The Coaching Cafe Podcast: Recent Episodes
Open Door Coaching
The latest thinking from Australia's leading Organisational Coaching specialist, Open Door Coaching.
As we move beyond the end of financial year and settle into the second half of the year, many workplaces are beginning to feel the effects of sustained pressure, competing priorities and ongoing change. It is a timely reminder to check in on our own mental health—and that of those around us.
The reality is that you, or someone you know, may be struggling.
As coaches, leaders and managers, we are often in a unique position to notice when something is not quite right. Through creating safe, trusting coaching conversations, we can provide valuable support while remaining clear about the boundaries of our role.
Join our leadership and coaching specialist Paula Jones-Hunt, PCC and Brigitte Calvert, MCC as we explore:
✔️ The signs that someone may benefit from a mental health conversation
✔️ The role of the coach in providing support and connecting people with appropriate services
✔️ How to maintain clear professional boundaries while creating a safe space for meaningful conversations
✔️ Practical coaching approaches that support wellbeing in the workplace
Whether you are coaching leaders, supporting colleagues, or simply wanting to build your confidence in responding to these situations, this webinar will provide practical guidance and coaching tools that can make a genuine difference.
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow!
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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We round off our series on a consistent and regular approach to performance conversations with a huge dose of reality.
The reality is that not all performance conversations will go to plan, and some conversations will be genuinely difficult. Despite a manager’s best efforts, there will be times when performance is still not meeting expectations.
Adding to this challenge, Gallup research suggests that many employees do not believe they gain real value from performance review conversations. It is therefore not surprising that some leaders and managers walk into these conversations with a real sense of dread.
In the Coaching Cafe, we want to equip you with practical ideas and coaching tools that can make a difference in these more difficult situations.
Join Dr Natalie Ashdown and leadership and HR specialist Paula Jones-Hunt as we explore:
✓ What makes performance conversations difficult
✓ How to take an approach to these conversations that is values aligned
✓ How to identify and implement the positive intention of the conversation to achieve better outcomes
Whether you are experienced in these conversations, coaching managers, or simply wanting to strengthen your own toolkit, this webinar will provide a practical and grounded approach to navigating difficult conversations more effectively.
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow!
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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In the Coaching Cafe this week, we continue our conversation around the importance of consistent and regular performance conversations, rather than relying solely on mid-year or annual reviews.
This week we specifically focus on performance uplift and how a strengths-based approach enables stronger engagement and improved workplace performance.
Research from Gallup and other organisations has consistently shown that a strengths-based approach to conversations creates the kind of uplift organisations are desperately seeking — we are talking about a 36% uplift in performance.
Join Dr Natalie Ashdown and leadership and HR specialist Paula Jones-Hunt as we explore:
✓ What a strengths-based approach to performance conversations looks like
✓ How this approach can enable a 36% uplift in performance
✓ A practical case study demonstrating the impact of strengths conversations
✓ Coaching questions you can use immediately in your workplace
Whether you are coaching managers, leading teams yourself, or wanting to improve your own performance, this webinar will provide practical tools and insights that can make a genuine difference.
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow!
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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Last week we introduced the idea that the traditional annual or mid-year performance review is increasingly under the spotlight, with some organisations moving away from the formal review process altogether.
This week we continue the conversation with a focus on the coaching mindset that supports regular performance conversations to enable engagement, accountability and high performance in the workplace.
At the heart of this conversation is the idea that performance reviews themselves are not necessarily the problem. Rather, it is how we approach them. Reframing performance reviews as ongoing, continuous conversations creates opportunities for stronger engagement, clearer expectations and more meaningful development.
Join Dr Natalie Ashdown and leadership and HR specialist Paula Jones-Hunt as we explore:
✓ A better understanding of the coaching mindset and coaching approach to performance conversations
✓ Our favourite tools for creating engaging and productive conversations
✓ A practical approach to building accountability, engagement and documenting the way forward
Whether you are new to the annual performance review cycle, moving away from the traditional approach, or coaching others to have better conversations, this webinar will provide practical tools and engaging insights to support high performance conversations.
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow!
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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This week we begin a new Coaching Cafe series focused on the mid-year performance review.
While many leaders and HR teams are preparing for the usual cycle of meetings and conversations, some organisations are taking a very different approach. Increasingly, companies are deciding to move away from formal mid-year and annual review processes altogether, citing the time involved, low engagement and delayed feedback as outweighing the benefits.
At Open Door, we have long advocated for regular check-ins, timely feedback and ongoing coaching conversations, rather than relying on a single once or twice-yearly event. It seems this thinking is becoming increasingly relevant.
Join Dr Natalie Ashdown and leadership and HR specialist Paula Jones-Hunt as we explore:
✓ The trends shaping performance reviews and why some organisations are moving away from formal mid-year and annual events
✓ The role of coaching in performance reviews
✓ How leaders and coaches can take a coaching approach to improve the process and create more meaningful engagement
Whether you are beginning the performance review cycle — or rethinking it entirely — this webinar will provide practical insights and valuable approaches to support better conversations.
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow!
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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Thanks for listening!
Over the past three weeks in the Coaching Café we have been privileged to focus on CEOs who are leading the way with coaching.
The series features conversations with CEOs, who are not only supporting coaching in their organisations, but actively role modelling a coaching approach—whether through undertaking coach training themselves, embedding coaching into leadership practice, or enabling a broader culture of coaching. The intention of this series is to share practical insights from leaders who are “walking the talk”.
This week we are pleased to welcome Dr Ricki Smith, CEO of Access Care Network Australia (ACNA) to hear perspectives from another very different industry: aged care.
Join Dr Natalie Ashdown as she interviews Ricki to explore topics such as:
✔️ How coaching forms part of her leadership style ✔️ Why coaching matters in her organisation ✔️ What she has observed in terms of impact, performance, and engagement ✔️ Other insights/observations that she would like to share about coaching in the workplace.
Join us for this inspirational conversation as we consider what becomes possible when coaching is championed at the very top of an organisation.
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow!
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!
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Thanks for listening!
Over the past two weeks in the Coaching Café we have been privileged to focus on CEOs who are leading the way with coaching.
The series features conversations with CEOs, who are not only supporting coaching in their organisations, but actively role modelling a coaching approach—whether through undertaking coach training themselves, embedding coaching into leadership practice, or enabling a broader culture of coaching. The intention of this series is to share practical insights from leaders who are “walking the talk”.
This week we are pleased to welcome Pat Cooper, CEO of HVCCC and former Group Captain Air Force, to share a unique perspective that spans over 10 years (since his coach training with Open Door) and across two very different organisations.
Join Dr Natalie Ashdown as she interviews Pat to explore topics such as:
✔️ How coaching forms part of your leadership style ✔️ Why coaching matters in your organisation ✔️ What you’ve observed in terms of impact, performance, and engagement ✔️ Other insights/observations you would like to share about coaching in the workplace
Join us for this inspirational conversation as we consider what becomes possible when coaching is championed at the very top of an organisation.
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow!
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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Thanks for listening!
Last week in the Coaching Café kicked off a very special Coaching Café series focused on CEOs who are leading the way with coaching.
The series features conversations with CEOs, who are not only supporting coaching in their organisations, but actively role modelling a coaching approach—whether through undertaking coach training themselves, embedding coaching into leadership practice, or enabling a broader culture of coaching. The intention of this series is to share practical insights from leaders who are “walking the talk”.
Last week we spoke with Martin Mercer from the education sector—this week we shift industries to hear from Ash Woodcock of RPM Hire, leaders in traffic management equipment.
Join Dr Natalie Ashdown as she interviews Ash to explore topics such as:
✔️ How coaching forms part of your leadership style ✔️ Why coaching matters in your organisation ✔️ What you’ve observed in terms of impact, performance, and engagement ✔️ Other insights/observations you would like to share about coaching in the workplace.
Join us for this inspirational conversation as we consider what becomes possible when coaching is championed at the very top of an organisation.
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow!
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!
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Thanks for listening!
This week in the Coaching Café we are delighted to announce the start of a very special Coaching Café series focused on CEOs who are leading the way with coaching. This series is to celebrate International Coaching Week in May (but we are spreading out the celebrations over the month J).
This series will feature conversations with leaders, who are not only supporting coaching in their organisations, but actively role modelling a coaching approach—whether through undertaking coach training themselves, embedding coaching into leadership practice, or enabling a broader culture of coaching. The intention of this series is to share practical insights from leaders who are “walking the talk”. Our series kicks off with (our very own CEO) Martin Mercer, CEO of the Scentia group of companies that includes AIM, AIM Business School, ACHW, IECL and Open Door.
Join Dr Natalie Ashdown as she interviews Martin to explore topics such as:
✔️ How coaching forms part of your leadership style ✔️ Why coaching matters in your organisation ✔️ What you’ve observed in terms of impact, performance, and engagement ✔️ Other insights/observations you would like to share about coaching in the workplace.
Join us for this inspirational conversation as we consider what becomes possible when coaching is championed at the very top of an organisation.
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow!
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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Thanks for listening!
Every year, we wait for the release of the Gallup State of the Global Workplace Report.
Not just to see the data—but to understand whether, as a global collective, we are making a difference. This year, the headlines are once again hard to ignore.
Engagement is down. Managers are struggling.
Global employee engagement has fallen to 20%, the lowest level since 2020, with declines continuing for a second consecutive year.
And yet… that is not always what we are seeing in practice.
In the organisations we have the privilege to work with, there are examples of high engagement, strong leadership, and thriving cultures.
So what’s really going on?
This week, we move beyond the clickbait headlines and take a closer look at the nuances within the data—because there is something that does not make sense and that’s where the real insight sits.
Join us as we explore:
✔️ What the 2026 Global Workplace Report is really telling us ✔️ Why manager engagement is the critical lever (and why it’s declining) ✔️ The disconnect between AI investment and real workplace outcomes ✔️ What leaders and coaches can actually do to make a difference
This is not about reacting to the headlines.
It’s about understanding the human side of performance—and the role coaching plays in shaping it.
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow!
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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What does it really take to pass the ICF credential exams?
Recently, our very own Paula Jones-Hunt successfully passed her PCC exam, and late last year Brigitte Calvert achieved her MCC credential. Fresh from the combined experience of preparation, pressure, and ultimately the relief and satisfaction of passing, they are taking time out to share their reflections.
This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from coaches who have just been through the process—with insights that are current, practical, and grounded in real experience.
Whether you are actively preparing for your ACC, PCC, or MCC, or simply thinking about your next step in your coaching journey, this session will help you better understand what’s required and how to approach it.
Join Paula and Brigitte as they unpack their experience and answer your questions.
You’ll walk away with:
✔️ Insights into what it takes to successfully pass the ICF credential exams ✔️ Practical tips for preparing for the PCC and MCC assessments ✔️ What to expect on the day—and how to manage the pressure ✔️ Key reflections on why the effort to credential is so important
This podcast was recorded on the 27th of March 2026.
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow!
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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As AI becomes more embedded in the workplace, questions are no longer just about capability—they are about ethics, responsibility, and professional practice.
Following our exploration of AI and coaching last week, this week we turn our attention to the ethical implications of using AI in coaching and leadership.
- What does it mean to use AI responsibly in coaching conversations?
- Where are the boundaries between support and over-reliance?
- How do we ensure that coaching remains human-centred, confidential, and ethically grounded?
These are not future questions—they are current realities.
As coaches and leaders, we are required to exercise sound judgment, maintain trust, and uphold professional standards. The introduction of AI into our work challenges us to think carefully about confidentiality, bias, decision-making, and the role of human insight.
Join Natalie and expert panelist Lu Ngo, Head of Digital Skills Programs, Australian Institute of Management (AIM) as we explore the ethical considerations of AI in coaching practice.
You’ll walk away with:
✔️ Key ethical considerations when using AI in coaching and leadership ✔️ How AI intersects with the ICF Code of Ethics and Core Competencies ✔️ Risks related to confidentiality, bias, and decision-making ✔️ Practical guidance for maintaining ethical coaching practice in an AI-enabled world
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow!
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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Apologies for mistake in the previous upload.
As AI continues to reshape how we work, it is also beginning to influence how we think, decide, and lead.
In our recent Coaching Café, it was no surprise that we identified AI as one of the most significant trends shaping coaching and leadership conversations in 2026. The question is no longer “Is AI relevant?”—it’s “What should we, as coaches and leaders, be paying attention to?”
AI is changing how information is accessed, how decisions are made, and how quickly solutions can be generated. At the same time, it raises important questions about thinking, judgment, learning, and human capability.
This is where coaching becomes even more important.
Coaching helps individuals move beyond quick answers to deeper thinking. It supports reflection, challenges assumptions, and ensures that AI enhances—rather than replaces—human capability.
Join Natalie and expert panelist Lu Ngo, Head of Digital Skills Programs, Australian Institute of Management (AIM) as we kick off a new series of the Coaching Café and explore what AI means for coaching practice and leadership.
You’ll walk away with:
✔️ A clear understanding of how AI is influencing coaching and leadership conversations
✔️ What coaches and leaders should be focusing on in an AI-enabled workplace
✔️ The risks of over-reliance on AI—and how coaching mitigates them
✔️ Practical ways to integrate AI awareness into your coaching conversations
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow!
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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Correction- We will be back next week!
In our first Coaching Café series for the year, we’ve explored the leadership capabilities that matter most in 2026—from trends in coaching and leadership, to performance conversations, psychological safety, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and innovation.
This week, the Coaching Café is still on a short break—but we didn’t want to move straight into the next series without hearing from you.
The Coaching Café is built for you. It’s a space for all of us to learn, reflect, and grow together. So before we shape what’s next, we’d love to know:
· What coaching or leadership topics would you most like us to explore?
· What conversations are you having—or needing to have—in your workplace right now?
· What would be most helpful for your own development as a coach or leader?
We invite you to write back to us and share your ideas. Your input will help shape future Coaching Café sessions and ensure we continue focusing on what matters most.
We’ll be back next week with the next Coaching Café series—shaped by the conversations that matter to you.
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow!
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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Across our first Coaching Café series, we’ve explored the leadership capabilities organisations are prioritising for 2026 and beyond—from psychological safety and emotional intelligence, to critical thinking in the age of AI.
This week, we turn our attention to innovation.
Innovation is consistently identified as a top leadership capability, yet many organisations struggle to create the conditions where new ideas can emerge, be tested, and be sustained. Innovation requires more than creativity—it relies on trust, curiosity, challenge, and the willingness to think differently.
This is where coaching plays a critical role.
A coaching approach enables leaders and teams to question assumptions, explore new perspectives, and move beyond habitual ways of thinking. It supports innovation not as a one-off initiative, but as an ongoing capability embedded in everyday conversations and decision-making.
Join Natalie and Paula as we explore innovation through a coaching lens.
You’ll walk away with:
✔️ What innovation really means as a leadership capability ✔️ The conditions required for innovation to thrive in organisations ✔️ How coaching enables curiosity, experimentation, and new thinking ✔️ Practical ways leaders and coaches can foster innovation at work
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow!
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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So far in the Coaching Café Podcast 2026, we’ve explored the trends shaping leadership, performance conversations, psychological safety, and emotional intelligence as a core leadership capability.
This week, we turn our attention to critical thinking—increasingly recognised as an essential capability as organisations rapidly adopt AI, automation, and new technologies.
As AI accelerates decision-making and access to information, the real challenge for leaders is not having answers, but thinking well. Critical thinking enables leaders and teams to question assumptions, interpret information thoughtfully, make sound judgments, and avoid simply outsourcing thinking to systems and tools.
This is where coaching plays a vital role.
A coaching approach slows the conversation down just enough to create space for reflection, challenge, and deeper thinking. It helps leaders and teams move beyond quick answers to considered decisions—especially in complex, fast-moving environments.
Join Natalie and Paula as we explore how coaching enables critical thinking at work.
You’ll walk away with:
✔️ What critical thinking really means in today’s workplace ✔️ Why critical thinking is more important than ever in the age of AI ✔️ How coaching supports better thinking, judgment, and decision-making ✔️ A practical framework for developing critical thinking through coaching
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow!
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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So far in the Coaching Café Podcast 2026, we’ve explored the trends shaping coaching and leadership, the importance of strong performance conversations, and the role of psychological safety in building trust and engagement.
This week, we turn our attention to emotional intelligence—consistently identified as one of the most critical leadership capabilities in today’s workplaces.
As work becomes more complex, pressured, and human, leaders are increasingly expected to navigate emotions—their own and others’—with awareness, empathy, and skill. Emotional intelligence underpins how leaders communicate, build trust, handle performance conversations, and create psychologically safe environments.
This is where coaching plays a powerful role.
Coaching creates the space for reflection, self-awareness, perspective-taking, and behaviour change—key elements of emotional intelligence. It supports leaders to respond rather than react, and to lead in ways that strengthen relationships and performance.
