Interviewing Martin Mercer, CEO Scentia

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!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] 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.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] 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 differenceThis 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.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

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 importantThis 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.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

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 worldTranscripts 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!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

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 conversationsTranscripts 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!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

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.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

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 workTranscripts 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!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

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 coachingTranscripts 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!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!

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 workThis 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.Want to join us live every Friday? Register Here!  Engage with The Coaching Café PodcastStay up to date on our socials InstagramFacebookLinkedInEmail us at [email protected] for listening!