Coaching Conversations with the AoEC

Leading with Purpose in a Climate Changed World

As climate pressures intensify, leaders across every sector are being asked deeper, more urgent questions about the role of their organisations and the values guiding their decisions. In this special Climate Coaching Action Day [https://www.climatecoachingactionday.info/] episode, Professor Katie Bailey and Dr Katie Manning - co‑editors of The Purpose‑Driven Organisation in Times of Climate Crisis [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Purpose-Driven-Organisation-Routledge-Research-Sustainability/dp/1032898968] - join host George Warren to explore what it truly means to lead with purpose in a climate‑changed world. This episode offers an honest, human‑centred conversation about organisations and leadership in the climate era - balancing practical organisational insight with the inner work leaders must undertake to show up with clarity, compassion, and conviction. For coaches and leaders alike, this is an essential exploration of how purpose can help reshape business for a regenerative, responsible future. You can link with the speakers here: * George Warren [https://www.linkedin.com/in/edgeofcoaching/], Associate Faculty, the AoEC [https://www.aoec.com/] and executive coach, the Edge of Coaching [https://www.linkedin.com/company/edge-of-coaching-podcast/] – host * Professor Katie Bailey, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-bailey-3a23098/] Emerita Professor of Work and Employment, Kings College London [https://www.kcl.ac.uk/] - guest panellist  * Dr Katie Manning [https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-manning-8380a223/], Lecturer in Climate Change, Business, and Society, Kings College London [https://www.kcl.ac.uk/] - guest panellist

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

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Heighway, founder of Be Business Fit and author of The Strength Report 2025 [https://www.bebusinessfit.co.uk/the-strength-report], to unpack what 170 UK leaders and professionals told her about coaching in their organisations. The findings reveal a clear appetite for coaching, but also persistent barriers that keep it out of reach for many. We discuss: *  Why coaching is a necessity for confident leadership, not a luxury for the few * The gap between perception and reality: “coaching is for anyone” vs who actually gets it * The hidden costs of not coaching and how to make the ROI case * Practical steps to normalise coaching access across all levels Whether you’re a senior leader, HR decision-maker or simply curious about how coaching strengthens culture and performance, this conversation offers insight, evidence and actionable ideas. You can link with the speakers here:  * Karen Smart [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-smart-aoec/], faculty, the AoEC [https://www.aoec.com/] – host * Sam Heighway [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-heighway-741a8220/], director and founder Be Business Fit [https://www.bebusinessfit.co.uk/] - guest panellist  You can also connect with Sam via Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bebusinessfit/] or Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/bbusinessfit].

Episode 16 – Why executive coaching belongs in your portfolio career

In this episode, we explore how executive coaching can become a powerful and versatile strand in a portfolio career. Joined by two graduates of our Practitioner Diploma in Executive Coaching programme [https://www.aoec.com/programmes/practitioner-diploma-executive-coaching/], we hear how they transitioned from corporate life to building fulfilling, multi-dimensional careers where coaching plays a central role.  We discuss: *  Why coaching is a valuable skillset for those designing a portfolio career * How to make the shift from a single-track role to a more flexible, purpose-led path * The personal and professional growth that coaching unlocks * Real stories of reinvention, resonance and rediscovery Whether you're actively building a portfolio career or simply curious about what’s possible beyond the 9-to-5, this conversation offers inspiration, insight and practical takeaways. You can link with the speakers here: ·       Lucy Tulloch [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucytulloch/], the AoEC & Lucy Tulloch Coaching – host ·       Dr Claire Handby [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-claire-handby-fciob-mapm-509553a/],  Dr Claire Handby Business Leadership Ltd - guest panellist  ·       Helen Keddie [https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-keddie/], Keddie Consultancy & Coaching Ltd – guest panellist To find out more about coach training and coaching, please visit the AoEC’s website www.aoec.com [https://www.aoec.com/].

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

In this special B Corp Month [https://www.bcorpmonth.com/] episode, we delve into the stories of some of the UK’s top-performing B Corp [https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/] certified organisations in the Worker category. Through conversations with their HR leaders, we uncover what sets their workplace cultures apart, the innovative approaches they’ve taken to employee development, and the practices that underpin their outstanding employee engagement and satisfaction. Join us to explore the strategies that help these purpose-driven organisations excel and lead the way in fostering exceptional workplaces.  You can link with the speakers here: Karen Smart [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-smart-aoec/], head of consultancy/senior faculty at the AoEC [https://www.aoec.com/] – host Victoria Birks [https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-birks/], head of operations, Socius [https://www.socius.dev/] – guest panellist Beth Gaudin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-gaudin-987b9014/], director and head of people, Forster Communications [https://forster.co.uk/] – guest panellist About Socius: Socius [https://socius.de] is an impactful developer with a £2.5bn development pipeline across major UK towns and cities including Bristol, Brighton, Cambridge, Milton Keynes and London. Privately-owned and certified B Corp, Socius partners with global investors to balance profit and purpose whilst delivering inspiring and sustainable mixed-use places. About Forster Communications: Turning your sustainability ambitions into action, Forster Communications [https://forster.co.uk/] is 100% focused on tackling climate change, driving social justice and improving lives. It combines insights, experience and connections to solve complex communications challenges, address barriers that are preventing progress, engage relevant audiences and deliver measurable change for its clients, their stakeholders and society. Forster Communications works with global and local businesses to accelerate positive change through communications strategy and planning, thought leadership, employee engagement and campaigning. With a deep understanding of social and environmental issues and live, cross-sector connections, the company can help you move from wanting to make a difference, to real action and results. To find out more about coach training and coaching, please visit the AoEC’s website www.aoec.com [https://www.aoec.com/].

Episode 14: Coaching in action at Wavelength Connect

Join us as we go behind the scenes of Wavelength Connect, which is a unique executive education and leadership development programme focused on the theme of The Future of Business. Each year they bring together a cohort of 60 leaders from sectors that do not normally interact and provide access to a global array of the most admired, successful, and innovative companies, leaders and thinkers. Across this nine-month, in-person, experiential programme of events, behind the brand visits, peer working groups and executive coaching, leaders are immersed in four key themes: Global perspectives on innovation & agility Culture & future workforce The responsible organisation Personal leadership Having formed a partnership back in 2021, AoEC has been supporting Wavelength Connect participants with top notch, highly qualified, and highly experienced executive coaches to help leaders make the most of the programme and translate inspiration into application. You can link with the speakers here: Karen Smart [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-smart-aoec/], head of consultancy at the AoEC [https://www.aoec.com/coaching-for-companies/] – Host Jessica Stack [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-stack-frsa-79164721/], founder, Wavelength - guest panelist If you would like to know more about Wavelength [https://www.wavelengthleadership.com/connect/] and the Connect programme, get in touch [https://www.wavelengthleadership.com/get-in-touch/] with the team here. To find out more about coach training and coaching, please visit the AoEC’s website www.aoec.com [https://www.aoec.com/].