Join Paula as we explore emotional intelligence through a coaching lens.
You’ll walk away with:
✔️ A clear understanding of emotional intelligence and why it matters now more than ever ✔️ How emotional intelligence shows up in everyday leadership and performance conversations ✔️ The role coaching plays in developing emotional intelligence ✔️ Practical ways to support leaders to build emotional intelligence at work
This is your space to stay informed, reflect on practice, and connect coaching to what’s happening in real workplaces—right now.
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow!
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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Thanks for listening!
Over the past two weeks, we’ve explored the trends shaping coaching and leadership conversations in 2026 and the critical role performance conversations play in starting the year with clarity and focus.
This week, we go one layer deeper.
Workplaces continue to place strong emphasis on psychological safety—and for good reason. Psychological safety builds trust, supports engagement, and enables honest, productive performance conversations. Without it, even well-intended conversations can fall flat.
This is where coaching plays a vital role.
Coaching creates the conditions for people to speak up, reflect, and take ownership—making it a powerful enabler of psychological safety. And as leaders, it is incumbent upon us to create environments where people feel safe to have meaningful conversations about performance, growth, and expectations.
Join Natalie and Paula as we explore the connection between psychological safety, performance conversations, and coaching.
You’ll walk away with:
✔️ A clear understanding of psychological safety and why it matters ✔️ How psychological safety enables strong performance conversations ✔️ The role coaching plays in building trust and engagement ✔️ Practical ways leaders and coaches can foster psychological safety at work
This is your space to stay informed, reflect on practice, and connect coaching to what’s happening in real workplaces—right now.
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow!
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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Last week, we kicked off Coaching Café Podcast for 2026 by exploring the key trends shaping coaching and leadership conversations this year. One theme stood out clearly: the quality of performance conversations matters more than ever.
This week, we turn our focus to performance conversations and their critical role in setting direction, building engagement, and creating momentum at the start of the year.
Research consistently shows that when performance conversations are done well, employees are more engaged, more productive, and clearer about what’s expected of them. When they’re done poorly—or avoided altogether—engagement suffers and performance declines. That’s why, as leaders and coaches, we have a responsibility to partner with managers and help them get this right.
Join Natalie and Paula as we explore how coaching can elevate performance conversations and support leaders to start the year with intention and focus.
You’ll walk away with:
✔️ The research that explains why performance conversations are so important
✔️ The key focus areas that make these conversations meaningful and effective
✔️ A practical coaching framework you can use straight away—one we know makes a real difference
This is your space to stay informed, reflect on practice, and connect coaching to what’s happening in real workplaces—right now.
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow!
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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Thanks for listening!
Our newly refreshed Coaching Café Podcast kicks off 2026 with our annual crystal ball on trends in coaching and leadership conversations.
Each year, we start by asking a simple question: What’s going to be at the forefront of coaching and leadership conversations this year?
So, we stare into our double espresso coffee cups—and the latest research—to bring you our predictions for the conversations, trends, and challenges shaping workplaces right now. We explore what’s on the minds of leaders, what coaches are being asked to support, and what to stay alert to as the year unfolds.
By exploring these trends, you’ll gain insight into the latest thinking and how it’s likely to show up in real coaching and leadership conversations in 2026.
You’ll walk away with:
✔️ The key coaching and leadership trends shaping 2026 ✔️ Insights into the conversations leaders are having—or avoiding ✔️ Emerging challenges and capability gaps to watch for ✔️ Ideas you can apply immediately in your coaching and leadership practice
Join Natalie (yes, Dr Natalie Ashdown 😉) and Paula as they kick off the Coaching Café year with insight, curiosity, and practical relevance. This is your space to stay informed, reflect on practice, and connect coaching to what’s happening in real workplaces—right now.
We’re delighted to be back and look forward to learning, sharing, and making a difference together in 2026.
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Also drop the podcast a follow!
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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In our final Coaching Café Podcast for the year, we take a moment to reflect on what has been another extraordinary series.
In 2025, we’ve explored everything from Trends in Coaching and the ICF Credentialing Exam, to the Gallup State of the Global Workplace Report, coaching for performance conversations, coaching and psychological safety, the new ICF Core Competencies, and of course, our much-loved Coaching in Action series featuring PCC and MCC-level demonstrations. All with free Continuing Coach Education (CCE’s) attached.
Across over 30 Coaching Café Podcasts, with only a handful of breaks, you have joined us from all around the world —to connect, learn, and reflect on coaching practice and the profession…and of course to give us the weekly global weather report!
This week, we celebrate the year that was:
✔️ A countdown of our most popular Coaching Café podcasts of 2025
✔️ The themes and topics that sparked the most conversation
✔️ Insights and moments that shaped our collective learning
✔️ A look ahead to what’s coming in 2026
Whether you’ve joined us every week or tuned in occasionally, this final Coaching Café podcast is your chance to pause, reflect, and celebrate our global coaching community.
Let’s swap the coffee for a glass of champagne and celebrate the difference we’ve made—together.
Transcripts can be found here:
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As we approach the end of the year for the Coaching Café Podcast, we continue to share valuable insights for our coaching community. The 2025 ICF Global Coaching Study Final Report has just been released, offering one of the most comprehensive views of the global coaching profession to date.
Featuring data gathered from over 10,000 coaches worldwide—including, importantly, managers and leaders who coach—this 73-page report provides a rich picture of where the coaching industry stands today and where it’s heading.
We know many coaches don’t have time to read the full report, and that’s where we come in.
Join us for this Coaching Café Podcast as we synthesise the key highlights, focusing on what’s most relevant for Australia, New Zealand, and the Asia-Pacific region, while also exploring the global trends shaping the coaching profession for our international followers.
You’ll walk away with:
✔️ The latest data on industry growth, trends, and demographics
✔️ Insights into coaching opportunities in our region
✔️ A global perspective on the evolution of the coaching profession including managers and leaders as coaches
✔️ Inspiration to help you feel a part of the global coaching profession.
Whether you’re an experienced coach, a manager or leader who coaches, or an emerging practitioner, this session will help you stay informed, inspired, and connected to the wider profession.
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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This week, a short message from Natalie recaping the past couple of weeks of the Coaching Cafe Podcast. We will be back next week with a new Coaching Cafe Podcast!
Also shiny new podcast logo! oooooo, let us know what you think via email or social media! Should we bring back the old one or is this a much needed upgrade!
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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As you will be aware the ICF Core Competencies have been revised and during the Coaching Cafe Podcasts we have been diving deeper into some of the more thought-provoking changes. Some are simple to understand, while others invite us—as coaches—to pause and reflect.
This week, we turn our attention to one of the more controversial updates: the introduction of the word ‘knowledge’ in the revised ICF Core Competencies.
The updated competency now states that the coach “shares observations, knowledge, and feelings, without attachment, that have the potential to create new insights for the client.”
But what does this really mean? How do we interpret “knowledge” within the coaching partnership? Does this blur the line between coaching, mentoring, and consulting—or does it expand our understanding of what’s possible in coaching?
Join us for this Coaching Café Podcast as we explore:
✔️ The context and intent behind this update to the ICF Core Competencies
✔️ How “knowledge” aligns with the ICF definition of coaching
✔️ What this means for your coaching practice and ethical boundaries
✔️ How to share knowledge without attachment—and still evoke awareness
Whether you’re an experienced practitioner or a new coach, this session will challenge your thinking and help you navigate what “knowledge” means in professional coaching today.
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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What is your coaching philosophy? A deeper dive into the ICF Core Competency changes
Recently, we shared the significant updates to the new ICF Core Competenciesand over the coming weeks, we’ll be diving deeper into some of the key changes. Some of these updates are straightforward, others more controversial—and many invite deeper reflection from us as coaches.
This week on the podcast, we explore a question that sits at the heart of our workplace and professional coaching: What is your coaching philosophy?
Your coaching philosophy shapes how you show up, partner with clients, and embody the ICF Core Competencies in every conversation. It reflects your beliefs about human potential, change, and learning—and it evolves as your coaching practice grows.
Join us for this Coaching Café Podcast as we explore:
✔️ What a coaching philosophy is and why it matters
✔️ How to articulate your unique coaching philosophy
✔️ How your philosophy connects to the ICF Core Competencies and ethical practice
✔️ Ways to reflect on and refine your philosophy as your coaching matures
Whether you’re a new coach or an experienced practitioner, this podcast will help you reconnect with what defines you as a coach—and what guides your practice.
NOTE: We found the defnition of Coaching Philosophy in the Glossary of the updated competencies! "The underlying theory, beliefs and principles, that guide a coach's practice and interactions with clients"
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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How coaching enables psychological safety in the workplace
This week on the coaching cafe podcast, as part of our focus on mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, we’re exploring the powerful link between coaching and psychological safety.
Psychological safety is the shared belief that it’s safe to speak up, share ideas, ask questions, and admit mistakes—without fear of judgment or repercussion. It’s the foundation of healthy, high-performing teams.
So why is psychological safety so important? Because when people feel safe, they can learn, innovate, and perform at their best. And when leaders and managers adopt a coaching mindset, they help create that safety.
This week on the Coaching Café podcast, join Paula as we unpack:
✔️ What psychological safety really means in the workplace
✔️ Why it’s essential for mental health, performance, and engagement
✔️ How coaching enables psychological safety through trust, curiosity, and empathy
Whether you’re a leader, a coach, or someone passionate about workplace wellbeing, this Coaching Café is your opportunity to reflect on how coaching behaviours build safe spaces where people can thrive.
Transcripts can be found here:
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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Last Friday was World Mental Health Day!
We want to acknowledge that you—or someone you know—may be experiencing challenges with mental health. We recognise that as leaders, coaches, colleagues and friends, we all have a role to play in enabling strong mental health in our workplaces and breaking down the barriers to having mental health conversations.
Join Paula on the Coaching Café Podcast this week as we discuss the barriers to mental health conversations and simple steps we can take to overcome those barriers.
We also encourage you to take the time for your own wellbeing. Take 30 minutes to focus on your mental health—whatever that looks like for you. Walk, talk, catch up with a colleague, listen to music, laugh, run, jump, breathe, meditate…whatever it is—now is the time.
Let’s honour World Mental Health Day by putting conversations and wellbeing first.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
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This week on the Podcast! The new ICF Core Competencieshave just been released, reflecting how coaching practice has evolved since the 2019 update. However, one word in the update is causing concern across coaching educators and practitioners, making social media light up! That word is: knowledge.
Whilst no new main competencies have been added, five new sub-competencies have been added along with 11 revisions to existing sub-competencies. Understanding these changes is essential if we are to ensure our alignment with the profession and the international standards that guide it.
Therefore, join Natalie and Brigette on the podcast we unpack the changes and summarise:
✔️ What are the major changes to the ICF Core Competencies?
✔️ Why the word knowledge is causing so much concern?
✔️ What do the updates mean for your coaching practice?
Whether you are new to coaching or an experience practitioner, keeping up to date with the ICF Core Competencies is a must. Join us as we continue our professional development as coaches.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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In the Coaching Café Podcast last week, we listened to the first half of a coaching demonstration focused on the highest level of coaching competency - the MCC level of coaching. We invited you to tune in deeply—listening for presence, partnership, curiosity, evoking awareness, and how the coach explored thinking at a deeper level.
This week, we listen to and debrief the second half of the session.
Whether you’re preparing for a credential or simply want to take your coaching to the next level, this is a powerful learning opportunity.
Let’s listen. Let’s reflect. Let’s grow—together.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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This week on the Coaching Café Podcast , we are continuing our deep dive into our coaching practice with another coaching demonstration—this time we have the privilege of listening to coaching at the highest level of ICF credential, an MCC-level coaching demonstration.
This week’s Coaching Café Podcast is another chance to listen deeply—not to judge, but to grow. We invite you to reflect on what you hear, observe how the ICF Core Competencies come to life, with a particular emphasis on identifying what raises a conversation to the MCC level.
We will listen to the first half of the session and then debrief the session together.
Next week, we’ll come together to listen to the second half of the session and discuss how to apply these insights in your own coaching.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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In the Coaching Café Podcast last week, we listened to the first half of a coaching demonstration focused on the PCC level of coaching competency. We invited you to tune in deeply—listening for presence, partnership, curiosity, evoking awareness, and how the coach explored thinking at a deeper level.
This week, we will listen to the second half of the session and debrief what you heard.
Join us as we reflect on the conversation and explore:
✔️ What coaching at the PCC level really sounds like
✔️ How the ICF Core Competencies were demonstrated
✔️ What deep presence and partnership actually sounds like in practice
✔️ How you can apply these insights to grow your own coaching
Whether you’re preparing for a credential or simply want to take your coaching to the next level, this is a powerful learning opportunity.
Let’s listen. Let’s reflect. Let’s grow—together.
🎯 Continuing our professional development as coaches.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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This week in the Coaching Café Podcast, we are continuing our deep dive into our coaching practice with another coaching demonstration—where we are particularly listening for PCC-level coaching competencies.
This is your opportunity to listen again with intention and curiosity. What does it sound like when a coach truly demonstrates:
🎧 Coaching presence
🎧 Evoking awareness
🎧 Digging under the surface
🎧 Creating metaphors
🎧 Exploring new thinking
🎧 Partnering—not leading
This week’s Coaching Café Podcast is another chance to listen deeply—not to judge, but to grow. We invite you to reflect on what you hear, observe how the ICF Core Competencies come to life, with a particular emphasis on identifying what raises a conversation to the PCC level.
Join Natalie and Brigitte as we listen to the first half of the session and then debrief the session together.
Next week, we’ll come together to listen to the second half of the session and discuss how to apply these insights in your own coaching.
🎯 Continuing our professional development as coaches.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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Last week, we invited you to sit back, tune in, and listen to a coaching demonstration—a real conversation designed to bring the ICF Core Competencies to life. We listened to and debriefed the first half of the coaching session.
This week, we listen to and debrief the second half of the session
Join us as we unpack the coaching conversation together and explore:
✔️ How the ICF Core Competencies showed up in real time
✔️ What stands out to you about presence, partnership, listening, or questioning?
✔️ How did the coach uphold the ICF Core Competencies?
✔️ Where are the opportunities to deepen the learning?
✔️ What you can apply in your own coaching conversations?
This Coaching Café is a hands-on learning opportunity for all coaches. Let’s explore how we grow when we listen closely, reflect and debrief —together.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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Over the past few Coaching Cafés, we’ve explored the ICF Core Competencies through the lens of assessment: what competent coaching looks like at ACC and PCC levels, and what can lead to an instant fail.
Over the next few Coaching Cafés, we invite you to shift from talking about coaching… to experiencing coaching in action.
This week join us for a recorded coaching demonstration, where you’ll have the chance to:
🎧 Listen to a coaching conversation
🎧 Observe how the ICF Core Competencies come to life in real time
🎧 Reflect on what you notice about establishing the coaching agreement, partnership, and curiosity
This is a valuable opportunity to tune in, compare your observations with ICF standards, and deepen your learning through listening to an experienced coach.
A chance to listen deeply and then debrief together.
This week we listen to half of the coaching session, then, we will debrief the session and unpack what you heard. The following week we listen to the second half of the session – so you don’t want to miss this one.
🎯 Raising the bar for ourselves as coaches.
Editor's note. Approx 2 mins of silence in total was removed. Natalie gave the coachee time to really contemplate their answers.
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So far in this Coaching Café series, we’ve explored what competent coaching looks like at the ACC and PCC levels. In this Podcast, we’re flipping the perspective and asking an equally important question:
What constitutes an instant fail in a coaching conversation—or during a credentialing exam?
This Podcast is not about fear—it’s about sharpening our coaching awareness.
✨ What are the behaviours that assessors flag as “not yet competent” right away?
✨ What coaching practices break the partnership—or move away from core competency?
✨ How can we tighten up our coaching approach to avoid these common pitfalls?
Join Brigitte Calvert, Open Door’s Learning and Development Manager and long-standing ICF assessor, as she shares insights from years of assessing coaching conversations across all levels.
Hosted by Natalie Ashdown, this Café is your chance to:
✔️ Learn what leads to an instant fail in ICF credential assessments
✔️ Spot these pitfalls in your own coaching practice
✔️ Make small, powerful changes that protect the coaching partnership and elevate your competence
Whether you're preparing for credentialing or simply want to coach with greater impact, this is a Coaching Café you won’t want to miss.
Let’s raise the standard—together.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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Thanks for listening!
Last week we kicked off our new Coaching Café season by exploring what competent coaching looks like at the ACC level. This week, we’re taking it up a notch as we unpack PCC-level coaching—and what it truly means to coach at that next level.
✨ What distinguishes a competent coach from a PCC coach?
✨ What does it sound like when you're coaching at the PCC level?
