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:

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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:

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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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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.

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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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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:

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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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