Zoe McAlpine Coaching & Consulting

28/07/2026

This article popped up in my LinkedIn feed last night and took my breath away … (it also made my day ☺️❤️)

In Executive Coaching, we do the work in the moment, but it’s about what happens for the leader or business owner after, so we don’t often get to see it come to life.

It’s been inspiring to work with Shelley and her team over the past few years as she has grown her leadership practice to respond to the context, demands and complexities of an incredibly challenging industry. Her openness, courage and commitment to learning are extraordinary, and have shaped the CEO that she is today.

Thank you, Shelley, for your trust, your kind words, and for sharing your story so generously - working with you and the team at Marjorie Mann Lawley Day Care Centre has been the greatest privilege.

After nearly two decades in leadership, Shelley Carlin was close to burnout and questioning her future in the sector. Through executive coaching, she gained the confidence and skills to lead more effectively and foster shared leadership across her team. In this article, Shelley shares what she learn...

09/06/2026

Why do we feel like we have to hold all the cards?

When we’re leaders, founders, or business owners, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that we need to know, do and carry everything.

And yet, we hear phrases like ‘hire people smarter than you,’ ‘seek help’ and ‘no one has to do it alone’ for a reason.

But when we are ‘in it’, it’s easy to forget this advice. We default back to holding tighter, stepping in more, and carrying more than we need to.

What I’ve learned through my work, and my experience as both a CEO and business owner, is that sustainable and enjoyable leadership isn’t about holding all the cards.

It’s about knowing who you can trust to hold some with you, and that means building a strong support network around you - both informal and formal.

No one builds a successful business, leads a high-performing team, or navigates significant change alone.

This is one of the reasons I love my work as a business strategist and executive coach.

I get to be part of that support network.

I help leaders step out of the noise, make sense of complexity, challenge assumptions, and focus on what matters most. Not by holding the cards for them, but by helping them see the game more clearly. Together we set the end goal or strategy and translate it into practical, achievable actions.

Because when we stop trying to hold all the cards alone, the business results follow.

If you’d like to chat about what you are holding and where coaching could help, I’d love to hear from you ☺️

10/03/2026

It was only today that I realised that earlier this year marked three years in business for myself.

When I started out, I had a clear belief about the work I wanted to do with leaders and organisations: strategy is only valuable when it actually becomes reality.

In the years since, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside executive teams, founders, and leaders who are navigating complex decisions including shaping strategy, building trust within teams, and turning big ambitions into practical action.

What I’ve learned (and continue to learn) is this:

Strategy rarely fails because of the plan.

More often, it struggles because of the human dynamics around it - resources, alignment, clarity, trust, and the courage to have the conversations that really matter.

The work I do now sits right at that intersection:

• helping leaders and owners think clearly about where they’re going
• creating space for honest, strategic conversations
• supporting teams to move from intention to aligned ex*****on

Some of the most rewarding moments over the past three years have been watching a team leave a strategy session not just with a document, but with genuine clarity, energy, and shared commitment about what happens next.

That’s where great results start to come alive.

I’m incredibly grateful to the leaders and organisations who have trusted me to work alongside them in that process. Your openness, curiosity and willingness to engage in the real work of leadership is what makes it meaningful.

Three years in, I’m more convinced than ever that thoughtful strategy combined with laser focus and strong leadership conversations is what turns plans into progress.

If you’re thinking about how to sharpen your strategy, align your leadership team, or turn plans into real momentum, I'd love to connect.

20/11/2025

What an incredible evening we had last night at the AIM WA Pinnacle Awards, a true celebration of business excellence across Western Australia.

From innovation and customer excellence to social impact and leadership, the calibre of finalists and winners was nothing short of inspiring. The Pinnacles shine a light on the talent, dedication, and values that WA businesses bring to their industries and communities, and it was a privilege to be in the room.

This is the second time Matt and I have sponsored an award through our business Structured Sales Consulting, and it was a huge privilege to be amongst such prestigious sponsors, each contributing in their own way to advancing excellence in WA.

My favourite thing about The Pinnacles is that it is a genuine platform to help our WA community. Each award winner is able to pick a chosen charity to receive $20,000 of AIM WA Training for their team - building better workplaces across the state and helping a sector that is hugely close to my heart, and that rarely has the resources to invest in training and development. Today, more than 10 WA charities are receiving such an impactful gift to help grow their people.

Congratulations Professor Gary Martin FAIM, Sandra Holloway, Alex Quinn FAIM Andrea Walters FAIM GAICD and the whole amazing AIM WA Team on an amazing achievement, and thank you for creating this platform to honour and elevate great leadership and business performance across our state.

Today I'm feeling proud to be part of such a vibrant and values-driven business community 🌟❤️🌟

06/11/2025

This is not the way I expected to start today ☺️🤷‍♀️

After a fantastic few days in Kalgoorlie for work, yesterday I was gearing up to spend my morning today working with one of my favourite clients on one of my favourite topics - leading people.

But our weather had other ideas, and my flight home last night was cancelled at the very last minute.

Yes, a bit of stress and quite a bit of anxiety crept in momentarily. I’m not in the business of disappointing people, and both my client and my family were occupying my mind … as was the prospect of my wonderful colleague and I spending the night at Kalgoorlie Airport, with not a room in town to be found.

And at the same time, this one was completely out of my control. My client understood with warmth and sympathy (thank you! 🙏) and whilst I was sad not to get home to my family, they were ok and this was temporary. Then, as luck would have it, we found a friend in town who had two very comfy couches and an abundance of blankets.

The lemons were turned into lemonade, and this morning I’m grateful to be on my way home.