✨ What are the most common things that hold coaches back from reaching PCC standards?
Hosted by Paula Jones-Hunt, join us as Brigitte Calvert, Open Door’s Learning and Development Manager and long-time ICF assessor, shares her perspective from listening to and evaluating hundreds of coaching demonstrations at the PCC level.
This session will help you:
✔️ Understand the jump in depth and complexity expected at PCC
✔️ Recognise how mindset, presence and partnership evolve at this level
✔️ Identify your own development priorities if you're working toward PCC—or want to deepen your coaching
Whether you're actively preparing for your credential, mentoring other coaches, or simply want to elevate your coaching practice, this Coaching Café is packed with insights.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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Thanks for listening!
After focusing on how we coach others in the past series, we’re now turning the lens inward. In this new Coaching Café series, we shift the focus to our own coaching development - starting with a deep dive into the ACC level of competency.
✨ What does competent coaching look like, sound like, and feel like?
✨ What behaviours or practices might be deemed not yet competent under the ICF Core Competencies?
✨ Would your coaching be assessed as competent against international standards?
This week, you’ll have the unique opportunity to learn from Open Door’s Learning and Development Manager, Brigitte Calvert.
With over 20 years of experience as an ICF assessor, Brigitte brings expert insights from listening to and giving feedback on hundreds of coaching demonstrations. Along with insights from Paula Jones-Hunt, you’ll get clear, practical insights into what makes a coach competent - and what doesn’t.
Whether you’re working toward your ACC or want to refine your coaching at any level, this session will help you:
✔️ Understand how coaching is assessed at ACC level
✔️ Recognise the difference between competent and not-yet-competent coaching
✔️ Identify a few key areas to focus your own development
🎯 Let’s start the new season by raising the bar for ourselves as coaches.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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Over the past few weeks, we’ve focused our Coaching Café series on one of the most critical leadership and coaching opportunities: annual performance conversations.
We’ve explored:
✔️ How performance conversations can build engagement
✔️ How coaching shifts under-performance
✔️ How to prepare better questions
✔️ How to coach through the tricky conversations
✔️ How strengths-based conversations can create a 36% uplift in performance
Now it’s time to bring it all together.
This Coaching Café is your chance to take stock, reflect, and finish strong. Whether you’ve already had your conversations, are still in the middle of them, or are preparing for future discussions - this session will help you refine your approach and apply the coaching mindset with confidence.
Join Natalie and Paula as they share:
💬 Key takeaways from the Coaching Café series
💬 The biggest lessons for making performance conversations meaningful
💬 Practical coaching reminders you can apply year-round
💬 How coaching conversations are the key to building ongoing engagement and performance
Let’s bring home performance season strong - and set your coaching conversations up for success all year long.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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Recently, during a workshop, a manager said what many others are thinking: “It’s not all rainbows and lollipops. What if they are under performing? What do you do then?”
The frustration was real, and it is common. This was a manager doing their best to support an employee but unsure what else to try; and they needed more strategies, and wanted to understand how coaching might help.
With this in mind, we continue our focus on annual performance review season in this week’s Coaching Café Pocast.
So far, we’ve explored how these conversations can build engagement in the workplace; frameworks and tips to set up conversations for success; strengths-based conversations and the trickier conversations.
This week, join Natalie and Paulaas we explore one of the most challenging topics: how a coaching approach can shift under performance.
You’ll walk away with:
- A coaching mindset/approach to address under performance constructively
- Strategies for reframing these conversations to build ownership
- Practical tools from Open Door you can use immediately
Whether you’re designing performance conversations, coaching managers, or coaching an employee – you will benefit from learning how to coach around under performance.
If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each Tuesday.
If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café Podcast, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development. In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Tuesdays, just like we all do!
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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We continue our focus on annual performance review season in this week’s Coaching Café Podcast and how these conversations can build engagement in the workplace. So far, we’ve shared frameworks and tips to set up conversations for success. Now it’s time to talk about the trickier conversations.
A frustrated manager recently asked us:
“What do you do about people who think they’re meeting expectations, but they aren’t?
Or worse, they don’t have goals. They’re not engaged. They’re just working to retirement. You still have to write something on the form!”
We hear this all the time and it’s exactly where coaching can help.
This week, join Natalie and Paulaas we explore how a coaching approach can shift even the most challenging performance conversations.
You’ll walk away with:
- An understanding of how/why conversations become difficult
- Strategies for reframing these conversations
- A practical tool from Open Door you can use right away
Whether you’re designing performance conversations, coaching managers, or facing your own review – you will benefit from learning how to coach through the difficult conversations.
If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each Tuesday.
If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café Podcast, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development. In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Tuesdays, just like we all do!
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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Thanks for listening!
Performance conversations aren’t just a HR requirement – they are an opportunity to drive real engagement.
Research shows that when managers focus on strengths during performance conversations, it can lead to a 36.5% uplift in performance. That’s not all - engagement increases, productivity rises, and absenteeism drops.
When we first came across this data years ago, we said, “Tell us more!” It was the beginning of our commitment to a strengths-based approach to coaching and one that has grown in relevance as we look at the low engagement scores across our workplaces.
Today, workplaces are under pressure. People feel tired, under-valued, and stretched. But this is exactly where coaching makes the difference. Especially when it comes to the annual performance review.
Therefore, join Natalie and Paula for our Coaching Café Podcast this week as we share:
- The power of strengths-based conversations
- How coaching shifts the tone of performance reviews
- Practical tools to help your team leave energised - not deflated
And we turn performance reviews into a genuine engagement strategy.
If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each Tuesday.
If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development. . In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Tuesday lunchtimes, just like we all do!
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here!
Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials
- Check out the YouTube Video of this podcast.
- YouTube
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
International Coach Week: Your chance to hear from an inspirational leader
This year, the International Coaching Federation (ICF) marks its 30th anniversary – 30 years of inspiring change through coaching and setting the standards for our profession.
It’s the perfect week to celebrate who we are as coaches – and to recognise the difference each of us makes as part of the Open Door Alumni.
In terms of making a difference, this year we have the opportunity to learn from Hayley Goldsmith from who is currently serving as a Clinical Team Leader at Victoria Police.
Join Natalie as she interviews Hayley on her remarkable career and how she has applied coaching in very different contexts, from ANZ Bank to her current role at Victoria Police.
Join us for the special presentation for International Coach Week.
About Hayley
With over 22 years of professional experience and a decade specialising in leadership coaching, Hayley is passionate about empowering individuals and teams to reach their full potential.
Currently serving as a Clinical Team Leader at Victoria Police, Hayley brings a unique blend of leadership, coaching and clinical expertise to her work. Hayley is passionate about coaching, mental health support and initiatives and the well-being of others.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here!
Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials
- Check out the YouTube Video of this podcast.
- YouTube
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
Is the annual performance conversation season a chance to turn around engagement?
Last week kicked off our new Coaching Café Podcast series by unpacking the newly released Gallup State of the Global Workplace Report for 2025.
But the headlines are hard to ignore:
- Is the global workplace at breaking point?
- Employee engagement on the brink (of collapse)
- Management engagement falls from 30% to 27% (no other worker category has experienced as significant decline).
This round of Coaching Cafés Podcasts we are focusing on enabling effective performance conversations. Understandably, this might feel worrying for some managers, given low engagement scores.
However, we believe there is a real opportunity. If done right, the annual performance conversation season could be a chance for many managers to begin the turnaround of employee engagement.
Therefore, join Natalie and Paula as we explore:
💡 How to approach performance conversations as a catalyst for engagement
💡 Why traditional performance reviews often miss the mark
💡 Coaching strategies to make annual conversations more meaningful
Let’s focus on enabling effective performance conversations …and see how coaching can make a difference.
If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each Tuesday.
If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café Podcast, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development. In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Tuesdays, just like we all do!
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here!
Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials
- Check out the YouTube Video of this podcast.
- YouTube
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
The Gallup State of the Global Workplace 2025 report has just landed.
Call us nerds, but we dropped everything to download it. Like many, we hoped to see improvements in global workplace engagement. After all, increasing engagement feels like a shared crusade among leaders, coaches, and organisations alike.
Now join Natalie and Paula as they kick off a new series of Coaching Cafe Podcasts. This series will focus on enabling effective performance conversations - which may be a worrying time for some, given low engagement scores. But first let’s get a handle on the current state of our workforce in today's podcast.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast
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Thanks for listening!
This week Natalie reflects on ANZAC day.
For those unfamiliar with the day, ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and the day commemorates the 25th of April 1915, the day the Anzac's landed in Gallipoli in the 1st world war. While the day was originally intended to honour the over 8,000 lives lost in the campaign, the day now honours all service people who have lost their lives to war.
Lest we forget.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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Thanks for listening!
Over the past few weeks, we’ve explored ethics in coaching through the lens of the ICF Core Competencies - not just as a checkbox for membership renewal, but as a lived practice.
We’ve explored:
✔️ Our own ethical decision-making as coaches
✔️ Stakeholder agreements & confidentiality
✔️ The ethical use of AI in coaching
Now join Natalie and Paula our final Coaching Café Podcast in this series, as we open the floor to your biggest ethical questions in coaching.
💡 What are the ethical dilemmas you’ve faced in your coaching practice?
💡 How do you navigate ethical grey areas (if any) when coaching in organisations?
💡 What questions do you have for us?
This is a chance to reflect, challenge, and strengthen our ethical coaching practice. Let’s make it an insightful, engaging, and valuable conversation!
If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each Tuesday
If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café Podcast, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development. In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Tuesday lunchtimes, just like we all do!
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here!
Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials
- Check out the YouTube Video of this podcast.
- YouTube
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
AI in Coaching – A Practical Demonstration
Following our thought-provoking discussion on the ethical use of AI in coaching last week, it’s time to take the conversation further.
Can AI really improve coaching?
Can it assess coaching conversations against the ICF Core Competencies?
Can it even coach us on a topic?
In this Coaching Café Podcast, Natalie and Paula will move beyond theory and demonstrate AI in action. We will focus on:
✅ Using AI to enhance coaching – How AI can analyse coaching conversations and provide feedback based on ICF Core Competencies.
✅ AI as a coaching tool – Can AI hold a coaching conversation? Let’s put it to the test.
✅ What AI can’t do (yet!) – The limits of AI, why it won’t replace human coaches.
This session will be practical, and thought-provoking, giving you firsthand experience of AI’s role in coaching—while reinforcing the irreplaceable value of human connection.
Join us as we explore the possibilities… and the boundaries!
If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each Tuesday.
If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café Podcast, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development. In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Tuesda just like we all do!
You can also tell us the topics you want to hear about this year. Do this using the channels below.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here!
Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials
- Check out the YouTube Video of this podcast.
- YouTube
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
Ethical use of AI in Coaching – is it cheating?
I had just finished writing the new coaching assignment Ethical Use of AI in Coaching for our Certificate IV in Workplace and Business Coaching (11314NAT) program. The assignment requires students to analyse a transcript using an AI tool with the aim of improving the coaching.
And suddenly, the thought hit me: is this cheating?
As professional workplace coaches, we must stay ahead of industry developments. At the same time, we are deeply committed to ethical coaching practices. How do we balance both?
Join Natalie and Paula in this week’s Coaching Café Podcast as we kick off a new series exploring AI in Coaching. We’ll discuss:
✅ How AI can enhance coaching conversations
✅ Ethical considerations and boundaries in using AI
✅ Practical ways to integrate AI while maintaining professional integrity
Let’s navigate this evolving landscape together. See you there!
If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each week.
If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development. In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to the Tuesday release day, just like we all do!
You can also tell us the topics you want to hear about this year! Email us or contact us on social media if you'd like.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here!
Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials
- Check out the YouTube Video of this podcast.
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- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
The meeting was between myself, the HR Manager and the coachee’s manager and I was taking a brief about a potential coaching opportunity. The question was asked ‘so what kind of reporting do you do?’. I offered my standard response regarding confidentiality and who reports the outcomes of the coaching to whom.
But to be frank, since we have our standard responses, it is not something that we spend a lot of time thinking about. And at the same time, it made me realise how we never take for granted the nature of the confidential relationship between coach and coachee. And how important it is to navigate the requirements of stakeholders whilst maintaining confidentiality.
As professional workplace coaches, this is an important part of setting up the coaching agreement. In fact, it is written into the ICF Core Competency: Demonstrates Ethical Practice.
So this week on the Coaching Café Podcast, join Natalie and Paula as we continue our deeper dive into the ICF Core Competency of Demonstrates Ethical Practice and explore how to:
✔️ Maintain confidentiality in coaching
✔️ Navigate stakeholder agreements
✔️ Set clear expectations in coaching contracts
✔️ Respond to common questions about reporting
We’ll also provide a practical framework for handling conversations like the one above.
If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each Tuesday
If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café Podcast, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development. In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Tuesdays, just like we all do!
You can also tell us the topics you want to hear about this year by emailing us using the email below.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here!
Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials
- Check out the YouTube Video of this podcast.
- YouTube
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
You can’t coach everyone! Maintaining the distinction between coaching and other services
‘Coaching’s fine. And I’m not trying to be controversial. But you can’t coach everyone. I reckon most of my team I have to mentor them. And tell them what to do, because they have no idea.’
The comment was in response to a question I asked a group of managers, as part of our discussion about ‘what is coaching, and what is it not?’. I simply asked: ‘do you have any questions?’
It was obviously more of a statement, than a question. But what is interesting, is that this comment is very common. When we are coaching managers to move their mindset from ‘telling and directing’ to a coaching mindset, there is going to be resistance.
However, as professional workplace coaches, the distinction between coaching and other techniques is extremely important. In fact, it is written into the ICF Core Competency: Demonstrates Ethical Practice.
So this week on the Coaching Café Podcast, join Natalie and Paula as we continue our deeper dive into the ICF Core Competency of Demonstrates Ethical Practice and explore why maintaining clear boundaries between coaching and other leadership styles is essential.
Most importantly, we will provide a practical framework to help you:
✔️ Distinguish between coaching and other services
✔️ Respond to resistance from managers
✔️ Maintain ethical coaching practices
✔️ Apply the ICF Core Competencies in real-life scenarios
If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development. In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Tuesdays, just like we all do!
You can also tell us the topics you want to hear about this year. Contact us via our email to do so!
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here!
Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials
- Check out the YouTube Video of this podcast.
- YouTube
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
Many of us have received the ICF membership renewal email. The process is simple: click the link, accept the terms, select your currency and branch, and pay. If everything runs smoothly, it takes about five minutes—as long as you remember your password and don’t overthink “What do I get for my money?” (That’s a topic for another day! )
However, we encourage you NOT to just tick the box on the terms and conditions. Of course, my mum always said, “Never sign something you haven’t read.” But more importantly, when you check that box, you’re agreeing to abide by the ICF Code of Ethics and uphold the Core Values and Ethical Principles.
When was the last time you read the Code?
This isn’t clickbait—“Breaking news: Coaches refuse to sign the Code of Ethics!” Instead, it’s an invitation to pause, reflect, and reaffirm the principles that guide our practice as professional coaches.
Therefore, join us this week on the Coaching Café, as Natalie and Paula explore the ICF Code of Ethics and discuss how it shapes ethical coaching practices. Take this opportunity to revisit the Code, reflect on its meaning, and strengthen your commitment to professional coaching. We will explore:
Why the ICF Code of Ethics matters
How to apply ethical principles in coaching
The role of Core Values in professional practice
Key takeaways for coaching integrity
Don’t just tick the box—explore what it means to be an ethical coach!
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here!
Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials
- Check out the YouTube Video of this podcast.
- YouTube
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
At Open Door we get a lot of questions about the ICF Credential Exam. The Exam is an important component of applying for an ICF credential and all candidates for ACC, PCC or MCC are required to pass the Exam. The Exam is a tool to measure a coach’s knowledge of the ICF definition of coaching, ICF Core Competencies and ICF Code of Ethics.
According to the ICF, in 2023, 9,795 coaches sat the ICF Credentialling Exam, with 75% passing on their first attempt, 12% passing on the subsequent attempt. The overall pass rate was 87%.
Having recently passed the exam on her first attempt, we thought it might be a good opportunity to pick Paula’s brains about how to prepare for the test? What do I need to know? And gather any tips and advice.
Join Paula as she unravels the mystery around the ICF Credentialling Exam, offers her key tips and answers any questions***.
***Note we will not reveal any questions or answers, but we can offer ideas to assist you to feel confident.
If obtaining your credential is on your goals list for this year, this is a great webinar to tune into.
If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each Friday.
If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development. In addition, you have the opportunity to collect ICF CCEU’s for FREE. In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Friday lunchtimes, just like we all do!
You can also tell us the topics you want to hear about this year.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here!
Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials
- Check out the YouTube Video of this podcast.
- YouTube
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
Welcome to the Coaching Café series for 2025!
