I've seen firsthand how coaching can change everything in healthcare leadership, and today I want to share why it's been such a game-changer for me.

In this episode of Healthcare Leadership Insights, I open up about my own coaching journey - how it helped me navigate tough times, spot unhelpful patterns, and align my decisions with my true values. We explore what coaching really is (and how it's different from mentoring), why it's backed by solid evidence for building resilience and better teams, and why every healthcare leader should make space for it.

What You'll Discover

- Coaching vs Mentoring: Why coaching focuses on unlocking your own answers, while mentoring shares expertise and how both matter in healthcare.

- My Personal Transformation: The ways coaching gave me clarity during my consultant career, turning external pressures into value-driven choices.

- Evidence for Real Impact: How coaching builds relational skills, boosts well-being, and creates high-performing teams - just like in elite sports.

If you're a healthcare leader feeling the weight, coaching isn't a luxury - it's the tool that helps us serve sustainably. I'd love to hear if you've tried it; drop me a note.

Episode Resources

NHS Elect Coaching Services

Dr Stephen Swensen speaking at The King's Fund

Journal of Management Development: Leadership by Design: Intentional Organization Development of Physician Leaders

BMJ Leader: What is the evidence base for leadership coaching for postgraduate medical doctors?

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LinkedIn (Dr. Mo Akindolie)

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Healthcare Leadership Conversations is produced by Urban Podcasts.

I’m starting 2026 with something close to my heart: mentorship in healthcare.

In this Leadership Insights episode, I reflect on over 20 years of mentoring and how it’s taught me that true mentorship is reciprocal. It’s not just me giving my time and experience - it’s a two-way exchange where I’ve learned just as much (often more) from my mentees, especially those from global majority backgrounds navigating systems I didn’t face.

Key Insights

- Mentorship Is Reciprocal: I’ve learned to navigate medical school as a student from a global majority heritage in ways my own experience couldn’t quite capture - the gift flows both ways.

- Seek a Mentoring Relationship: If you’re not in one, make it happen – it’s essential for personal growth and building equitable, innovative teams.

- Organisations Must Support It: Protected time, clear structures, training, and a culture that values these relationships are non-negotiable for mentorship to thrive.

Mentorship isn’t a nice-to-have – it’s how we transform healthcare culture itself. I challenge you to think about one mentoring conversation you could start this week. The gift of reciprocal mentorship is available to all of us – let’s use it.

Episode Resources

Akindolie Medical Scholarship

Mentorship Unlocked by Janice Omadeke

NHS Leadership Academy – Inclusive Reciprocal Mentoring Programme

RCPCH Reciprocal Mentoring Programme

Connect with Healthcare Leadership Conversations

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LinkedIn (Dr. Mo Akindolie)

Website

Healthcare Leadership Conversations is produced by Urban Podcasts.

I’ve always believed the best leadership lessons can come from unexpected places, and Will Guidara’s Unreasonable Hospitality – about turning a restaurant into the world’s best – proves it for healthcare too.

In this special Book Club episode of Healthcare Leadership Conversations, I share my takeaways from the book that’s reshaped how I think about service in the NHS. Will Guidara, former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park, shows how “unreasonable” acts of hospitality – going above and beyond in ways that surprise and delight – can transform any team or organisation.

I break down why hospital and hospitality share roots, and how small, deliberate gestures can rebuild trust, boost morale, and make healthcare feel truly human again.

What You’ll Discover

- Hospitality’s Healthcare Roots: Why “hospital” and “hospitality” come from the same word and how reclaiming that could fix our broken patient experiences.

- Unreasonable Acts That Work: Real examples like a New York hot dog cart for fine diners and how I’ve used similar surprises to lift NHS teams.

- Leading with Humanity: The simple challenge: one act of “unreasonable hospitality” this week could change your ward, clinic, or entire service.

Will’s story reminds me the NHS isn’t saved by tech or policy alone – it’s leaders choosing humanity that make the difference.

Giveaway Details:

Win a copy of Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara

To celebrate the latest episode of Healthcare Leadership Conversations, we’re giving away 5 copies of Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara.

How to enter:

- Follow us on Instagram

- Like, share and comment on the Podcast Episode Instagram post

- Follow us on Apple Podcasts

- Join our Linkedin Group - Healthcare Leadership Conversations

Closing date:

- Entries close at Midnight GMT on Friday 23rd January 2026

Winner selection:

- Five winners will be selected at random from all eligible entries and contacted via Instagram within 7 days of the closing date.

Eligibility:

- Open to UK residents aged 18 or over

- No purchase necessary

- One entry per person

Prize:

- One copy of Unreasonable Hospitality per winner

- No cash alternative

- The prize is non-transferable

Other important information:

This giveaway is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher, author, Instagram or LinkedIn

By entering, you agree to your name being announced if you win

Personal data will be used solely for the purpose of administering this giveaway and will not be shared or retained afterward Grab one, read it, and let’s chat about what you think.

Healthcare Leadership Conversations is produced by Urban Podcasts.