In this CPD-focused episode of the SOM Podcast, Steve Randall speaks with Fiona Day — former public health consultant, NHS medical director, chartered coaching psychologist, and leadership development specialist — about how coaching psychology is transforming leadership and mentoring in healthcare.  

Fiona shares insights from her 20+ year medical career, her transition into executive coaching, and her research into evidence-based leadership development. She explains the growing evidence that experiential learning, coaching, and mentoring are among the most effective methods for developing healthcare leaders — and why coaching psychology, in particular, creates sustained behavioural change by working at the “metacognitive” level.  

The conversation explores:

•  How coaching differs from traditional leadership training
•  Why mentors should learn to coach first
• How coaching improves wellbeing, confidence, and decision-making 
• The emerging evidence base, including systematic reviews and published outcome data 
• Practical advice for occupational health professionals who want to develop coaching and mentoring skills  

This episode provides a roadmap for listeners looking to enhance their leadership impact, improve mentoring practice, and professionalise coaching within healthcare.   

**Key Topics Discussed**  

• Evidence-based leadership development in healthcare 
• Coaching psychology vs traditional leadership training 
• Mentoring and coaching: when to advise and when to facilitate discovery 
• Developing metacognitive skills in leaders 
• Measuring coaching outcomes and wellbeing impact
• Published research on coaching effectiveness
• Professional accreditation and standards in coaching and mentoring 
• Practical steps to begin a coaching journey
• Resources for further learning

Fiona's Website:www.fionadayconsulting.co.uk 
Fiona's Podcast: Transformational Thinking for Health Leaders

Articles mentioned in the episode:

https://bmjleader.bmj.com/content/9/4/349

https://fionadayconsulting.co.uk/services/bmj-leader-coaching-evidence-doctors-medical-public-health-leaders/





The SOM podcast is sponsored by Orchid Live - specialist occupational health software used by a number of SOM members to run every aspect of their occupational health operations. They hold healthcare records for over 1 million UK workers and work with both in-house OH teams and OH providers. You can find out more at OrchidLive.com.