We never know what curveball may come our way, and we can only control one thing: our response. Mindset is such a powerful tool, and we can use it to our own advantage both personally and professionally.

So right now I’m going to be grateful for that very powerful reminder … and to get on with rescheduling a few things ☺️

04/11/2025

How do you want to feel walking into 2026?

We all know we should take time to plan, but for all the (valid) reasons we know, we don't always make it happen.

That’s why I am again running my annual planning workshop - to help you set yourself and your business/work/organisation up for your best year yet in 2026.

Building Your Best 2026! is a structured, energising online workshop that makes planning simple, strategic, and grounded.

Here’s what last year’s participants shared:

❤️ “I finally connected my professional goals with what matters personally.”
❤️ “I am clear on where my business is going next year, and I’m already ahead.”
❤️ “Zoe’s approach was reflective, real and focused on action.”

In three hours, you’ll set focused goals across leadership, business and life — and turn them into a roadmap that actually sticks.

Sessions available:
• Tuesday 25 November | 9 am–12 pm AWST
• Thursday 4 December | 6 pm–9 pm AWST

If you'd like to join us, pop a thumbs up in the comments below or send me a message - we'd love to have you there 😊

02/11/2025

This past week I have had the privilege of co-facilitating the AIM WA programme Elevate: Women in Leadership in partnership with Akademi Kepimpinan Pendidikan Tinggi, and I’m still feeling the ripple effects.

A room full of curious, compassionate and genuinely fabulous women, each leading in complex environments, juggling demands, and showing up fully for themselves and others.

It was a privilege to hold space for such powerful conversations. We explored what it means to lead with clarity and courage. We challenged limiting beliefs. We laughed (a lot), cried (a little), and shared stories that connected us across cultures and contexts.

We also had the opportunity to hear stories and experiences from the most amazing senior women leaders, including Karlene Bylund, Valarie Ee, Michelle Reynolds and Maria Perez. Hearing that others have the same feelings and challenges we all experience, and continue to forge forward was a real goosebumps moment.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr Ummu for championing this programme and making it a reality. Her words will stay with me forever:
“When women lead, the whole ecosystem lifts.”

I’m also deeply grateful to have co-facilitated alongside the brilliant Dr Katy Tindall, a wise, generous and fiercely knowledgeable partner who is the epitome lifting others up.

Thank you Maria Perez for the honour of involving me in this incredibly special work, and Claire Drummond for your unflappable nature and amazing operational management of a very complex week! You are two incredible women 👏👏👏

There’s something uniquely transformative about women coming together in leadership, not to compete, but to elevate one another. It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about leading from the inside out. With purpose, empathy, and presence, and to holding each other up at all times.

Here’s to more rooms like this one.

09/10/2025

I’m in a sprint right now.

You know the feeling - energy is high, time is tight, and everything is moving fast.

Sprints can be incredibly energising, overwhelming and productive all at the same time. You feel focused, purposeful, in the zone. The momentum is incredibly motivating.

I often work with leaders and teams navigating these exact moments. And the challenge isn’t just managing the sprint: it’s knowing when to end it.

A sprint, by definition, isn’t sustainable. It’s meant to be a short burst, not a long-distance strategy. When a sprint turns into the norm, burnout isn’t far behind.

If you’re in a sprint, or leading a team through one, here are a few things that might be helpful:

1) Name it. Simply acknowledging “we’re in a sprint” helps set shared expectations.
2) Define the finish line. Be clear on what success looks like and when the sprint ends.
3) Create space after. Recovery is part of the process - not a luxury.
4) Communicate often. Check in on energy, focus, and bandwidth. People’s capacity isn’t fixed.
5) Take microbreaks that fill your cup. For me it's being outdoors and close to water (hence the pic).

I love working with teams to design ways of working that harness the hustle energy and also drive sustainability. Afterall, we deserve to enjoy the success that comes with the sprint too!

Are you in a sprint right now? How are you managing the tension between speed and what's manageable?

06/10/2025

2026 is coming. How are you feeling about it?

When you’re leading people or running a business, it’s easy to roll (read: sprint!) from one year into the next without pausing to reset.

That’s why I’m running my annual planning workshop — to help leaders and business owners get clear on what matters most, both professionally and personally.

Building Your Best 2026! is a 3-hour online workshop designed to help you step out of the day-to-day and think strategically (about yourself, for a change!) — about your career, your leadership, and what you would like to achieve in the next year.

Together we’ll reflect on 2025, reconnect with (or set) your long-term goals and professional direction, and design a practical roadmap for 2026 that aligns results with how you want your day-to-day to look.

Numbers are small so everyone gets space to think deeply and plan with purpose.

📅 Choose your session:

• Tuesday 25 November | 9 am – 12 pm AWST
• Thursday 4 December | 6 pm – 9 pm AWST

And I'm offering a special early-bird price of $295 + GST (regular $395 + GST) for those who register before the 24th of October.

If you’d like to hear more, comment below or message me for details.

Let’s make 2026 your best yet — clear, confident, and on purpose.

22/09/2025

Do your leaders have the skills?

It’s one thing to set clear expectations for the managers in our teams. And we absolutely should.

But expectations without skills? That’s setting them up for failure.

Giving feedback, managing performance and motivating people toward success aren’t things people “should” just know how to do.

They are skills. And they can be learnt.

If we want confident, capable managers who can foster performance, culture, and trust, then we need to invest in their development, and provide the tools and support for them to succeed as leaders.

And when we do?

The ripple effect across teams, culture and business performance is undeniable.

If you'd like to talk about equipping your team with the core skills to be great leaders, I'd love to hear from you 😊