Based in Brisbane, Coaching Leadership works with individual leaders and leadership teams, bringing coaching psychology research to conversations about how people lead. Its services span executive and leadership coaching, leadership development, team coaching and leadership feedback assessments, with an emphasis on deeper insight into leadership.

The practice describes its approach as “Redefining Leadership From The Inside Out”. Rather than presenting leadership development as a standard programme for everyone, its website describes coaching designed around the changes an individual needs to make. Curiosity and self-reflection sit at the centre of that approach, alongside a kinder and more adaptive way of leading.

A Background Across Management and Mental Health

Director Simon Popley launched the practice after a career in senior management and consulting. His published biography describes experience across financial services, government, healthcare, mining and occupational rehabilitation, combined with a clinical background in mental health. The practice says that combination informs coaching delivered with sensitivity and pragmatism.

Popley's listed qualifications include a Master of Science in Coaching Psychology and a Master of Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations, both from the University of Sydney. The practice connects that academic grounding with the practical work of supporting leaders as they examine their assumptions, consider feedback and explore different ways of responding within their organisations.

Portrait of Coaching Leadership director Simon Popley seated at a desk.
Coaching Leadership director Simon Popley. Image: Coaching Leadership.

Coaching for Individuals and Teams

The website defines coaching as a confidential dialogue between a qualified coach and a client, using questioning and specific goal setting. It describes a relationship in which the coach can act as a sounding board for issues or proposed actions, while challenging the client to consider new ways of thinking in professional and private life.

For organisations, the practice describes leadership development solutions co-created around the issues they face. Its team coaching service focuses on building internal capability by drawing on talent within the team. Leadership feedback assessments allow a leader to receive anonymous feedback from people they work with, with the feedback then used as part of a coaching engagement.

The process outlined on the website begins with feedback and discovery, followed by exploration of assumptions and new perspectives. Clients then experiment with different ways of leading, notice responses and adapt changes to their environment. The later stages focus on integrating those approaches and sharing learning through the team and organisation.

Simon Popley, right, discussing work at a desk during a meeting.
A meeting at the desk with Simon Popley, right. Image: Coaching Leadership.

Flexible conversations about leadership

Sessions can take place at a client's premises, at the practice's offices or online. The website says confidentiality is addressed in its agreement and identifies client wellbeing and leadership development as central priorities. That gives the practice a consistent focus across its work with individual leaders and leadership teams, regardless of where the conversation takes place.

For readers exploring its approach, the practice's leadership articles discuss adopting a coaching approach, kindness in leadership and goal setting. Together with its service descriptions, these offer an introduction to the questions Coaching Leadership brings to its work: how leaders understand themselves, engage with feedback and develop new ways of leading.