Not long ago we signed off for the year, with a recap on the trends in coaching that we predicated for 2024. And now here we are, gazing into our re-usable coffee cups and thinking about the important topics that we are likely to influence our workplaces and coaching this year and beyond.
As part of the re-accreditation process we conducted research to ensure that our programs meet the industry needs and the ongoing needs of organisations, leader and coaches for professional development. This research gave us insights into how coaching continues to evolve alongside the changing nature of work, leadership requirements and technology. And allowed us to update the programs accordingly.
Join Natalie and Paula to kick off a new and exciting year of Coaching Cafés; as we discuss the top trends that we predict will be raised during coaching conversations in the workplace and also gather your insights into key trends.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here!
Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast
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Thanks for listening!
As we wrap up 2024, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the coaching trends that have defined this year. At the beginning of the year, we shared our predictions and discussed the themes we expected to emerge in coaching. Now, after a busy year we’re excited to revisit these trends and look at how they’ve played out in real time.
Join us for the final Coaching Café of the year! We'll reflect on how coaching has influenced workplaces in 2024, share insights from our work, and discuss emerging themes that may shape coaching in the year to come. Let’s celebrate the progress made and prepare to embrace new opportunities in 2025.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials
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- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
As the end of the year approaches, now is the ideal time to reflect, reset, and set meaningful goals. But it’s not just about making resolutions; it’s about creating sustainable plans that align with our values and drive us forward.
Join us for this Coaching Café, where we’ll explore effective goal-setting strategies that go beyond typical New Year’s resolutions. Together, we’ll discuss tools for gaining clarity, setting actionable intentions, and building the momentum you need to make real progress in 2025. Let’s start the year with purpose and set ourselves up for success!"
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
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Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast
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Thanks for listening!
With the end of the year approaching momentum and motivation seem harder to maintain. With fatigue setting in, it can be tough to stay focused. But it’s not all doom and gloom. As we approach the final stretch of the year, we can take simple, intentional actions to reignite our energy and keep ourselves—and our teams—moving forward.
In this Coaching Café, we’ll explore practical tips and strategies to keep the momentum alive, even when things feel tough. Together, we'll discuss how we can motivate ourselves and support others to stay on track as we head into the next quarter, with a strong finish in mind.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here!
Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials
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Thanks for listening!
"Have you ever felt like you’re not getting it ‘perfectly’ right as a coach?"
The truth is, no one ever does.
Perfection isn’t the goal. Instead, it’s about showing up consistently—being present for your coachees, staying engaged in the process, and continuously growing as a coach. It’s not about having all the answers, but about creating a space where growth happens, even through imperfection.
In past Coaching Café sessions, we’ve explored real coaching scenarios, from working with clients under stress to coaching when it feels easier to just give advice. We’ve discussed how to apply ICF competencies, use effective coaching questions, and hold space for our coachees in a way that supports their growth.
In this upcoming session, we’ll dive into why consistency in your coaching approach matters more than perfection. We’ll explore how staying present, open, and engaged in every coaching moment helps both you and your clients evolve.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here!
Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials
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Thanks for listening!
‘I’m not sure it’s my role’, was a comment we received recently during a presentation on mental health conversations in the workplace.
We may notice that a work colleague or client is not their normal self. Perhaps their behaviour has changed or the language they are using and their demeanour is different.
But the person in the workshop was worried that they didn’t really ‘feel it was their place’ to approach the person.
It's not uncommon to wonder whether it’s your job to start a mental health conversation or actually how to do that. Alternatively, whether you should get others involved, for example HR.
In addition, as a manager or coach, when do you take off your coaching hat, and focus on a mental health conversation?
Thursday 10th October marked World Mental Health Day (WMHD) 2024 in Australia and the WHO states that World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to ‘raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilise efforts in the support of mental health.’ And the official theme of WMHD is:
It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace
Therefore, we thought we’d use the Coaching Café to focus mental health conversations in the workplace. So join Natalie and Paula as they focus on mental health in the workplace and talk about the role we can play, including what to say, what not to say and overcoming barriers to the conversation.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here!
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Thanks for listening!
Breaking down the barriers to mental health conversations in the workplace
Thursday 10th October marks World Mental Health Day (WMHD) 2024 in Australia and the WHO states that World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to ‘raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilise efforts in the support of mental health.’ And the official theme of WMHD is:
It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace
At Open Door we are obviously super happy to hear this theme; given as an Alumni it is something we have all focussed on for many years. In our Coaching Café we have heard from people with lived experience, talked about a coaching approach and the boundaries between coaching and other support services and trained 100’s of people in mental health conversations. We have also supported Organisations who advocate and support people in mental health, through our fitness and fundraising efforts like the Push Up Challenge and The Black Dog Institute’s One Step Forward.
We can all be proud of these efforts as an Alumni. And, we can continue the work and the advocacy.
Therefore, we thought we’d use the Coaching Café for the next couple of weeks to focus mental health conversations in the workplace. In particular, raising awareness around the barriers to mental health conversations. And importantly, how to overcome the barriers.
Join Natalie and Andrew Figtree (former Group Captain for the Air Force) for the Coaching Café and in particular, Figgy will bring his experience as a Mental Health First Aid practitioner, Air Force coach and veterans affairs advocate, to give us some ideas about how to break down barriers to mental health conversations.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here!
Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials
- Check out the YouTube Video of this podcast.
- YouTube
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
‘Have you ever had anyone cry in the coaching session?’
The answer is yes, it does happen.
Not too often.
But whether it is disappointment, frustration, anger or alternatively joy, relief or enthusiasm, in our coaching practice in the workplace, we need to be aware of how to manage strong emotions, in our coachees and in ourselves.
We have covered a number of topics over the past weeks to explore real workplace coaching scenarios, including: coaching when people have too much on their plates, coaching when you know the answers and coaching ‘when it is easier to do it myself’ and when is it ‘not the right time for coaching?’ and coaching upwards. Throughout these conversations we have explored the role of coaching, coaching principles and ICF competencies and great coaching questions.
With this in mind, join us for this Coaching Café where wrap up the series on exploring very real workplace coaching scenarios. We will focus on an important topic – managing strong emotions in coaching and reflect on how to hold the space for the coachee and for ourselves.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here!
Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials
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Thanks for listening!
‘These tools are really great, but can you use the tools to coach someone who is under-performing?’
It’s another question that we often get asked during our coaching programs and we have a very strong opinion on the answer, which is:
YES. In fact, coaching could be the ‘make or break’ difference between an increase or further decline in a person’s performance.
With this in mind, join us for this Coaching Café where we continue our theme of Coaching Cafes: exploring very real workplace coaching scenarios; and we focus on Shifting under-performance through coaching
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners.
Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website.
Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here!
Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials
- Check out the YouTube Video of this podcast.
- YouTube
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
‘These tools are really great, but can you use the tools to coach upwards?’ It’s a question that we get asked often during our coaching programs. And it always comes with a sense of hesitation or concern.
Of course, we say that you can coach upwards, downwards and sidewards, but how feasible is that? Should I coach upwards? Can I coach upwards? Do these tools work upwards? And what if you are in a hierarchical organisation?
With this in mind, join us for this Coaching Café where we continue our theme of Coaching Cafes: exploring very real workplace coaching scenarios; and we focus on What about coaching upwards?
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
We have covered a number of topics over the past weeks to explore real workplace coaching scenarios, including: coaching when people have too much on their plates, coaching when you know the answers and coaching ‘when it is easier to do it myself’. Throughout these conversations we have explored the role of coaching, coaching principles and ICF competencies and great coaching questions.
Following on from this, another scenario we often get asked about is: when is it not the right time for coaching? The question often comes when people who are new to coaching are thinking ‘coaching is great…but…’. The ‘but’ is questioning when is coaching most appropriate, and when should the manager be doing something else, for example telling, directing, mentoring, advising or intervening.
This tension about ‘what is my role’ and ‘what is appropriate’ is not just a simple matter of understanding the difference between coaching, directing, mentoring and other techniques. We can think about the scenarios from a number of perspectives including risk versus reward and ethics or values.
With this in mind, join us for this Coaching Café where we continue our theme of Coaching Cafes: exploring very real workplace coaching scenarios; andwe focus on when is it not the right time for coaching?
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
It’s a real struggle in our workplaces right now. Leaders and managers and their teams are overwhelmed by their workload. Therefore, rather than coach people to grow and develop and give someone a learning opportunity, we hear people say: ‘it really is easier to deal with that pressing matter myself’.
Or perhaps they have tried coaching, and then we hear ‘coaching doesn’t work because an employee is not responding, so rather than coaching them, it’s easier to do it myself’.
We all know we need to delegate and that coaching assists with delegation. But when it comes down to it, delegating can be difficult. Particularly when the team is under pressure.
So how do you use coaching to assist in delegation? How do you coach people to pick up the slack, when it is their job and they need to perform better? Or alternatively, it’s not their job and you need them to step up?
There is a lot in this to unpack, so join us for this Coaching Café where we continue our theme of Coaching Cafes: exploring very real workplace coaching scenarios; and we focus on insights into coaching and delegation and how to overcome those moments when it is easier just to do it myself.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
It’s a question that we get often in our Leader as Coach or introductory coaching workshops that goes something along the lines of: ‘Coaching is great. Asking them for options is great. But what if I know the answer?.’
The question is usually followed by an explanation about how the person asking the question is a subject matter expert and knows the way forward. Or perhaps there’s no time for coaching. Alternatively, a worry or concern about the options generated by the coachee, particularly when the coach thinks that the options might be risky or just unrealistic.
Even coaches with more experience may find thoughts might cross their minds about ‘better’ options or answers.
So join us for this Coaching Café where we continue our theme of Coaching Cafes: exploring very real workplace coaching scenarios andwe explore situational coaching. In particular how to approach the scenario in the workplace, when you actually know that an option may not work, be the best alternative or is not feasible. Whether you are an experienced coach, coaching managers to coach their people, just starting out, or even coaching family members, it’s a topic that we can all explore and learn from.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
We are back LIVE this week after our sun chasing, so join us for this 30 minute Coaching Café where we kick off a new round of Coaching Cafes: exploring very real workplace coaching scenarios.
And since working out priorities because ‘I’ve got too much on your plate’ is a very common topic in workplace coaching; let’s see how to approach the scenario. Particularly when as the coach you have the feeling that the client has way too much on their plate. But you can’t say that, and jump into the space; and express your opinion.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
Over the past few weeks in our Coaching Café we have been bringing the ICF Core Competencies to life, particularly by unpacking coaching demonstrations. And we have been delighted with the interaction and increasing numbers of people joining us from all around the world, to explore how they can grow their coaching awareness and competency.
We have taken a deeper dive into the more subtle ICF competencies, for example: #4 Cultivates Trust and Safety, #5 Maintains Presence and #7 Evokes Awareness and it makes us feel very warm and fuzzy that we are surrounded by an Alumni who want to continue to pursue their professional development, across the levels of coaching experience and training.
With this in mind, we finish our series with a competency that that we possibly take for granted as coaches: #6 Listens Actively. There’s a lot more to this competency than simply listening and then paraphrasing, in particular picking up on what the coachee is not saying.
Therefore, join us for this Coaching Café as we deep dive into #6 Listens Actively and find ways to extend our ability to make a difference in our coaching.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
Over the past two weeks in our Coaching Café we were delighted to bring you another opportunity to learn from a coaching demonstration. By listening to another coaching demonstration by Brigitte, we build on the foundations that we have been exploring over the past few weeks, and hear the ICF Core Competencies come to life.
On Friday 31st may we explore the difference between ACC and PCC coaching. Building on this, join us this week in the Coaching Café we as debrief the recording through the lens of the ICF Core Competencies. In particular we will take a deeper dive into the more subtle competencies, for example: #4 Cultivates Trust and Safety, #5 Maintains Presence and #7 Evokes Awareness .
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
Last week in our Coaching Café we were delighted to bring you another opportunity to learn from a coaching demonstration. By listening to another coaching demonstration by Brigitte, we build on the foundations that we have been exploring over the past few weeks, and hear the ICF Core Competencies come to life.
This week for the Coaching Café, join us we as debrief the recording through the lens of the ICF Core Competencies and in particular the difference between ACC and PCC coaching. This is a coaching demonstration that will open your eyes to what it really means to stretch your coaching skills from Level 1 ACC coaching to the higher levels and what difference that makes to your client.
Importantly, to get the most out of this session we recommend that you listen to the recording ahead of time and download the transcript.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
International Coaching Week gives us an opportunity to reflect on ourselves as coaches and on our workplace coaching practice. And one of the best ways to do this is to listen to great coaching. In fact, one of the most popular requests we receive is for coaching demonstrations; in particular for PCC or MCC level coaching.
Therefore, in this very special presentation as we listen to coaching by Brigitte Calvert our Learning and Development Manager. We will do this through the lens of the ICF Core Competencies. Importantly, this is a coaching demonstration that will open your eyes to what it really means to explore, evoke awareness and partner with a client.
We guarantee some of the questions that Brigitte asks in the moment with intuition will really leave you saying ‘wow’.
Furthermore, to get the most out of this learning experience we recommend you can download the transcript ahead of time. In addition, download the ICF Core Competencies.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
As an Alumni we enjoy listening and learning from the experts. In particular, Open Door has a reputation of introducing and exposing our Alumni to international speakers and leaders in the field of workplace coaching. This presentation celebrating International Coaching Week continues this tradition.
Listen to this very special presentation for International Coaching Week, as Natalie interviews Professor Emerita Andrea D. Ellinger, from The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
Firstly, thanks to all of you who joined us for our SUPER TUESDAY International Coaching Week events and for all your feedback. We hope that you learned and celebrated as much as week did, as we listened to the pioneers in coaching academic research, Professor Emerita Andrea D. Ellinger and Professor Grace McCarthy, along with a coaching demonstration from our very own Learning and Development Manager, Brigitte Calvert, PCC. You can catch up on the presentations on our blog or podcast.
Secondly, based on your feedback we are delighted to bring you another opportunity to learn from a coaching demonstration. By listening to another coaching demonstration by Brigitte, we will build on the foundations that we have been exploring over the past few weeks, and hear the ICF Core Competencies come to life.
Therefore, join us this week for the Coaching Café Podcast, as we listen to the recording with the transcript (we recommend you download the transcript ahead of time). And then over the next two weeks we will debrief the recording through the lens of the ICF Core Competencies. This is a coaching demonstration that will open your eyes to what it really means to explore, evoke awareness and partner with the client.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
We know that every coaching session needs to include the question ‘what do you want to achieve?’ (or some form of that question). We are taught that from day one of our coaching education. And from an ICF Core Competency perspective it is a critical part of establishing the coaching agreement. But we also know there’s more to establishing and maintaining a coaching agreement than just this question.
Therefore, building on our theme of exploring the ‘ICF Core Competencies’, this week in the Coaching Café join Natalie and Paula as we discuss ‘Establishes and Maintains Agreements’.
We will look at what it means from a competency point of view, but also provide some pertinent reminders about inserting certain questions into the coaching conversation to meet this competency.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
Developing a coaching mindset is a key outcome of all coaching programs. We want people to walk out of coach training program having developed a coaching mindset…or least being open to a coaching mindset or on their way. And it’s not something that is a given, or that we can take for granted. Nor is coaching mindset fully understood, hence Natalie including it as part of her Doctorate studies.
Therefore, building on our theme of exploring the ‘ICF Core Competencies’, this week in the Coaching Café join Natalie and Paula as we discuss ‘Embodies a Coaching Mindset’. We will look at what it means from a competency point of view, but also discuss things that might get in the way of a coaching mindset.
This series is perfectly timed in the lead up to International Coach Week (13th – 19th May 2024), to give us an opportunity to reflect on ourselves as coaches and on our workplace coaching practice.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
In the assessment of a coaching demonstration (known as the ICF Performance Evaluation) across the different levels of ICF credential, the competency of ‘Demonstrates Ethical Practice’ clearly states what a ‘fail’ would look like – that is, where a credential at any level would be denied.
With this in mind, we are digging back into our theme of exploring the ‘ICF Core Competencies’, specifically around ethics. This series is perfectly timed in the lead up to International Coach Week (13th – 19th May 2024), to give us an opportunity to reflect on ourselves as coaches and on our workplace coaching practice.
Therefore, join the Natalie, Paula and Brigitte for this interactive Coaching Café discussion as we sharpen up our coaching skills by exploring what an ‘instant fail’ in a coaching demonstration would look/sound/feel like. And of course, how to avoid that situation in your coaching. In particular, we tap into Brigitte’s knowledge and experience as an Assessor at the ICF PCC level for nearly 20 years.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
Over the past few weeks in our Coaching Café we’ve been out exploring the ‘wild west’ of coaching. In particular, the use of AI in Coaching.
