The Art Of Coaching

When done well storytelling can access a primal level of human psychology.  With complex characters, varied settings, unique conflicts and resolution, storytelling is “manipulation for good” teaching us lessons, growth and a better way to live. Coaching is in many ways, storytelling.  Today on the show I’m joined by someone who studies storytelling professionally. Michael Tucker (filmmaker and writer), is the creator of the film analysis YouTube channel, Lessons from the Screenplay, host of the podcast Beyond the Screenplay, and creator of a new video series examining storytelling in video games called “Story Mode.”  Michael is incredibly skilled at making complex concepts immediately accessible. When analyzed at a deeper level, he shows us that quality storytelling is nothing more than truth; it helps us understand themes, relate to struggle and move to change.  On today’s show we discuss: The overlap between coaching and screenplay  Lessons from The Dark Knight, Inside Out, Arrival and Collateral  W

Let's not bury the lede - I struggle asking for help. I've often wondered if it's possible to do in a way that doesn't compromise relationships or  reputation because (to the untrained eye) asking for help can seem to convey weakness, lack of fortitude, intelligence, and even organization. But none of us get through life without help in some form... So why do we have such an aversion to it? Today (in part IV of this series!) I’m diving into the 6 reasons why we struggle to ask for help, how to ask for it more effectively and why it's so hard to give good help! Speaking of help, we’d like to offer some. We’re hosting an FREE online workshop for individuals who want to get unstuck, figure out their competitive advantage and get off the  fence so they can make an impact. Click the link below to save your spot!  https://artofcoaching.com/clarity/ As always, you can find out more about this topic and other resources we offer at:  https://artofcoaching.com/resources/ Join Our Coalition Mentoring Program her

Should we niche down or embrace range? If you read the newsletter this week, you know exactly where I stand on this topic. If you haven’t yet, click here to get the full story! Either way, it’s time to dive deeper into this debate.   Now - before you armor up with your facts and figures about why you’re Team Specialist or Team Generalist... hear me out.  “Niching down” mustn't apply to every aspect of your life.  You can be well-rounded, cultured, and dare I say “balanced” while still knowing exactly what you do, why you do it, and speaking directly to those who need it most.  Look, when it comes to providing value, speaking to everyone is speaking to no one. In part III of this series, I'm going to discuss the 4 steps to identifying your “niche” so that you can deliver value and stand out without selling out. I’ll also be going much deeper on this topic in a FREE interactive workshop soon. Click here to save your spot!  If you’re looking for a toolkit to help you tactically create change, do more of

"I want to put something out there to help more people but I lack the confidence, knowledge or experience to do so." Sound familiar? I've heard these words reverberate in my own head and from the people in our community for a long time. But that statement above - it's not true. In fact, it's a lie. And it's one of many our mind makes up to trick us and hold us back from providing value to those who need us most. In part II of this series (make sure to go back and listen to the last episode, part I, if you haven't already), I'm going to talk about the 5 lies we tell ourselves when we start putting ourselves and our work out there.  Make no mistake, these fallacies are blind spots. But it's one thing to recognize them, it's another to tackle them. Let's do that together - head to https://artofcoaching.com/blindspot/ so we can get started. Join Our Coalition Mentoring Program here Follow me on social media: Via Instagram: @coach_BrettB Via Twitter: @coach_BrettB Subscribe to my YouTube channel here Learn More Ab

Every year we hear people utter the phrase “New Year, New You” before launching into a series of nuanced forms of goal setting. While optimism is great, looking ahead without knowing how to identify blind spots that lurk around the corner sets us up to be ambushed. But what is a blind spot? How can you identify one? Most importantly, how does both too much optimism and too much cynicism potentially lead us down a path of self-sabotage? What if I told you there’s a more realistic tool we can use in order to enhance how we interact in groups, and with our goals? Today, we’re talking about this and more. Also - if you haven’t been to https://artofcoaching.com/blindspot/ yet, do so now! Believe me, we’ll be uncovering more about this exciting project soon, and you won’t want to miss out! Join Our Coalition Mentoring Program here Follow me on social media: Via Instagram: @coach_BrettB Via Twitter: @coach_BrettB Subscribe to my YouTube channel here Learn More About My Courses, Clinics, and Live Events

Welcome to the final episode of 2020. We saved the best for last.  Burnt out from online webinars, Zoom meetings, and long-winded technical presentations? We are too. That’s why we cut the fluff and created something brand new. Introducing the inaugural (and virtual)...  Art of Coaching Communication and Leadership Strategy Summit! On March 20, 2021, hear top leaders from a range of professions share tactics and strategies for navigating communication challenges in our new normal. After all, the future belongs to those who learn diverse skills and combine them in creative ways.   Speaking of leaders at the top of their field... today we are joined by none other than pro beach volleyball legend, NY Times bestselling author, mother, model, coach, entrepreneur (Creator of HIGHX® / Co-Founder of XPT®) and Nike’s first ever female spokesperson, Gabby Reece.  Having navigated the highest levels of sport, business, modeling and motherhood, Gabby is uniquely qualified to offer us real and actionable tools of th

