we hear how they transitioned from corporate life to building fulfilling, multi-dimensional careers where coaching plays a central role.  We discuss:  Why coaching is a valuable skillset for those designing a portfolio careerHow to make the shift from a single-track role to a more flexible, purpose-led pathThe personal and professional growth that coaching unlocksReal stories of reinvention, resonance and rediscoveryWhether you're actively building a portfolio career or simply curious about what’s possible beyond the 9-to-5, this conversation offers inspiration, insight and practical takeaways. You can link with the speakers here: ·       Lucy Tulloch, the AoEC & Lucy Tulloch Coaching – host ·       Dr Claire Handby,  Dr Claire Handby Business Leadership Ltd - guest panellist  ·       Helen Keddie, Keddie Consultancy & Coaching Ltd – guest panellist To find out more about coach training and coaching, please visit the AoEC’s website www.aoec.com.

    48 min

  3. 03/03/2025

    Episode 15: Understanding strong workplace cultures in B Corp Certified® organisations

    In this special B Corp Month episode, we delve into the stories of some of the UK’s top-performing B Corp certified organisations in the Worker category. Through conversations with their HR leaders, we uncover what sets their workplace cultures apart, the innovative approaches they’ve taken to employee development, and the practices that underpin their outstanding employee engagement and satisfaction. Join us to explore the strategies that help these purpose-driven organisations excel and lead the way in fostering exceptional workplaces.  You can link with the speakers here: Karen Smart, head of consultancy/senior faculty at the AoEC – host Victoria Birks, head of operations, Socius – guest panellist Beth Gaudin, director and head of people, Forster Communications – guest panellist About Socius: Socius is an impactful developer with a £2.5bn development pipeline across major UK towns and cities including Bristol, Brighton, Cambridge, Milton Keynes and London. Privately-owned and certified B Corp, Socius partners with global investors to balance profit and purpose whilst delivering inspiring and sustainable mixed-use places. About Forster Communications: Turning your sustainability ambitions into action, Forster Communications is 100% focused on tackling climate change, driving social justice and improving lives. It combines insights, experience and connections to solve complex communications challenges, address barriers that are preventing progress, engage relevant audiences and deliver measurable change for its clients, their stakeholders and society. Forster Communications works with global and local businesses to accelerate positive change through communications strategy and planning, thought leadership, employee engagement and campaigning. With a deep understanding of social and environmental issues and live, cross-sector connections, the company can help you move from wanting to make a difference, to real action and results. To find out more about coach training and coaching, please visit the AoEC’s website www.aoec.com.

    40 min

  4. 01/13/2025

    Episode 14: Coaching in action at Wavelength Connect

    Join us as we go behind the scenes of Wavelength Connect, which is a unique executive education and leadership development programme focused on the theme of The Future of Business. Each year they bring together a cohort of 60 leaders from sectors that do not normally interact and provide access to a global array of the most admired, successful, and innovative companies, leaders and thinkers. Across this nine-month, in-person, experiential programme of events, behind the brand visits, peer working groups and executive coaching, leaders are immersed in four key themes: Global perspectives on innovation & agility Culture & future workforce The responsible organisation Personal leadership Having formed a partnership back in 2021, AoEC has been supporting Wavelength Connect participants with top notch, highly qualified, and highly experienced executive coaches to help leaders make the most of the programme and translate inspiration into application. You can link with the speakers here: Karen Smart, head of consultancy at the AoEC – Host Jessica Stack, founder, Wavelength - guest panelist If you would like to know more about Wavelength and the Connect programme, get in touch with the team here. To find out more about coach training and coaching, please visit the AoEC’s website www.aoec.com.

    46 min

  5. 12/11/2024

    Episode 13: Navigating career change: overcoming fears and embracing new paths

    In this episode, we explore the emotional challenges that come with career change, especially when making bold moves such as leaving corporate life to become an entrepreneurial coach or transitioning into a new line of work. We'll dive into the powerful emotions of career transitions and, in particular, into the fears that can hold you back, what to expect during the process, and how coaching itself can provide some of the support needed to make informed decisions. Whether you're considering a career shift or are already on the path, this discussion will offer practical insights to help you navigate the uncertainty and confidently embrace your next chapter. You can link with the speakers here: Sue Reynolds, AoEC & founder of Sue Reynolds Executive Coaching – episode host · Araceli Candeo Bebbington, founder, Power of Change – guest panellist · Jon Palmstrom, founder, Off-Piste Coaching - guest panellist To find out more about coach training and coaching, please visit the AoEC’s website www.aoec.com.