This week in our Coaching Cafe we return to our core, by kicking off a new theme around the ‘ICF Core Competencies’. This series is perfectly timed in the lead up to International Coach Week (13th – 19th May 2024), to give us an opportunity to reflect on ourselves as coaches and on our workplace coaching practice. We start the series with an exploration of ethics in coaching and the importance of values.
Join Natalie, Paula and Brigitte for this interactive Coaching Café discussion as we explore the ICF Core Values which underpin the ICF Code of Ethics. This is an opportunity for reflective practice on our alignment to the ICF Core Values.
If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development. In addition, you have the opportunity to collect ICF CCEU’s for FREE. In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Friday lunchtimes, just like we all do!
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
We hope you had a refreshing and energising break!
This week in our Coaching Cafe Podcast we summarise our discussion on the use of AI in Coaching, including: the pros and cons of AI; how the use of AI can make our coaching better; and answer the big question around ‘will AI replace us as coaches?’.
Join Natalie and Paula Jones-Hunt our Resident HR Specialist for this interactive Coaching Café discussion as we present the research, current thinking and of course, open up the discussion to our Alumni.
If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each Tuesday.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
‘What if AI can make my coaching better?’, I asked.
‘What would that look like? What difference would that make to my coaching?’.
‘Only one way to find out!’ I thought, ‘let’s put it to the test’.
This week in our Coaching Cafe we continue to discuss a key trend in coaching: the use of AI in coaching. And we turn our thinking to: how we can use AI for continuous improvement in our coaching – specifically to make us better coaches. And to do this we will take Natalie’s actual transcripts of PCC level recordings and ask AI for feedback on how the coaching could be improved.
So join Natalie and Paula Jones-Hunt our Resident HR Specialist for this eye-opening Coaching Café, to find out the results of how AI can make us a better coach, including at the top levels of ICF competency.
If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes.
If you’ve not joined us for a Live Coaching Café, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development. In addition, you have the opportunity to collect ICF CCEU’s for FREE. In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Friday lunchtimes, just like we all do!
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
‘That resume was clearly written by AI’, said one of our clients recently. ‘The issue is that when the candidate interviewed, they were terrible….that’s where good coaching questions come into it’.
Last week we kicked off a new round of discussions in the Coaching Cafe specifically thinking about the impact of AI on coaching. This week we explore the intersect between AI, HR and quality coaching questions. By the way, we are not trying to catch people out. We are trying to maximise the human intervention that comes from quality coaching across the HR function.
So join Paula Jones-Hunt our Resident HR Specialist for this Coaching Café discussion, as we explore the use of AI across the HR function and in particular where AI is no substitute for human intervention.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
In discussing key trends for 2024 in coaching we agreed that the use of AI in coaching is in the top three. Luckily, you do not have to be a ‘technological guru’ to understand how artificial intelligence is influencing coaching, and we feel it’s not something that we can ignore. So this week we kick off a new round of discussions specifically thinking about the impact of AI on coaching.
Join Natalie and Paula for this Coaching Café discussion as we explore and pros and cons of the use of AI and why coaches in the workplace need to not bury their heads in the sand over this trend.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
In discussing key trends for 2024 in coaching we agreed that prevalence of mental health concerns and burnout in the workplace will be a major concern. In addition, the legislative response that enshrines the ‘right to disconnect’. And last week Paula introduced us to this discussion.
However, fresh from a week away (yes that’s a photo from her holidays above), it occurred to Natalie, with all this discussion and ‘prevalence’ what are we actually doing about it? What steps are we taking to ensure our mental health and prevent burnout as leaders, managers, coaches and in our many roles? What are the barriers that our clients (and ourselves) from taking real action? What does good coaching look like around this topic?
Join Natalie and Paula for this Coaching Café discussion as we also think about the role of coaching and coaching tools to apply to the topic.
If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each Friday.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
Welcome to the Coaching Café series for 2024!
Not long ago we signed off for the year, with a recap on the trends in coaching that we predicated for 2023. And now here we are, gazing into our re-usable coffee cups and thinking about the important topics that we are likely to influence our workplaces and coaching this year.
The good news is that you don’t need your double shot espresso for inspiration – there are several trends that we are seeing in our research and through conversations with people like yourself.
Join Natalie and Paula to kick off a new and exciting year of Coaching Cafés; as we discuss the top trends that we predict will be raised during coaching conversations in the workplace and also gather your insights into key trends.
If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each Tuesday on the podcast.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
Wow where did the year go? It feels like we blinked and now it’s December 😊
But we have achieved a lot together as an Alumni. Including: 30 Coaching Café’s, 7 guest speakers, and 20th Birthday celebrations. In addition, we reviewed the ICF Global Study and focussed on building workforce engagement. Not to mention, great discussion and a focus on our development.
As we wrap up the year in Coaching Café’s, we take the time to revisit the trends that we saw throughout the year. In particular, what this means for our workplaces and coaching moving forward.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
At Open Door we are keen to learn from the leaders in our workplaces who are making a difference. And we continue our conversation this week around building engagement in the workplace, by welcoming back to the Coaching Café, Leisa Bowness, Manager Organisational Capability from Resources Safety & Health Queensland.
We have shared Gallup’s recent report on the State of the Australian and New Zealand Workplace which says engagement in our workplaces is only 20%, with 67% of employees in Australia and New Zealand ‘quiet quitting’ and 13% actively disengaged. And Leisa says, there is a deeper conversation to be had to create engagement. That conversation is around creating safe spaces for conversations and as leaders we have a positive duty to do so.
So join Natalie as she interviews Leisa for our Coaching Café around what does it really mean to focus on positive duty? and what is the link to engagement and coaching?
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
At Open Door we are keen to learn from the leaders in our workplaces who are making a difference. In particular, we continue our conversation this week around building engagement in the workplace. Therefore, we welcome back to the Coaching Café, Andrew ‘Figgy’ Figtree, former Group Captain with Air Force. Open Door has had a long association with Air Force building a coaching culture and delivering the Air Force Coaching Leadership Program.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
We know that coaching can achieve a 73% improvement in engagement and 36% uplift in performance using strengths-based conversations.
And this is really important, when you consider Gallup’s recent report on the State of the Australian and New Zealand Workplace says engagement in our workplaces is only 20%, with 67% of employees in Australia and New Zealand ‘quiet quitting’ and 13% actively disengaged.
We know that the 67% of our workforce who are quiet quitting are ‘winnable’. But what does it really mean to focus on strengths?
Join us for our Coaching Café as we focus on building engagement using strengths-based coaching.
And to assist the conversation we are offering a one-time offer for you to purchase your own strengths profile at a 40% discount. Open Door uses one of the leading strengths profile called StrengthscopeTM and you can purchase the report for only $130.00!
Purchase your StrengthscopeTM report $215.00 now $130.00 for one week only.
That’s 40% off!
Use the coupon code: ENGAGE
We will use the reports as a basis for our Coaching Café conversation and you will get insights into your own strengths and how to leverage the strengths of others to build engagement.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
We know that coaching can achieve a 73% improvement in engagement and 36% uplift in performance using strengths-based conversations.
And this is really important, when you consider Gallup’s recent report on the State of the Australian and New Zealand Workplace says engagement in our workplaces is only 20%, with 67% of employees in Australia and New Zealand ‘quiet quitting’ and 13% actively disengaged.
We know that the 67% of our workforce who are quiet quitting are ‘winnable’. But what does it really mean to focus on strengths?
Join us for our Coaching Café as we focus on building engagement using strengths-based coaching.
And to assist the conversation we are offering a one-time offer for you to purchase your own strengths profile at a 40% discount. Open Door uses one of the leading strengths profile called StrengthscopeTM and you can purchase the report for only $130.00!
Purchase your StrengthscopeTM report $215.00 now $130.00 for one week only.
That’s 40% off!
Use the coupon code: ENGAGE
BUY NOW
We will use the reports as a basis for our Coaching Café conversation and you will get insights into your own strengths and how to leverage the strengths of others to build engagement.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
If you managed to take a holiday over the past few weeks, we hope you’ve had a refreshing break and we are pleased to be back after ‘spring break’ for our Coaching Café.
Tuesday 10th October marks World Mental Health Day 2023 in Australia and the WHO states that World Mental Health Day is ‘an opportunity for people and communities to unite behind the theme ‘Mental health is a universal human right’ to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human right.’
So we thought we’d kick off our Coaching Café season on Friday 13th October with a focus on mental health conversations in the workplace, in particular, raising awareness around the barriers to mental health conversations. And importantly, how to overcome the barriers.
Join Natalie and Andrew Figtree (former Group Captain for the Air Force) for the Coaching Café and in particular, Figgy will bring his experience as a Mental Health First Aid practitioner, Air Force coach and veterans affairs advocate, to give us some ideas about how to break down barriers to mental health conversations.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
This week on the Coaching Café we have inspirational story to share with you, around how coaching can work across different environments, cultures and people. A story of where coaching meets hope for the future, through coaching young people at risk.
We often hear ‘I don’t think coaching will work’ in this situation, for those people or in our organisation.
And wherever we hear this, we just think about Melbourne City Mission.
The coaches at Melbourne City Mission are coaching young people at risk. And we truly feel if they can make a difference in this way, then we are pretty sure coaching is going to work in your particular corporate environment. We just have to figure out how.
So join Natalie as she interviews Andrea Hutton, Team Leader from Melbourne City Mission. Andrea brings 37 years of experience working with young people in crisis, facing homeless with deep trauma and complex mental health issues. In her service to young people, she weaves in coaching questions, building accountability and resourcefulness in the young people, and opening up choice.
Andrea says: ‘It’s easy for people to dismiss the value of coaching when you are faced with significant barriers and challenges; so I hope I can sway people to open their minds to looking at things differently.’
Get ready to be touched and inspired by the story of how coaching builds hope and get ready to take some notes, because the lessons that Andrea shares will be applicable across all the coaching we are doing.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
This week on the Coaching Café we speak with Ian Scott, a distinguished leader with 36 years of experience in the Royal Australian Air Force to explore the intricacies of building a coaching culture across very different environments and the remarkable impact it can have.
In this inspirational Coaching Café, Natalie interviews Ian Scott. Ian Scott’s career journey is nothing short of impressive. He has spent 36 years in the Royal Australian Air Force, holding diverse roles in operations, strategy analysis, development, policy implementation, and command of different squadrons.
However, what sets Ian apart is his transition into various roles beyond the Air Force. He has become an accomplished facilitator, workplace and business coach, and a licensed mental health first aid practitioner. Ian has also taken on the role of developing leadership coaching programs for commanders in the Air Force, as well as executives and managers. His extensive work, both locally and globally, with Rotary International further exemplifies his dedication to community service.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
Best practice suggests that the implementation of a Leader as Coach or Manager as Coach program into organisations, provides the essential catalyst for the rollout of coaching.
Air Force call it the ‘force multiplier effect’. Coaching a group of people to go out and implement coaching conversations in the workplace.
So this week on the Coaching Café join Natalie and Paula as we continue our discussion around implementing a culture of coaching by looking at a very important element – the implementation of Leader as Coach or Manager as Coach programs.
In particular, we will share the ‘top 5 coaching tools’ that are included in the programs to achieve maximum results across everyday conversations.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
This week on the Coaching Café we have inspirational story to share with you, around how coaching can work across different environments, cultures and people. A story of where coaching meets hope for the future, through coaching young people at risk.
We often hear ‘I don’t think coaching will work’ in this situation, for those people or in our organisation.
And wherever we hear this, we just think about Melbourne City Mission.
The coaches at Melbourne City Mission are coaching young people at risk. And we truly feel if they can make a difference in this way, then we are pretty sure coaching is going to work in your particular corporate environment. We just have to figure out how.
So join Natalie as she interviews Andrea Hutton, Team Leader from Melbourne City Mission. Andrea brings 37 years of experience working with young people in crisis, facing homeless with deep trauma and complex mental health issues. In her service to young people, she weaves in coaching questions, building accountability and resourcefulness in the young people, and opening up choice.
Andrea says: ‘It’s easy for people to dismiss the value of coaching when you are faced with significant barriers and challenges; so I hope I can sway people to open their minds to looking at things differently.’
Get ready to be touched and inspired by the story of how coaching builds hope and get ready to take some notes, because the lessons that Andrea shares will be applicable across all the coaching we are doing.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
This week in our Coaching Café we kick off a series of looking at best practice in building a culture of coaching within our organisations.
Many of us across the Open Door Coaching Alumni are involved in introducing coaching into teams, business units and into the organisation, with the view of creating a culture of coaching in the workplace. However, some people ask:
‘is it even possible’ or
‘is that what we should be aiming for?’
and ‘if that’s what we want…well how do you go about it?’
In this webinar, Natalie and Paula take us back to the Coaching Culture FrameworkTM which is being used as the best practice framework to underpin the implementation of coaching in many organisations, and is featured in our Diploma of Organisational Coaching (10835NAT) program.
Join us as we explain: What is a coaching culture? Why is it so important? And share the Framework for implementation. It is also a good chance to review what’s happening in your organisation against best practice.
Get ready to be inspired!
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
I’m juggling so many things (mental health conversations in the workplace)
‘I’m just juggling so many things’, is a common comment that we hear in coaching conversations.
We are all juggling work commitments, on top of looking after our teams, home, family, physical and mental health and the list goes on. Add the pressure of competing deadlines and priorities and the juggling becomes even more challenging. For some, there is a feeling of not even having 10 minutes of time for myself.
And we hear: ‘I’m looking after everyone else…who’s looking after me?’
Join Natalie and Paula and wider Open Door community as we continue our discussions about mental health in the workplace. We will take a break from the juggling, to discuss coaching strategies and a positive mindful approach to focus on ourselves.
We can almost guarantee that you’ll feel a lot better after this webinar!
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
‘I’m not sure it’s my role’, was a comment we received recently during a presentation on mental health converastions in the workplace.
We may notice that a work colleague or client is not their normal self. Perhaps their behaviour has changed or the language they are using and their demeanour is different.
But the person in the workshop was worried that they didn’t really ‘feel it was their place’ to approach the person.
It’s not uncommon to wonder whether it’s your job to start a mental health conversation or actually how to do that. Alternatively, whether you should get others involved, for example HR.
In addition, as a manager or coach, when do you take off your coaching hat, and focus on a mental health conversation?
During our Coaching Café this week join Natalie and Paula as they focus on mental health in the workplace and talk about the role we can play, including what to say, what not to say.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
Research suggests that when managers focus on strengths during performance this can lead to an uplift of 36.5% in performance. In addition, engagement increases, productivity increases and absenteeism decreases.
When we first heard these statistics many years ago now, we simply said, ‘tell me more!!!’ and it opened the doors (pardon the pun) to developing our strengths-based approach to coaching.
Today, a strengths-based approach to coaching has never been more important. There’s a lot of fatigue happening in our workplaces; people are feeling under-valued and tired. And this is where coaching really comes in handy. Particularly when it comes to the annual performance review and ensuring that people are feeling energised by the conversation.
There is a lot we can do to coach our managers and team members to have successful strengths-based performance conversations. And to create a real and lasting positive impact. So join us for this Coaching Café where we will share how the strengths-based approach really works for the annual performance conversation.
Whether you are involved in developing annual performance systems, coaching managers, a manager embarking on the performance season, or getting yourself ready for your own performance review, this is a webinar that we are all going to benefit from.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
We continue our focus on getting ready for annual performance reviews during our Coaching Café this week. Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve looked at key tips and a framework to set those conversations up for success. This week we turn our attention to the trickier performance conversations.
We were recently asked by a frustrated manager:
What do you do about the people who think they are meeting expectations, but they aren’t?
Or they don’t have goals? Don’t really care? Aren’t prepared or are just working out to retirement? You have to write something on the form!
We hear you! And this is where coaching really comes in handy. At Open Door we want you to get on the front foot. So in our Coaching Café this week Natalie and our Resident HR Specialist, Paula-Jones Hunt will turn their attention to the trickier conversations and how a coaching approach can work. We will also share another of Open Door’s coaching tools for performance conversations that works in these situations.
Whether you are involved in developing annual performance systems, coaching managers, a manager embarking on the annual performance review season, or getting yourself ready for your own performance review, this is a webinar that we are all going to benefit from.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
This week we continue our Coaching Café series on coaching for successful performance conversations.
There is a lot we can do to coach our managers and team members to have successful annual performance conversations. Performance conversations that lead people to feel proud and energised about their work; rather than dreading this time of year and for some thinking about all the extra work that it may involve – on top of everything else in your plate.
And we know that success during this time comes down to preparation. Preparing a good set of questions that we can ask is important, but providing these questions to the team member ahead of time is even better.
At Open Door we want you to get on the front foot with performance conversations.
