About Michael
I’m Michael Mckay, an executive coach and global business leader. I work with leaders taking on greater responsibility, navigating change or deciding what comes next.
I’m a senior leader at OpenAI. My career also includes leadership roles at Google and McDonald’s, spanning commercial strategy, strategic partnerships and organisational transformation.
Working across the UK, Germany and the US has shaped how I lead and coach. I understand the demands of complex organisations, the pace of change and the importance of bringing people with you.
Through Mckay Mindset, I combine that experience with training from the Center for Executive Coaching. My approach is thoughtful, direct and practical: careful listening, constructive challenge and support to turn insight into action.
I’ve also mentored founders and emerging leaders, with a particular focus on Black and women-led businesses, climate-focused enterprises and people from under-represented backgrounds.
Whatever your experience or ambition, our work starts with your situation and what matters to you.
How our work develops
Coaching is a conversation that develops around your goals and circumstances. We make time to understand your situation, explore your choices and learn from what happens when you act.
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We explore the challenge, the people and expectations involved, and what matters to you. This helps us identify the question that needs your attention.
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We clarify what you want to change and what meaningful progress would look like. That gives our work direction without fixing every step in advance.
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Through reflection and constructive challenge, we examine assumptions and consider your options. You choose practical steps to put into action.
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We return to what you have tried, what you have learned and what needs to change. Reflection continues throughout our work.
Leadership in practice
Helping people shape change
In this conversation with Ann Fleishell, I explore how our procurement team uses ChatGPT Work to improve everyday workflows, and how the people closest to a problem can help shape the solution.