    49 min

  6. 10/14/2024

    Episode 12: Overview of executive coaching and coach training in the UK: past, present, and future

    Over the past 25 years, the UK’s executive coaching industry has evolved from a niche service into a cornerstone of leadership and people development. The AoEC has played a pivotal role in this transformation by setting high standards for coach training and accreditation and has helped raise the bar for professional coaching, making significant contributions to the field. We look back at how the industry has evolved during the AoEC’s 25-year history and look ahead at the future of executive coaching in the UK. We will explore its increasing demand driven by the complexities of modern leadership and assess what will be important in its next phase of growth and innovation. You can link with the speakers here: ·       John Leary-Joyce, CEO and founder, AoEC – guest panellist ·       Peter Burditt, owner, Strategic Development Consultants Ltd and non-executive director, AoEC - guest panellist ·       Kaz Hazelwood, AoEC - host   To find out more about coach training and coaching, please visit the AoEC’s website www.aoec.com

    57 min

  7. 03/06/2024

    Episode 11: Leading by Nature with Giles Hutchins

    Marking Climate Coaching Action Day 2024, the AoEC’s George Warren is joined by Giles Hutchins to discuss his work in helping organisations and leaders learn to attune with the rhythms and ways of nature, so they are better able to adapt to change. Discussing his latest book, Leading by Nature, they also explore how coaches can help support this much needed shift in leadership and organisational design. You can link with the speakers here: George Warren, faculty at the AoEC – Host Giles Hutchins, pioneering practitioner, executive coach, author, thought leader and keynote speaker - special guest panellist  Useful links Find out more about some of the resources mentioned in the discussion here along with some further miscellaneous content: Giles Hutchins’ website https://gileshutchins.com/ Giles’ Deep Dive Immersion – 23 & 24 May 2024 https://thenatureofbusiness.org/2024/02/21/leading-by-nature-a-deep-dive-into-embodying-next-stage-regenerative-leadership-consciousness/ Giles’ blog https://thenatureofbusiness.org/ Giles‘ books including Leading by Nature https://www.amazon.co.uk/Books-Giles-Hutchins/s?rh=n%3A266239%2Cp_27%3AGiles+Hutchins Giles’ Leadership Immersions LinkedIn Group https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13767578/ Gregory Bateson https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_Bateson https://batesoninstitute.org/gregory-bateson/ Otto Scharmer https://ottoscharmer.com/ Donella Meadows https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donella_Meadows https://donellameadows.org/ James Lovelock https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Lovelock Fritjof Capra https://www.fritjofcapra.net/ Professor Peter Hawkins https://www.renewalassociates.co.uk/ Climate Coaching Action Day: Hashtag: #climatecoachingactionday Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/ClimateCoachingActionDay LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/groups/8869975/ Twitter:  @climatecoachday Website: https://www.climatecoachingactionday.info/ Coaching in the Climate Crisis – A Certificate in Climate Coaching -  https://www.aoec.com/programmes/certificate-climate-coaching/ Climate coaching related resources from the AoEC –  https://www.aoec.com/coaching-climate/

    44 min

  8. 10/18/2023

    Episode 10: Coaching for social impact - the handprint of benefit

    What does social change mean in today’s world and how does it relate to individual development through coaching? How can coaches act as agents of social and systemic change? We look at how the scope of coaching can impact beyond the individual by touching whole organisations, communities and the world. You can link with the host and guest panellists here: George Warren, faculty at the AoEC - Host Ana Paula Nacif PCC, Quantum Leap Coaching & Consultancy - panellist Tracy Sinclair MCC, Coach Advancement by Tracy Sinclair - panellist Useful links Find out more about some of the resources mentioned in the discussion here along with some additional related content: Coaching with Conscience  ICF Foundation - Coaching for Social Impact  ICF Foundation – Ignite - Engaging Coaching for Humanity and the Planet  Coaching for Social Impact  Coaching for Social Impact Report (BACP)  Coaching Professional (Level 5) Apprenticeship training course  https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/coaching-professional-v1-0 Coachsters – coaching for young people  EMCC Social Responsibility  EMCC Social Responsibility Special Interest Group Humanitarian Coaching Network  Climate Coaching Alliance  Ecological and Climate-Conscious Coaching: A Companion Guide to Evolving Coaching Practice  Coaching for Social Change by Hany Shoukry

    52 min
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About

Welcome to the AoEC podcast series where we explore some of the latest trends and topical issues facing the workplace, coaching, leadership, and people development fields. Coaching skills are a new currency for the 21st century workplace and are increasingly crucial in unlocking potential, supporting wellbeing, and making businesses more viable and sustainable. Join us as we highlight how coaching can help individuals, teams and organisations scale the complex and fast paced change facing the world of work as we delve into topics including wellbeing, job design, talent management, engagement, L&D, management, change management and working with teams .If you have a subject you would like us to highlight, or want to share your thoughts on our podcasts, please use the hashtag #AoECPodcasts.

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