So we have asked our Resident HR Specialist, Paula-Jones Hunt to join us for our Coaching Café to share with us how a coaching approach really works for the annual performance conversation. This includes a good set of quality questions that we can ask during the performance conversation. And most importantly questions that your team member can prepare.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
For many people getting what you need out of a performance conversation can be really challenging. Especially if those conversations are linked to salary increases. And let’s face it, given the gender pay gap, the challenge is greater for women.
So we’ve called in the expert to assist us with this conversation.
Join us for the Coaching Café this week, where we interview Anneli Blundell, author of The Gender Penalty: Turning Obstacles into Opportunities for Women at Work.
Anneli will share highlights from her new book including the 5 gender penalties and how the performance conversation season can either exacerbate the penalties, or we can coach to overcome these gender penalties.
Whether you are involved in developing annual performance systems, coaching managers, a manager embarking on the performance season, or getting yourself ready for your own performance review, this is a webinar that we are all going to benefit from.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
The change of season from Autumn to Winter brings the cold, rain and dark nights here in the Southern parts of Australia and it’s also about this time that organisations enter the performance review season.
But it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom for performance conversations this year (especially if you’ve implemented our ideas from last year!). At Open Door we are bringing back our most popular set of Coaching Cafes to help you coach your team to set up and deliver successful annual performance conversations this year.
The annual performance review season means trying to schedule in appointments with the team; meeting the demands from HR Managers to submit reviews by deadlines; and for many people, assisting managers to have good quality conversations.
This is where coaching really comes in handy.
There is a lot we can do to coach our managers and team members to have successful annual performance conversations. Performance conversations that lead people to feel proud and energised about their work; rather than dreading this time of year and for some thinking about all the extra work that it may involve – on top of everything else in your plate.
At Open Door we want you to get on the front foot. So we have asked our Resident HR Specialist, Paula-Jones Hunt to join us for our Coaching Café to share with us how a coaching approach really works for the annual performance conversation.
Whether you are involved in developing annual performance systems, coaching managers, a manager embarking on the performance season, or getting yourself ready for your own performance review, this is a webinar that we are all going to benefit from.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
This month we are celebrating Open Door’s 20th birthday and we want you to join us for a range of inspirational Coaching Cafes; with a few flashbacks thrown in. And one of the most inspirational and experienced people we know is our very own Brigitte Calvert, Learning and Development Manager at Open Door.
For 20 years, at Open Door we’ve focussed on the vision of: creating workplaces we can all be proud of by bringing a culture of coaching to our workplace. And to achieve that vision we trained hundreds of managers and leaders to coach their people. Creating as Air Force would describe it, a ‘force-multiplier affect’ ie. coaching one person to coach many more.
Brigitte has been at the centre of our training and assessments and understands at a very detailed level, what great coaching look, feels and sounds like. So join us for this Coaching Café as we interview Brigitte and unlock her insights gathered over 20 years of making a difference in coaching and training.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
Join Natalie as she interviews our Resident HR Specialist Paula-Jones Hunt on how HR is leading the way in coaching. Including her role in championing coaching across a range of organisations, from the highly industrial to not-for-profit and indigenous work.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
Back in 2003 singer Beyonce topped the Billboard charts with ‘Crazy in Love’.
The number 1 song in Australia was ‘Lose Yourself’ by Eminem.
And a coaching company with a big vision was founded!
For 20 years, at Open Door we’ve focussed on the vision of: creating workplaces we can all be proud of by bringing a culture of coaching to our workplace.
This month we are celebrating Open Door’s 20th birthday and we want you to join us for a range of inspirational Coaching Cafes; with a few flashbacks thrown in.
Therefore, join Natalie and the Open Door coaches for this Coaching Café where we ‘go way back’ and reflect on some of the keys moments of Open Door’s 20 years of coaching and how our industry has changed over the last two decades (…yes, we can’t believe we are saying that!!!).
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
This week the ICF released theICF Global Coaching Study which researched the size and scope of the coaching profession.
With a total of 14,591 responses across 157 countries, it is the most significant study into the profession to date (and it is the fifth study commissioned by the ICF).
The study answers questions such as:
Is the coaching industry growing globally?
What aboutgrowth in Australia?
What are the main areas of coaching?
Who are the mainrecipients of coaching?
Do clients expect their coaches to bequalified?
What’s the annual income of coaches and their level of experience?
And what’s the estimatedsize of the industry?
You can download the executive summary, but the good news is we have purchased the 91-page Final report which includes information specific to our region.
Therefore, join Natalie and the Open Door coaches for this Coaching Café where we unpack the global study; sharing the highlights and interesting points to note for our region. And we also have news to share with you about how you can be a part of our20 years in business Birthday celebrations!
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
This Week on The Coaching Café:
Hybrid workplaces – resist the temptation to fix the problems
Over the past few weeks we’ve been focussing on coaching within the hybrid working environment.
Recent research* suggests that employees are seeing a number of advantages in their overall productivity and wellbeing. At the same time, the greatest challenges of hybrid work include: having the right tools to be effective at work, feeling less connected to the organisation’s culture, impaired collaboration and relationships, and disrupted work processes.
There is a big temptation for leaders and managers to want to FIX THE PROBLEMS and challenges with hybrid working.
But we know that what we need is to be having coaching conversations.
Join Natalie and the Open Door coaches for this Coaching Café where we introduce you a highly effective coaching tool to ensure that we are coaching, rather than fixing things, as our workplaces change and evolve.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
Today on the Coaching Café: Hybrid Workplaces - What we need right now is better conversation.
Recent research suggests that employees are seeing a number of advantages in their overall productivity and wellbeing. At the same time, the greatest challenges of hybrid work include: having the right tools to be effective at work, feeling less connected to the organization’s culture, impaired collaboration and relationships, and disrupted work processes.
In response to these trends, we think what we need right now in the workplace is better conversations.
Everyday coaching conversations.
And it is important to recognise that there are different levels of conversations that you can have. This recognition allows you to have more effective conversations and to ask more effective questions when coaching.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
Join us for this Coaching Café where we welcome back a very popular guest presenter, Veronica Millen, an Open Door Alumni and author of the book ‘Career Agility’ as we answer the question, how do you remain in your career ‘sweet spot’ as the world of work changes and evolves?
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
Cliff Morgan, an Open Door Alumni, and author of ‘The Coaching Leader’ suggests that:
‘Most leaders aren’t equipped to lead in the way they need to in today’s environment. In a world that is increasingly dynamic, leaders need to not only navigate uncertainty, complexity, and change, but they must develop the ability to be adaptable in their people.
It is the ability of people and teams to learn, unlearn and relearn in response to the changing environment that ensures the success of an organisation today and into the future. It is the leader’s role to develop this capability.’
Join us for this Coaching Café where we welcome Cliff Morgan, to discuss his new book ‘The Coaching Leader’ and answer the question around: how do we better equip our leaders to lead in today’s environment?
One of the best things about our Coaching Café is the ability to learn from each other. We are so privileged that the Open Door Alumni (made up of past and present students) and all of you who read this email, come together every Friday to explore and stretch our coaching knowledge and skills. It’s only 30 minutes, but it is a highlight of our week to discuss key topics with such a talented and insightful bunch of people.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
To be honest I’ve not paid much attention to the ‘R‘ in SMART Goal Setting, ie. making sure that the goals are REALISTIC.
That is until I found myself not achieving some big goals within the timeframes that I had set.
Perhaps you’ve experienced this in the frantic lead up to the end of last year?
There’s one thing to set big goals, but it’s another way of thinking to ensure that the goals are realistic and achievable. Maybe you are doing Feb-fast; maybe you’ve set goals at the beginning of the year; maybe you’ve been a bit stuck for motivation around goals or have only just now had the chance to start thinking about your goals?
Whatever your motivation it’s good timing to join us for the Coaching Café to take a fresh look at the value of the ‘R’ in SMART and how this might benefit your own performance or the performance of your team or clients.And we will offer you the best and easiest action plan that helps you stay on track.If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you and offering you a value-packed 30minutes each Friday.If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development. In addition, you have the opportunity to collect ICF CCEU’s for FREE. In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Friday lunchtimes, just like we all do!
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
Welcome to the Coaching Café series for 2023!
Not long ago we signed off for the year, with a recap on the trends in coaching that we predicated for 2022. And now here we are, gazing into our re-usable coffee mugs and thinking about the important topics that we are likely to come across during our coaching for 2023.
The good news is that you don’t need your double shot cappuccino for inspiration - there are several trends that we are seeing in our research and through conversations with people like yourself.
Join Natalie to kick off a new and exciting year of Coaching Cafés; as we discuss the top 5 topics that we predict will be raised during coaching conversations in the workplace and also gather your insights into key trends.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
The year in Coaching Cafes
Back in February when we held our first Coaching Café for the year, we discussed 5 trends in coaching for 2022. Of course, we didn’t know what 2022 would bring after the two previous years.
But we did know that return to the physical office, performance reviews and the ‘great resignation’ were on the cards. Add in devastating floods across many parts of the country and we’ve had a lot to contend with this year.
Importantly, on the other side of the coin, we’ve had much to celebrate. At Open Door this includes the launch of What Makes a Great Coach?
In our final Coaching Café of the year, join Natalie and the Open Door coaches and Alumni to explore the highlights of the Coaching Cafes for 2022.
We will take a look at the top 5 trends and importantly, take a moment to reflect on the year that was and how far we’ve come.
Looking for end of year gifts for the team? What Makes a Great Coach? has hit Amazon #1 Best Seller across a number of categories Australia. And what a perfect gift for your team this year!
You can pick up your copy here and contact us if you want multiple copies and to access the special offers!
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
During Coaching Café this week we are looking forward to continuing the momentum of focussing on the top 10 practices of the world’s best coaches from What Makes a Great Coach?
This week we turn our attention to building our coaching toolkit.
I have no idea how many tennis matches I’ve watched, but at the end of each match, the umpire will announce ‘game, set, match’ to the winner.
With that, the chapter that is represented by that match is finished. But the learning doesn’t stop. The game is analysed, debriefed, reviewed, re-watched, picked apart, and discussed long after the bags were packed on the tennis court and the racquets sent for re-stringing.
The same goes for high performance in our workplaces.
What Makes a Great Coach? gives us the opportunity to reflect on our own coaching practices.
So join Emma and Natalie for this Coaching Café this week where we share the research and stories around from the book. And most importantly we explore how you can continue to build your coaching toolkit.
And it’s official! What Makes a Great Coach? has hit Amazon #1 Best Seller across a number of categories Australia.
We are so grateful for your support, messages and for helping us celebrate. You can pick up your copy here and contact us if you want multiple copies and to access the special offers.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
During the Coaching Café this week we will recap the top 10 practices of the world’s best coaches and in addition we called in Open Door’s expert coaching panel to give you the chance to ‘ask us anything?’
So join Natalie, Brigitte and Paula who bring over 50 years of coaching experience together, for this special Coaching Café panel. We answered your questions and of course draw on the insights and opinions of the many other expert coaches who are a part of Open Door’s Alumni who join us every week on the line.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
What makes a great coach? I believe I can fly!
During theCoaching Café Podcast this week we are looking forward to continuing the momentum of focussing on the top 10 practices of the world’s best coaches from What Makes a Great Coach?
This week we turn our attention to the practice of belief.
Legendary tennis coach, Rick Macci famously suggested that Richard Williams might just have the next Michael Jordan in his daughter, Venus Williams. Richard replied, ‘Oh no, Brother-Man, I got me two.’ Richard believed that both of his daughters, Serena and Venus Williams would triumph to be the greatest tennis players of all time. And he was right. Furthermore, if you listen to their early interviews, it was clear that the Williams sisters had the belief too - even if the people who were interviewing them didn’t share that belief.
Why do we care about this as workplace coaches? Well because belief is built into our practice. We believe in our clients, in their abilities and it’s our job to bring out the best in them.
Then it struck me.
What if all managers in the workplace, shared the same beliefs in their staff members? What difference would that make?
Interestingly, in some workshops we get push back on this idea. It sounds too unrealistic to some people. You’re not going to make me sing ‘I believe I can fly’ are you?
What Makes a Great Coach? gives us the opportunity to reflect on our own coaching practices.
So join Emma and Natalie for this Coaching Café Podcast this week where we share the research and stories around belief from the book. And most importantly we explore how we build belief in the people that we are coaching and what difference it makes to the workplace.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!
On the Coaching Café Podcast this week we are looking forward to continuing the momentum of focussing on the top 10 practices of the world’s best coaches from What Makes a Great Coach?
This week we turned our attention to the brilliant clip from the hit Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso (played by Jason Sudeikis). Ted is shooting darts in a high-stakes match against Ruppert, and just before he hits the winning bull-eye he talks about how people have always under-estimated others including him, but he focusses on ‘be curious, not judgemental.’
‘If they were curious’, Ted continues with his story, ‘they would ask a lot of questions like “have you played a lot of darts Ted?”. To which I would have answered, “yes Sir, every Sunday afternoon at a sports bar with my Father, from the age 10 to the age 16, until he passed away.”’
As coaches, we know that curiosity is built into everything we do.
And many of us are coaching managers in the workplace to be curious and ask questions when a team member presents a problem, rather than jumping in and solving the problem straight away.
But as we discovered, for many people curiosity doesn’t come easily. So join us for the Coaching Café Podcast where we ask:
•What questions create a culture of curiosity in the workplace?
•How do we spark curiosity in others?
•How can we refine our own practice of curiosity?
What Makes a Great Coach? gives us the opportunity to reflect on our own coaching practices. So join Emma and Natalie for this Coaching Café this week where we share the research and stories around curiosity from the book. And most importantly key questions that we can all use to reflect on how we bring curiosity to our coaching practice.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!...
During Coaching Café this week we are looking forward to continuing the momentum of focussing on the top 10 practices of the world’s best coaches from What Makes a Great Coach?
Imagine, it’s 7:00am and super coach Emma Doyle is about to present to Virgin Australia’s Platinum Frequent Flyer customers with former WTA World No.1 Maria Sharapova. Emma is ready to go and is warmly greeting Maria and the crowd, and just before they begin, Maria says:
‘I love your energy. How many coffees have you had already?’
There’s been quite a lot of discussion recently about how to engage and energise people in the workplace. Particularly in response to the ‘quiet quitting’ phenomenon. In addition, we’ve heard that managers are frustrated that now the return to the office is supposed to be happening, it’s not happening.
As coaches and facilitators, we are focussed on bringing our energy to a session – without the need for copious cups of coffee!
As Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerMedia says, ‘your energy introduces you first.’
Therefore, this week during our Coaching Café we focus on the practice of Energy and how to answer the questions around ‘how do I energise my people?’ and what to do about the ‘quiet quitting’.
What Makes a Great Coach? gives us the opportunity to reflect on our own coaching practices. So join Emma and Natalie for this Coaching Café this week where we share the research and stories around energy from the book. And most importantly key questions that we can all use to reflect on how we energise people.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!...
During Coaching Café this week we are looking forward to continuing the momentum of focussing on the top 10 practices of the world’s best coaches from What Makes a Great Coach?
We’ve all been there. Perhaps as a parent, guardian, on-looker or passing by the local high school.
‘Move, move. You gotta move ya feet.’
Over and over again the coach insisted, like an irate seagull fighting for scraps of bread, until they said, ‘Okay, bring it in. What’s wrong with you today? Why aren’t you moving your feet?’
The player shrugged, ‘I’m just not feeling it today’ and that was the end of the session.
Quite often it’s this style of sports-coaching that is associated with coaching in the workplace.
However, as Patrick Mouratoglou, founder of the Mouratoglou Academy said:
‘The real job (of a coach) is to understand how people communicate because it is different for everyone.’
Therefore, this week during our Coaching Café we focus on the practice of Communication.
What Makes a Great Coach? gives us the opportunity to reflect on our own coaching practices. So join Emma, Brigitte and Paula for the Coaching Café this week where we share the research and stories around communication from the book. And most importantly key questions that we can all use to reflect on how we coach around identifying and staying on purpose.
Watch the webinar of this episode or read the blog by visiting our website.
Contact The Coaching Café Podcast
- Stay up to date on our socials @Opendoorcoaching
- Tweet at us @theopendoorcoach
- Email us at learn@opendoorcoaching.com.au
Thanks for listening!...
With mental health in the workplace, it’s ok not have all the answers. You may not know what to say to the person if you are concerned or wonder whether it’s your job. Alternatively, whether you should get others involved, for example HR or suggest contacting the employee assistance programs.
It’s easy to feel out of your depth. In addition, as a manager or coach, when do you take off your coaching hat, and focus on a mental health conversation?
National Mental Health Week is an annual awareness week that aims to shine a spotlight on individual and community mental health and wellbeing. During our Coaching Café this week join Paula and Brigitte as they focus on mental health in the workplace and answer these questions, including what to say, what not to say.