On March 21, 2021, we are hosting the inaugural (and virtual)...  Art of Coaching Communication and Leadership Strategy Summit! Hear leaders from a range of professions share essential tactics and strategies for navigating communication challenges in our new normal. After all, the future belongs to those who learn diverse skills and combine them in creative ways.   Sign up here! Now for today’s episode: “Those who burn the brightest amongst us are the most susceptible to having their flame put out...”  When I was 28, I woke up one morning and didn’t want to go to work. Confused and frustrated, I couldn’t figure out why. I still loved coaching but the days, routine and process had become tedious. As it turns out, I was dealing with burnout. Misunderstood and misinterpreted, the term “burnout” might be thrown around casually or referred to as “pop psychology”, but there are 50+ years of research detailing this psychological syndrome and how it afflicts the most dedicated among us. Whether or not you’ve

Today, we’re talking about what’s become a polarizing and almost dirty word: Politics.  But I’m not interested in debating election results or partisan policies. I want to discuss another kind of politics, one that gets less press…  micropolitics.  Micropolitics (also known as office politics) are the tactics we use every day to influence and manipulate a context to suit our needs. It might sound nefarious, but it’s completely human and often necessary to use these strategies when attempting to create change.  In this episode, I’ll break down the nuance between good and bad office politics and then offer an approach for identifying, navigating, and using them to your advantage. After all, it's not the tool, it's how you wield it.  If you’re interested in working on your ability to influence the people you lead, or if you’re struggling to navigate the politics of your work environment, we’d love to help. We now offer 1 on 1 communication training. Head to artofcoaching.com/mentoring to learn more. Check

There’s a lot of talk about best practices when it comes to coaching children. But what about adults? What does the literature say? How do we optimize coaching for a more mature population? Today, we are joined by Tiffany Peltier, a retired 22-year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and current coach and adult educator. In addition to tactics and strategies to optimize adult learning, we discuss: Experience, Emotion and Exposure (& other challenges of coaching adults) How to talk to / coach “thinkers” vs. “feelers” Using the Experiential Learning Cycle Navigating jargon and power dynamics in the military   Tiffany is also a Masters Pan-American and National Olympic Lifting record holder in both lifts and total. She’s been a personal trainer for over 18 years, and a fitness coach/adult educator for over 10 years. Having earned a plethora of certifications related to fitness, nutrition, and neurological studies, she is currently acting as a Neuro Performance specialist with Z-Health. Her Master’s resear

People ask me all the time… Can the art of coaching be taught?  The short answer is: yes, everyone can improve their ability to relate to others.  Unfortunately, like most things, it’s not that simple.  In today’s quick hitter we’ll describe who can and can’t be taught the art of coaching (hint: it’s not everyone), and how to guide someone through the process of learning how to better relate, communicate and build buy-in. We cover:  The one question you must ask yourself before teaching the art of coaching How to get a baseline on the people you lead Tips for understanding their context and environment Finding and closing the "perceptual gap" If this was helpful but you want more, we have a whole library of FREE resources to help you teach the art of coaching!  Be sure to check out:  The Communication Field Guide The Ultimate Intern Guide  "Creating The Optimal Coaching Environment" Join Our Coalition Mentoring Program here Follow me on social media: Via Instagram: @coach_BrettB Via Twitter

On this show we don’t shy away from sensitive topics. We aim to bring you real, honest and important conversations. Today’s episode is exactly that. Nate Hoffmeister is a father, husband, coach, and entrepreneur. But he’s also a divorced dad of two. And while this is a narrative shared by many, there are few who have been willing to publicly talk about their experience. Even if his story of divorce doesn’t speak to you directly, his vulnerability, candor and lessons learned will definitely reframe how you approach ALL relationships.  Join our conversation as we discuss: The stigma men face when asking for help  What happens when you fail to practice what you preach… Reframing divorce and the positives of heartbreak  Counseling - is it for me? Talking to kids about divorce  Nate isn’t just a great storyteller and human being, he’s also the creator of an incredible community that supports and educates men who are navigating broken situations including the prison system and divorce. Click here to learn

What would you say or do if you only had 3 seconds to grab someone’s attention? In other words, what’s your Hook Point? These days, attention is a form of currency.  And with the number of stimuli fighting for this attention, one needs to find a way to stand out from the crowd. Without it, it won't matter if you provide something of value - no one will hear you. Luckily, today’s guest can teach us how to do this in an authentic, non-”salesy” way. Brendan Kane is an outside of the box thinker, speaker and author who empowers brands to scale by helping them stand out and beat competition in crowded and oversaturated markets. He is the author of the international best-selling book One Million Followers and the newly released Hook Point: How To Stand Out In A 3 Second World, as well as the founder and CEO of the Hook Point agency. Brendan has worked with hundreds of individuals and brands providing business and digital strategy for more than 15 years, including MTV, Taylor Swift, Rhianna and many others. Today

