Episode 20 – From jazz musician to professional coach – Neil Mackinnon’s coaching journey Artwork

Coaching Conversations with the AoEC

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

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Coaching Conversations with the AoEC

Episode 20 – From jazz musician to professional coach – Neil Mackinnon’s coaching journey

May 19, 2026 • The AoEC

0:00 | 55:37

In this episode, the format is reversed as Lucy Tulloch, head of faculty and coach education at the AoEC, interviews senior faculty member Neil Mackinnon in a reflective and candid conversation about his journey into coaching and his philosophy of practice.

Neil shares his unconventional path from a career in music and the arts into coaching, exploring how creativity, listening and presence have shaped his approach. He reflects on the pivotal coaching experience that transformed his career direction and the process of building a practice grounded in relationships, self-awareness and continuous development.

Together, they explore what it really means to “be” a coach, moving beyond models and techniques to consider coaching as a relational and creative act. The conversation also highlights the role of coach education in developing reflective practitioners, the impact of faculty, and what differentiates meaningful learning experiences.

Looking ahead, they discuss the evolving coaching landscape, including the rise of AI, the importance of ethics and human connection, and the opportunities for coaches to create lasting impact through deeper, more conscious work.

This episode will resonate with aspiring coaches, practising professionals and anyone curious about the deeper human work behind effective coaching and coach education.

You can connect with our speakers here:

· Lucy Tulloch, head of faculty & coach education - global, the AoEC – host

· Neil Mackinnon, senior faculty, the AoEC – guest speaker