Coaching Café is back this week and we are looking forward to continuing the momentum of focussing on the top 10 practices of the world’s best coaches from What Makes a Great Coach?
This week we focus on the practice of Purpose.
Much of our coaching centres around helping our clients discover and stay on purpose. Furthermore, as a leader or manager in the workplace, setting the purpose and helping your team understand the ‘why’ is a critical leadership skill. It increases engagement, motivation, and performance.
As Peter McCraw, world-renowned development coach of former WTA World No.1’s Maria Sharapova and Jelena Jankovic said: ‘Everything I do has a purpose and a plan. No stone is left unturned.’What Makes a Great Coach? gives us the opportunity to reflect on our own coaching practices. So join Emma and Natalie for this Coaching Café this week where we share the research and stories around ‘purpose’ from the book. And most importantly key questions that we can all use to reflect on how we coach around identifying and staying on purpose.
And it’s official! What Makes a Great Coach? has hit Amazon #1 Best Seller in Australia across Leadership, Organisational Behaviour, Workplace Culture, Teams, Management Skills, Leadership Training, People in the Workplace, Sports Coaching, Tennis…and most importantly Mentoring and Coaching.
We are so grateful for your support, messages and for helping us celebrate. You can pick up your copy here and contact us if you want multiple copies and to access the special offers.
Well it’s official! What Makes a Great Coach? has hit Amazon #1 Best Seller in Australia across Leadership, Organisational Behaviour, Workplace Culture, Teams, Management Skills, Leadership Training, Sports Coaching, Tennis…and most importantly Mentoring and Coaching.
We are so grateful for your support, messages and for helping us celebrate. And we are looking forward to continuing the momentum by discussing the top 10 practices in our forthcoming Coaching Café’s.
This week we focus on Decision Making. And there is a very clear message in the Book that our job as leaders and coaches is to build the decision-making capability in the people we are working with.
We often see people deferring a decision to their manager, stating reasons such as ‘that’s above my pay grade,’ when often it is well within their roles and responsibilities. If we make all the decisions, how are our team members to learn themselves? What do they do when you are not around?
What Makes a Great Coach? gives us the opportunity to reflect on our own coaching practices. So join Emma and Natalie for this Coaching Café this week where we share the research and stories around decision-making from the book. And most importantly key questions that we can all use to reflect on how we coach around building strong decision-makers in the people we are working with.
What can we say? It was a super exciting day!
Join friend and colleague, super-star Coach Emma Doyle and Natalie for the international launch of What Makes a Great Coach?Patrick Mouratoglou, world-renowned tennis coach of Serena Williams and Founder of the Mouratoglou Academy said:
‘I have the highest respect for Emma Doyle. It is rare to witness someone do devoted, enthusiastic, and driven by her passion. And new we can all benefit from her years of experience in this book.’
Jim Loehr, world-renowned performance psychologist and NY Times Best Selling Author said:
‘A compelling read that takes you to the heart of coaching. A must-read for coaches at all levels.’
Based on extensive research from the world’s leading tennis, sport, and business coaches, What Makes a Great Coach? unlocks the secrets from over 500 coaches and the top 10 practices of these coaches. Told through the eye’s of Emma’s own personal and raw journey towards elite coaching, What Makes a Great Coach? features stories, quotes, and inspiration from past and current coaching legends, including the coaches of many former World No. 1s.
Join us for the Coaching Café where we celebrate the launch the book together in Australia, America and internationally.
So many managers tell us that they want their team members to demonstrate ‘more resilience’. Sometimes it’s said with frustration, in a kind of ‘wish they would just get on with it’ manner. But we know that resilience means more than this and more than just bouncing back.
Darren Cahill, former ATP World No. 22 tennis player, tour coach and legendary television commentator said, ‘I think anyone can coach in any sport or business when things are going well; that’s the easy part. But when things are difficult, how do you address those issues?’
Darren is just one of the world’s leading tennis, sport and business coaches interviewed by our friend and colleague, super-star Coach Emma Doyle for the book: What Makes a Great Coach? co-authored with Natalie Ashdown.
What Makes a Great Coach? gives us the opportunity to reflect on our own coaching practices. So join Emma and Natalie for this Coaching Café this week where we share the research and stories around resilience from the book. And most importantly key questions that we can all use to reflect on how we coach around resilience and help managers overcome their frustrations.
You can view a recording of the live webinar on our website
When our friend and colleague, super-star Coach Emma Doyle has asked over 500 of the world’s leading tennis, sport and business coaches: What Makes a Great Coach? empathy sits firmly in the top five in terms of responses.
For example, empathy was mentioned by former WTA World No.4 tennis player Helena Suková; founder of Women’s Tennis Coaching Association (WTCA) and tennis tour coach Sarah Stone; and Australian Rules Football coach David Wheadon. Natalie and Emma also listed empathy in their top three practices.
Empathy easily beats out characteristics that you might expect people to nominate, such as challenging, charismatic, confidence, dependable, dynamic, persistent, and progressive, to name just a handful.
What Makes a Great Coach? gives us the opportunity to reflect on our own coaching practices. So join us for this Coaching Café this week where we share the research and stories around empathy from the book. And most importantly key questions that we can all use to reflect on how we bring empathy to our coaching and our work.
What does legendary coach Judy Murray, OBE think makes a great coach?
‘Someone who listens’
That was the answer to What Makes a Great Coach? given to us by Judy Murray OBE, legendary coach and the mother of Andy Murray, former ATP World No. 1 in men’s singles and Jamie Murray, former ATP World No. 1 in men’s doubles.
And
By one of the best tennis players of all time, Roger Federer.
Of course, this will come as no surprise for most of you reading this. But if you are like our friend and colleague, super-star Coach Emma Doyle and Natalie, it’s true that we were not always good listeners!
This week we build on our momentum in the lead up to the launch of our new book called: What Makes a Great Coach? And it’s also exciting to be getting ready for the book launch on Friday 9th September at 12noon (Melbourne time or Thursday night 8pm if you are in the US).
What Makes a Great Coach? gives us the opportunity to reflect on our own coaching practices. So join us for this Coaching Café this week where we share the research and stories around LISTENING from the book. You will find out who in the elite world of tennis and business answered ‘listening’ as their top quality of a great coach. And most importantly key questions that we can all use to reflect on how we can focus on listening in coaching and our work.
How exciting to share with you last week that we have a new book coming out called: What Makes a Great Coach? And it’s also exciting to be getting ready for the book launch!
Over the past 6 years, our friend and colleague, super-star Coach Emma Doyle has asked over 500 of the world’s leading tennis, sport and business coaches: What Makes a Great Coach? and together with Natalie they have distilled this down to the top 10 practices.
This week we are going to explore the number one practice: Passion. We are not talking about ‘ra ra’ passion, but the authentic, genuine passion that becomes a driving force. As legendary former AFL Coach and premiership captain David Parkin said:
‘Coaching is about passion. You need plenty of it if you are going to survive in this world.’
What Makes a Great Coach? gives us the opportunity to reflect on our own coaching practices. So join us for this Coaching Café this week where we share the research and stories around passion from the book. And most importantly key questions that we can all use to reflect on how we bring passion to our coaching and our work.
You can view a recording of the live webinar on our website
We have a very exciting announcement to share with you at this week’s Coaching Café.
Join Natalie and our friend and colleague, super-star Coach Emma Doyle as they announce their new book What Makes a Great Coach? and tell you how you can be a part of the book launch.
Over the past 6 years, Emma has asked over 500 of the world’s leading tennis, sport and business coaches: What Makes a Great Coach? and together with Natalie they have distilled this down to the top 10 practices.
Told through the eye’s of Emma’s own personal and raw journey towards elite coaching, What Makes a Great Coach? features stories, quotes, and inspiration from past and current coaching legends, including the coaches of many former World No. 1s.
Over the next four weeks we are excited to introduce you to some of the key insights around What Makes a Great Coach? from the research.
Join us for the Coaching Café this week where we share the background to the research and Emma’s inspirational story that led to the book being created. We will also tell you all about the book launch and how you can be involved.
You can view a recording of the live webinar on our website
We have a very exciting announcement to share with you at this week’s Coaching Café.
Join Natalie and our friend and colleague, super-star Coach Emma Doyle as they announce their new book What Makes a Great Coach? and tell you how you can be a part of the book launch.
Over the past 6 years, Emma has asked over 500 of the world’s leading tennis, sport and business coaches: What Makes a Great Coach? and together with Natalie they have distilled this down to the top 10 practices.
Told through the eye’s of Emma’s own personal and raw journey towards elite coaching, What Makes a Great Coach? features stories, quotes, and inspiration from past and current coaching legends, including the coaches of many former World No. 1s.
Over the next four weeks we are excited to introduce you to some of the key insights around What Makes a Great Coach? from the research.
Join us for the Coaching Café this week where we share the background to the research and Emma’s inspirational story that led to the book being created. We will also tell you all about the book launch and how you can be involved.
You can view a recording of the live webinar on our website
During our recent Coaching Café’s we’ve been focussed on what good coaching looks like. Particularly focussing on good coaching questions that make a difference. For our Coaching Café this week, we change tact, and will take a look at what not to do during your coaching conversations.
Join us to see two coaches, who have both been coaching for nearly 20 years, actually try to do bad coaching. The result is a hilarious and cringe-worthy attempt at doing all the things we know we aren’t meant to! Jumping into the space, cutting the client off, picking the topic for the client and making suggestions.
But for those of us who are coaching managers to coach their teams, they are likely to be doing all these behaviours, without even knowing it.
Join us for this Coaching Café where we will definitely have a laugh, and most importantly remind ourselves of what not to do during a coaching conversation.
You can view a recording of the live webinar on our website
It’s nice to be back with you! We pick up our Coaching Café this week, refreshed after a bit of a break and tackle our most popular topic: coaching upwards.
We often get asked during our coaching programs: can I use these techniques to coach my manager or my Boss? And it’s not uncommon that a participant will set their goal for the program as: getting more tools to coach upwards.
So, we asked Open Door’s Resident HR specialist Paula-Jones Hunt to lead the Coaching Café this week and share her nearly 20-years of experience with coaching team members to have upwards conversations with their manager.
Whether you need to do a bit of coaching upwards or you are coaching staff to have upwards conversations, this is a webinar that we are all going to benefit from.
Without a doubt, one of the best things about our Coaching Café is the ability to learn from each other. We are so privileged that the Open Door Alumni (made up of past and present students) and all of you who read this email, come together every Friday to explore and stretch our coaching knowledge and skills. It’s only 30 minutes, but it is a highlight of our week to discuss key topics with such a talented and insightful bunch of people.
This year we are super excited to feature Open Door Alumni, who are both experts and authors. So please contact us if you would like to be featured on the Coaching Café.
We conclude our series on getting ready for annual performance reviews in our Coaching Café this week. This week we turn our attention to focusing on strengths during the performance review to enable high performance.
Research suggests a focus on strengths during the performance review conversation can have a 36.5% uplift in performance, increase engagement by 73% and decrease staff turnover by 49%.
Join us for the Coaching Café this week where Natalie returns to be joined by Paula-Jones Hunt our Resident HR specialist to talk about how to unlock these benefits in your workplace.
In addition, over the past few weeks, we’ve looked at key tips; a framework to set those conversations up for success; how to manage the trickier conversations; and the performance development plan (yes there’s a lot to catch up on if you’ve missed the Cafés recently but you can do that via our blog or podcasts).
Whether you are involved in developing annual performance systems, coaching managers, a manager embarking on the annual performance review season, or getting yourself ready for your own performance review, this is a webinar that we are all going to benefit from.
Without a doubt, one of the best things about our Coaching Café is the ability to learn from each other. We are so privileged that the Open Door Alumni (made up of past and present students) and all of you who read this email, come together every Friday to explore and stretch our coaching knowledge and skills. It’s only 30 minutes, but it is a highlight of our week to discuss key topics with such a talented and insightful bunch of people.
This year we are super excited to feature Open Door Alumni, who are both experts and authors. So please contact us if you would like to be featured on the Coaching Café.
You can view a recording of the live webinar on our website
We continue our conversations around getting ready for annual performance reviews in our Coaching Café this week. Over the past few weeks, we’ve looked at key tips; a framework to set those conversations up for success; how to manage the trickier conversations; and the performance development plan (yes there’s a lot to catch up on if you’ve missed the Cafés recently but you can do that via our blog or podcasts).
This week we turn our attention to turning the conversation into a more meaningful career discussion.
Join us for the Coaching Café this week where our Resident HR Specialist, Paula-Jones Hunt is joined by Veronica Millen, author and Open Door Alumni, to discuss her new book ‘Career Agility’.
“How do you remain in your career ‘sweet spot’ as the world of work changes and evolves?” That’s the question that is answered in Veronica’s book and you can join us for this unique opportunity to find out the answer, as well as pick Veronica’s expert brain around coaching and career conversations during the annual performance review season.
One of the best things about our Coaching Café is the ability to learn from each other. We are so privileged that the Open Door Alumni (made up of past and present students) and all of you who read this email, come together every Friday to explore and stretch our coaching knowledge and skills. It’s only 30 minutes, but it is a highlight of our week to discuss key topics with such a talented and insightful bunch of people.
This year we are super excited to feature Open Door Alumni, who are both experts and authors. So please contact us if you would like to be featured on the Coaching Café.
Whether you are involved in developing annual performance systems, coaching managers, a manager embarking on the annual performance review season, or getting yourself ready for your own performance review, this is a webinar that we are all going to benefit from.
You can view a recording of the live webinar on our website
We continue our conversations around getting ready for annual performance reviews in our Coaching Café this week. Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve looked at key tips and a framework to set those conversations up for success, and how to manage the trickier conversations. This week we turn our attention to that box that says ‘state your development plan for the next 12 months’.
This box and task is something that managers often moan about. But there is a lot to be gained from coaching people around setting strong development goals. And Natalie has even been known to put herself on a performance development plan!
Join us for the Coaching Café this week where our Resident HR Specialist, Paula-Jones Hunt will share how a coaching approach can work when setting up the development plan as part of the annual performance review.
Of course, we are always answering questions during our Coaching Cafes and drawing on the collective experience of the Alumni on the line. And this webinar also gives us the chance as a group to continue with that practice and for you to share what you are doing around a coaching approach to performance reviews. Send us your question ahead of time or jump on-line and throw your question into the chat.
Whether you are involved in developing annual performance systems, coaching managers, a manager embarking on the annual performance review season, or getting yourself ready for your own performance review, this is a webinar that we are all going to benefit from.
You can view a recording of the live webinar on our website
During our Coaching Café this week we continue our conversations around getting ready for annual performance reviews. Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve looked at key tips and a framework to set those conversations up for success, and how to manage the trickier conversations. This week we turn our attention answering whatever question you’d like to throw at us!
· What do you do about the people who don’t have goals?
· How can we avoid the tick boxing exercise?
· What are the best questions to ask?
Whatever your question, join us for the Coaching Café this week where Natalie and our Resident HR Specialist, Paula-Jones Hunt will share their ideas and how a coaching approach can work.
Of course, we are always answering questions during our Coaching Cafes and drawing on the collective experience of the Alumni on the line. And this gives us the chance as a group to continue with that practice. Send us your question ahead of time or jump on-line and throw your question into the chat.
Whether you are involved in developing annual performance systems, coaching managers, a manager embarking on the annual performance review season, or getting yourself ready for your own performance review, this is a webinar that we are all going to benefit from.
You can view a recording of the live webinar on our website.
Happy International Coach Week to you all!
The theme for ICW which runs from 16 May – 22 May 2022 is Reimagine the Future and it gives us all a chance to celebrate and reflect on coaching today and into the future.
This year Open Door is celebrating with a very special collaboration featuring Natalie and CEO of Proxima Strategy Anita Green, who will join us from Abu Dhabi to present:
Organizations Reimagined: transforming the future with coaching
You might also remember Anita in her capacity as Squadron Leader of Air Force and her inspiring case study on the implementation of coaching at Air Force featured during our even last year. Click here to have another listen.
Join us for this special event whereNatalie and Anita will explore:
· How does a culture of coaching enable organisational transformation?
· How can an organisation design and implement a coaching culture?
· Key lessons on the implementation and outcomes of organisational coaching.
· Why is coaching important to our futures?
**Our special event replaces the Coaching Café this week (so no Café on Friday).
You can view a recording of the live webinar on our website
During our Coaching Café this week we continue our conversations around getting ready for annual performance reviews. Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve looked at key tips and a framework to set those conversations up for success. This week we turn our attention to the trickier performance conversations.
We were recently asked by a frustrated manager:
What do you do about the people who don’t have goals? Don’t really care? Aren’t prepared or are just working out to retirement? You have to write something on the performance review form!
