Episode 32: Santosh A. Iyer - Coaching as a Leadership Tool

This is episode #32 of Leadership Conversations: The Untold Secrets of the C-Suite by Nick Jonsson, featuring Santosh A. Iyer, Director of Internal Audit, Asia Pacific, Greater China & India at Nokia. In this insightful discussion, Santosh shares his expertise on how adopting coaching as a leadership tool can revolutionize the way leaders inspire, empower, and develop their teams.

Drawing on his extensive leadership experience, Santosh explores how coaching goes beyond performance management — it’s about unlocking human potential. He explains that effective leaders don’t just direct; they guide, listen, and empower. Coaching-based leadership shifts the focus from control and correction to curiosity and collaboration. This mindset creates a psychologically safe environment where employees can thrive, innovate, and continuously grow.

In the episode, Santosh breaks down how coaching helps leaders build stronger, more resilient teams. He highlights the value of fostering a growth mindset, where individuals feel supported in taking risks, learning from mistakes, and stretching beyond comfort zones. Coaching encourages accountability and self-awareness, helping both leaders and team members align personal goals with organizational success.

Santosh also shares practical insights into how leaders can integrate coaching techniques into daily interactions — from asking powerful, open-ended questions to providing reflective feedback that sparks personal discovery. These simple yet transformative practices can elevate performance and create deeper connections between leaders and their teams.

Listeners will also gain actionable strategies to enhance communication, emotional intelligence, and empathy — qualities that define exceptional leadership in today’s evolving workplace. Whether you’re a CEO, a new manager, or an aspiring leader, this episode provides a roadmap to transition from a command-and-control style to a coaching-centered leadership approach that empowers others to lead themselves.

🎧 Tune in to discover how embracing coaching can help you strengthen your influence, nurture talent, and drive meaningful impact — not just within your organization, but also within yourself as a leader.

Contact Santosh A. Iyer to collaborate with him:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casantoshiyer/

Visit our website to find more podcast  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nickjonsson.com/leadership-conversations-the-untold-secrets-of-the-c-suite⁠⁠