In this episode of Lead Like a Coach, Alison May speaks with David Eaton about coaching, leadership, emotional resilience, and what changes when coaching becomes part of how you lead.
Drawing on his experience leading children and young people’s mental health services within the NHS, David shares thoughtful insights into:
- how coaching changes leadership
- supporting teams under pressure
- “holding space” in conversations
- balancing directive leadership with reflective coaching
- reducing dependency within teams
- creating a more collaborative workplace culture
This conversation explores the reality of leadership in emotionally demanding environments and why coaching skills can fundamentally change the way leaders communicate, support others, and make decisions.
Watch it Here
Coaching Leadership Key Takeaways
The power of the pause
One of David’s biggest reflections is the importance of pausing before reacting. In high-pressure leadership environments, slowing things down can create space for better thinking, reflection, and decision-making.
Coaching is not always about having the answer
David discusses how coaching shifted his leadership style away from immediately solving problems and toward creating space for others to think more deeply and find their own solutions.
Coaching leadership changes workplace culture
Rather than creating dependency on leaders for answers, coaching conversations can create more shared responsibility, collaboration, and accountability within teams.
Holding space matters
A major theme throughout the conversation is “holding space” – listening fully, staying present, and resisting the urge to rush into fixing or advising.
Leadership in emotionally demanding environments
Working within children and young people’s mental health services means supporting teams through emotionally intense and high-stakes situations. David shares how coaching approaches help leaders navigate complexity while supporting staff wellbeing.
About David Eaton
David Eaton is a leader within children and young people’s mental health services in the NHS, as well as an experienced executive coach and coaching supervisor.
His work focuses on supporting leaders and professionals navigating complexity, transition, pressure, and emotionally demanding environments.
David is particularly passionate about reflective leadership, coaching culture, and helping people think more deeply and collaboratively through challenge and uncertainty.
About Lead Like a Coach
Lead Like a Coach is a podcast from One Life Coaching exploring what changes when coaching becomes part of how you lead.
Hosted by Alison May and Neil McLatchie, the podcast features conversations with leaders, coaches, healthcare professionals, academics, and experts exploring leadership, emotional intelligence, communication, neurodiversity, coaching culture, and professional development.
Interested in Developing Your Own Coaching Skills?
At One Life Coaching, we deliver the Level 5 Professional Certificate in Coaching accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
Designed for leaders, managers, professionals, and aspiring coaches, the programme develops practical coaching skills that can transform conversations, leadership, and workplace culture.