This is where coaching really comes in handy. At Open Door we want you to get on the front foot. So in our Coaching Café this week Natalie and our Resident HR Specialist, Paula-Jones Hunt will turn their attention to the trickier conversations and how a coaching approach can work. We will also share another of Open Door’s coaching tools for performance conversations that works in these situations.
Whether you are involved in developing annual performance systems, coaching managers, a manager embarking on the annual performance review season, or getting yourself ready for your own performance review, this is a webinar that we are all going to benefit from.
You can view a recording of the live webinar on our website
This week we continue our conversations around getting ready for annual performance reviews. Many organisations are entering into the annual performance review season and that means trying to schedule in appointments with the team; meeting the demands from HR Managers to submit reviews by deadlines; and for a number of people, assisting managers to have good quality conversations. This is where coaching really comes in handy.
At Open Door we want you to get on the front foot. So in our Coaching Café this week Brigitte Calvert and our Resident HR Specialist, Paula-Jones Hunt will share with us how a coaching approach really works for the annual performance conversation. And share Open Door’s framework for coaching questions that are perfect for the conversation.
Whether you are involved in developing annual performance systems, coaching managers, a manager embarking on the annual performance review season, or getting yourself ready for your own performance review, this is a webinar that we are all going to benefit from.
You can view a recording of the live webinar on our websiteMany organisations are entering into the annual performance review season and that means trying to schedule in appointments with the team; meeting the demands from HR Managers to submit reviews by deadlines; and for a number of people, assisting managers to have good quality conversations. This is where coaching really comes in handy.
There is a lot we can do to coach our managers and team members to have successful annual performance conversations. Performance conversations that lead people to feel proud and energised about their work; rather than dreading this time of year and for some thinking about all the extra work that it may involve – on top of everything else in your plate.
At Open Door we want you to get on the front foot. So we have asked our Resident HR Specialist, Paula-Jones Hunt to join us for our Coaching Café to share with us how a coaching approach really works for the annual performance conversation.
Paula will bring over 25 years of HR experience, along with her expertise around coaching managers to coach their teams, and give us her top tips for setting up the annual performance conversations for success. Whether you are involved in developing annual performance systems, coaching managers, a manager embarking on the performance season, or getting yourself ready for your own performance review, this is a webinar that we are all going to benefit from.
You can view a recording of the live webinar on our website here.
Natalie’s presentation to the ICF Australasia ACT Branch was a hit and people walked away inspired and motivated about the changes that are happening a global level, to increase the professionalism of the industry.
We are talking, specifically about the recent changes to the ICF Core Competencies AND the changes that will ensure that coach training providers are now accredited with the ICF. Significantly, we have not seen these types of changes at a global level for over 20 years. In fact, it’s never been a requirement for providers of coach training to be accredited by the ICF, only their programs.
The good news is that at Open Door we have already implemented all the core competency changes into our coach training curriculum. But if you missed the presentation to the ICF Australasia ACT Branch, join us for the Coaching Café where Natalie will provide an overview of the exciting changes, that we expect will increase the global professionalism of the industry. Natalie will also focus on what the changes mean for coaching in the workplace including internal coaching and executive coaching.
What are we trying to achieve with mental health in the workplace? Is there any such thing as the ‘new normal’? What is really happening with mental health? And how do I support my team? How do I even bring up the conversation if I suspect something might have ‘issues’?
These are just some of the questions that you might be curious about, or perhaps you have another burning question about mental health in your workplace? Well to help you out, our Coaching Café this week is dedicated to giving you the opportunity to ask these questions and more, in a safe and non-judgemental environment.
Join us for this Coaching Café where we explore questions around mental health in the workplace with our mental health expert, Nick McEwan-Hall.
My inbox is full of articles and media commentary about the ‘great workforce resignation’ and the ‘evolving workplace’. But interestingly, very little has been written about how to coach team members around their careers and having career conversations in the context of the changing workplace.
Thankfully, we can tap into the amazing Open Door Alumni to get some key insights from experts. Better still we have the opportunity to talk to a person who has recently authored a book on the topic!
Join us for this Coaching Café where we welcome Veronica Millen, an Open Door Alumni, to discuss her new book ‘Career Agility’.
“How do you remain in your career ‘sweet spot’ as the world of work changes and evolves?” That’s the question that is answered in Veronica’s book and you can join us for this unique opportunity to find out the answer, as well as pick Veronica’s expert brain around coaching and career conversations.
One of the best things about our Coaching Café is the ability to learn from each other. We are so privileged that the Open Door Alumni (made up of past and present students) and all of you who read this email, come together every Friday to explore and stretch our coaching knowledge and skills. It’s only 30 minutes, but it is a highlight of our week to discuss key topics with such a talented and insightful bunch of people.
This year we are super excited to feature Open Door Alumni, who are both experts and authors. So please contact us if you would like to be featured on the Coaching Café.
You can see the full video of this coaching cafe webinar on our website here.
How do we create engagement in the workplace? Well as leaders, managers and coaches we are often focussed on others, and less on ourselves. Coach Mel Leow, MCC, suggests that engagement must start with our own self-coaching. Self-coaching is not just a module in the Certificate IV in Workplace and Business Coaching, it is a skill that we need to practice often, even on a daily basis. And he’s written a book about it called ENGAGE!
Join us for this Coaching Café where we welcome a special guest, author and long-term Open Door Alumni and friend, Mel Leow, MCC who will share some of the highlights of his new book ENGAGE. Get ready to be inspired and engaged!
If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each Friday.
If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development. In addition, you have the opportunity to collect ICF CCEU’s for FREE. In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Friday lunchtimes, just like we all do!
You can watch the video of this webinar on our website here.
‘These tools are really great, but can you use the tools to coach upwards?’ It’s a question that we get asked often during our coaching programs. And it always comes with a sense of hesitation or concern.
Of course, we say that you can coach upwards, downwards and sidewards, but how feasible is that? Should I coach upwards? Can I coach upwards? Do these tools work upwards? And what if you are in a hierarchical organisation?
Join us for this Coaching Café where we welcome a special guest: Group Captain Forster (Foz) Breckenridge, Air Force, to help us answer these questions. Foz will share the practical ‘5 P’s’ for coaching upwards and his years of experience as a senior officer with Air Force to demonstrate what to do and what not to do.
If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each Friday.
If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development. In addition, you have the opportunity to collect ICF CCEU’s for FREE. In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Friday lunchtimes, just like we all do!
You can see the full video of this coaching cafe on our website here.
To be honest I’ve not paid much attention to the ‘R‘ in SMART Goal Setting, ie. making sure that the goals are REALISTIC. That is until I found myself not achieving some big goals within the timeframes that I had set. Perhaps you’ve experienced this in the frantic lead up to the end of last year?
‘Being too realistic gets in the way of achieving big visions’ was a mantra that I used to trot out and, in the past, I could be known to scowl at people who would try to be ‘too realistic’ when I was coming up with big plans.
And I do say IN THE PAST…thankfully not any more.
There’s one thing to set big goals, but it’s another way of thinking to ensure that the goals are realistic and achievable. Maybe you are doing Feb-fast; maybe you’ve set goals at the beginning of the year; maybe you’ve been a bit stuck for motivation around goals or have only just now had the chance to start thinking about your goals?
Whatever your motivation it’s good timing to join us for the Coaching Café to take a fresh look at the value of the ‘R’ in SMART and how this might benefit your own performance or the performance of your team or clients.
If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each Friday.
If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development. In addition, you have the opportunity to collect ICF CCEU’s for FREE. In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Friday lunchtimes, just like we all do!
You can see the video of this Coaching Cafe on our blog.
We continue our Coaching Café webinar this week with another look at the most highly attended and popular topic from 2021: best practice in introducing a coaching culture.
Many of us across the Open Door Coaching Alumni are involved in introducing coaching into teams, business units and into the organisation, with the view of creating a culture of coaching in the workplace.
In this webinar, Natalie takes us back to the Coaching Culture Framework which is being used as the best practice framework to underpin the implementation of coaching in many organisations, and is featured in our Diploma of Organisational Coaching (10835NAT) program. Natalie will explain: What is a coaching culture? Why is it so important? And share the framework for implementation. Get ready to be inspired!
Watch the webinar recording for this episode here.
Well here we are…welcome to Coaching Cafes 2022!
Not long ago we signed off for the year, with a recap on the trends in coaching that we predicated for 2021. And now here we are, gazing into our re-usable coffee mugs and thinking about trends that we will see in coaching for 2022.
The good news is that you actually don’t need your double shot cappuccino for inspiration - there are a lot of big changes being broadcast and implemented by the International Coaching Federation that will have a positive impact on our industry. In addition, there are several trends that we are seeing in our research and through conversations with people like yourself.
Join Natalie to kick off a new and exciting year of Coaching Cafés; as we discuss the changes from the international coaching federation, and also gather your insights into key trends for 2022.
If you are a regular, you know the vibe and the great contribution that you make to our discussions; so we look forward to welcoming you back and offering you a value-packed 30 minutes each Friday.
If you’ve not joined us for a Coaching Café, now is your opportunity to schedule this time for your professional and personal development. In addition, you have the opportunity to collect ICF CCEU’s for FREE when you join the live webinars. In no time at all, you’ll be looking forward to Friday lunchtimes, just like we all do!
Back in March when we held our first Coaching Café for the year, we discussed 5 trends in coaching for 2021. Of course, back then, we had come out of extended lockdowns and for half of Australia, we were definitely not expecting to go back into some of the longest and toughest lockdowns in the world.
We’ve covered so much this year in our Coaching Cafés from ‘juggling and coaching through lockdown fatigue’, to exploring best practice in coaching culture and learning from leaders. And we have loved the opportunity to come together as an Alumni each week, to share ideas and experience and to learn together.
With this in mind, join Natalie for the final Coaching Café of the year where we explore the highlights of the Coaching Cafes and reflect on the year that was.
What does ‘competent’ coaching look like; sound like; feel like?
What do coaches do that would deem them to be ‘not yet competent’ from a ICF core competency point of view?
Do you think you’d be deemed as ‘competent’ or ‘not yet competent’ against the international standards?
Join us for this Coaching Café where you have the unique opportunity to learn from Open Door’s Learning and Development Manager, Brigitte Calvert.
As an ICF assessor and an expert in listening to coaching and giving feedback to hundreds of coaches, Brigitte brings a unique perspective on what is competent and not-yet-competent coaching.
This is a great opportunity to compare your coaching to what is expected at an international level, and perhaps choose a couple of areas of focussed for your own development.
How does coaching build workplace engagement?
How do you go from 65% engagement to 91% in just two years?
We know that coaching builds engagement in the workplace, but what are the actual results and what role does coaching play in building workforce engagement?
For over 10 years Jonathan Millen has been building engagement in his teams using a coaching approach.
He’s currently Senior Manager Capability for Tabcorp, but he’s going to share with us how he moved a team from 65% engagement to 91%, over the course of two years while at NAB.
Since his early days at National Australia Bank where he inherited a team with 65% engagement and built this to 91% in just two years, to his current role as
Join Natalie as we continue our ‘learning from leaders’ series during our Coaching Café. You’ll have the unique opportunity to hear and learn from Jonathan’s experience as he moved from team member, to manager to ‘leader as coach’; how coaching has helped him as a leader; and how coaching enables engagement. At the same time as always, you will walk away informed and inspired.
In this episode of the coaching café podcast, Natalie is joined by Heather-Jane Gray, MCC and CEO Of Synergy Global.
Continuing our learning from leaders series, we’re talking about what trends we are seeing in coaching, as well as How coaching will evolve in the post-pandemic world.
At Open Door we are in a privileged position to be working with people who are influencing and championing coaching within organisations, including our wide Alumni and newsletter subscribers which you are a part of.
Join Natalie and the Open Door Alumni for this Coaching Café where you will have the opportunity to learn, discuss and ask questions of the leaders in our coaching community.
You can find the full video recording of this coaching cafe here.
Don’t forget to check out all the available episodes. Sometimes you need to scroll back to see them all.
There’s ten in total and they cover a range of interesting topics and themes.
Our live coaching cafe webinars will be back next week. You can find more information about those on our website by clicking here.
We all know that coaching ‘works’, but how do we specifically measure the return on investment?
This week we continue our discussion about best practice in the implementation of a coaching culture in your organisation.
We’ll look at the ways that we can measure the impact of coaching on individuals, teams and the whole organisation.
Join Natalie for this Coaching Café as she introduces you to a key framework for measuring return on investment with current examples from clients we have worked with.
See the full video of this coaching cafe on our website here.
In this episode we continue our discussion about best practice in the implementation of a coaching culture in your organisation.
Part of the strategy side of implementation is creating those visible signs of coaching - and we call these ‘organisational artefacts’. Artefacts might include job descriptions, a web page on the intranet and even posters.
Join Brigitte for this Coaching Café as she introduces you to a wide range of organisational artefacts that support the implementation of coaching in your team.
Elite sport stars, emergency service workers, members of our armed forces, senior executives and the list goes on…what is one thing that they all have in common to achieve high performance? They all practice mindfulness. And during Mental Health Awareness Week we want to give you the opportunity to do the same.
Whether you practice mindfulness regularly, want to get back into a routine or you are a curious beginner, every minute of mindfulness can make a difference to your mental health.
The sessions were super popular during International Coach Week and Mental Health Awareness week and people logged on from around the world. Join Natalie for this 15-minute morning mindfulness practice and we can (almost guarantee) you’ll feel more calm, centred, and ready to take on the day.
What happens when two coaches, who have both been coaching for over 15 years, actually try to do bad coaching?
The result is a hilarious and cringe-worthy attempt at doing all the things we know we aren’t meant to! : jumping into the space, cutting the client off, picking the topic for the client and making suggestions. But for those of us who are coaching managers to coach their teams, they are likely to be doing all these behaviours, without even knowing it.
Let’s take a look at what bad coaching sounds like!
Join us for this Coaching Café where we will definitely have a laugh, and most importantly remind ourselves of what not so good coaching looks like.
You'll find the video of this coaching cafe on our blog here.
This week we continue our conversation around measuring the return on investment from coaching in the workplace.
We all know that coaching works, but we have to be able to justify the investment and put clear measurements in place to support the workforce strategy or business case.
In our last webinar we explored the qualitative measurements with a particular focus on the Kirkpatrick model.
In this webinar, join Brigitte as we explore the ‘numbers’ side of return on investment by looking at some of the key numbers-based metrics.
You'll find the full video of this coaching cafe on our website here.
Watch the full video on our website here.
What does it take to champion a culture of coaching within your organisation? Does it have to be a top-down approach or can you start anywhere to influence the culture of coaching? At Open Door we are in a privileged position to be working with people who are influencing and championing coaching in their organisation, including our wide Alumni and newsletter subscribers which you are a part of.
Join us for this Coaching Café where Natalie introduces us to the characteristics of the coaching champion and most importantly you will get to hear from and have your questions answered by one such inspirational champion, Leisa Bowness, Learning and Development Manager, Resources Safety & Health Queensland.
This podcast is taken from our live coaching cafe webinars. You can see the full video on our website here.
Lockdown fatigue is a term that is becoming a part of our every-day discussions. It’s referring to the tiredness and strains that we are feeling because of the restrictions being placed on us, and the multiple demands that we are facing. With our largest states in a hard lockdown, ‘lockdown fatigue’ is likely setting in for your teams. And if you aren’t in lockdown, chances are that you’re working with people or teams who are.
Humans are not designed to thrive in lockdown conditions, so it’s no surprise that the strain of lockdowns are having an effect on our mental health, including our approach to work and interactions.
Join Natalie for this coaching café, where we discuss recognising the signs of lockdown fatigue, how it affects our mental health and importantly how to have conversations or coach our team members through these times.
This is also a great opportunity to share your experience and how you are managing yourself and leading your team through lockdowns.
You can see the full video from this webinar on our website here.
We know that 1 in 5 Australian will at some time during the year, suffer from mental illness. And we know that working from home, lock downs things like home schooling, are ramping up the pressure on people.
Therefore, recognising the signs of depression or anxiety in your co-workers is really important right now.
Join me for this Coaching Café where we share the signs of depression and anxiety in the workplace. And I’m going to share simple little script to open up the conversation to check in with someone.
We are not diagnosing; this is not therapy; we are not psychologists. We are taking an evidence-based but simple approach to look after each other as the pressure in the workplace mounts for some people.
View the recording from the live webinar here.
The juggling act is real. We are all juggling work commitments, on top of looking after our teams, home, family, physical and mental health and the list goes on. Add the pressure of working from home or managing a team across a range of lockdown scenarios, and the juggling becomes even more challenging. For some, there is a feeling of not even having 10 minutes of time for myself.
Join Natalie and wider Open Door community as we take a break from the juggling, to discuss coaching strategies and a positive mindful approach to our current times. We can almost guarantee that you’ll feel a lot better after this webinar!