If you’re reading this, it’s not too late… (well, unless it’s after November 27th, 2020). THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE for 50% OFF ALL DIGITAL COURSES. Use code 'GRATEFUL50' at https://artofcoaching.com/courses/. I think we can all agree that children need to move, play and explore. But that’s just the start. They also need to develop physical literacy: the ability to perform basic movement skills and the motivation to prioritize an active lifestyle. These qualities aren’t just "nice to have"... they are absolutely essential for physical, cognitive and social development. And if that wasn’t enough, research has shown that physical literacy is associated with the ability to thrive and participate productively in society! Unfortunately, opportunities to develop these qualities are dwindling. And that’s exactly why I wanted to invite today’s guest on the show… Kara Shull (DPT, CSCS) and her non-profit, MOVEMENT2BE, are taking their expertise to underserved communities and providing “movement experiences”.

We know you came for Gunnar, but while you’re here… Now through November 27th, we are offering 50% OFF ALL DIGITAL COURSES. Use code 'GRATEFUL50' at https://artofcoaching.com/courses/. Already taken both? There’s a season of gift giving around the corner and we hear they do well under the tree… Okay, on to the show. Gunnar Peterson might work in LA but he’s in no way “Hollywood”. On the contrary, we brought him on to help us dismantle some leadership BS. Do leaders wield influence? Yes. Are they held to a higher standard? Yeah. Are they accountable to people other than themselves? Absolutely. And it’s for these reasons that we’re talking to Gunnar about the need to set expectations and boundaries around time, create routines and habits to juggle life and work, and be authentic in a world that wants to pin you with a label. We also discuss: Why he’s okay being called a “personal trainer” (when many in coaching aren’t) The difference between living in Hollywood and “acting Hollywood” How to grade

Hey guys, just a quick reminder… Now through November 27th, we are offering 50% OFF ALL DIGITAL COURSES. Use code 'GRATEFUL50' at https://artofcoaching.com/courses/ Speaking of being grateful… In 2009 a reckless driver lost control of his vehicle. The aftermath was a scene of twisted metal, blurred memories and a life forever altered. Kendell Bachik was paralyzed. Rather than sink into darkness and accept the limitations echoed by many, Kendell focused on healing and proving naysayers wrong. Electing to look at therapies that were "outside the box”, Kendell trusted her recovery with strength coaches. Fast forward 2.5 years, she opened REACT, a neurological performance training facility. Her goal was to give others hope through her story, at a place where you felt "it" the moment you entered. She and her husband now lead a collective of coaches and therapists where people fighting neurological injury and disease come to defy the odds. Kendell and I cover: What it’s like to be a mom, wife and business owne

As a thank you for listening, we are offering 50% OFF ALL DIGITAL COURSES THROUGH NOVEMBER 27TH, 2020. Use code 'GRATEFUL50' at https://artofcoaching.com/courses/ “Servant based leadership is easy to say but hard to define.” Often overused and oversimplified, the term “servant based” has become synonymous with what you see on motivational posters, hear in inspirational soundbites and even the word leadership itself. In reality, it’s just one of many styles. And because leadership is not one-size fits all, we’re talking to Greg Adamson about the importance of understanding the labels we use, seeking to understand the needs of the people we lead and finding strategies that best fit each context. Greg is the Associate Director of Olympic Sports Performance at the University of Tennessee, where he works with swimming and diving, women's soccer and men's golf. During his tenure he has also worked with the football and rowing programs. Prior to UT, Greg spent time at Winthrop University with women's basketball,

We’ve all experienced the individual that’s a little overzealous or involved when it comes to their child’s sport. Whether you’re a coach or fellow parent, how do you deal with this person? Is it possible to have productive conversations and change their behavior? Is it even worth our time? The answer to these questions is (in most cases) a resounding yes. It just requires some extra research, tact and self (yes, self) awareness.  In this episode, I’ll give you practical tips for: Recognizing the fundamental attribution error when addressing parents Asking better questions to understand their behavior When, where and how to have the hard conversation Achieving a productive result by making them part of the process Effectively dealing with pushy sport parents comes back to the principles of Research, Relate and Reframe - the same ones I write about in my book, Conscious Coaching. If you haven’t picked up your copy you can do so by clicking here!  For more on having hard conversations, generating bette

Do you use social media or does it use you? Whether you’re a small business owner like myself or an individual trying to develop their brand, social media can be a powerful tool. But if you have an interest in reaching more people and doing so authentically, having a strategy is essential. Today, we are talking to The Movement Maestro (Shanté Cofield) about building a loyal following, choosing your platform, why you DON’T want to go viral and the importance of humor. If you’ve ever felt fake, overwhelmed or generally wary when interacting on social media, you’re not going to want to miss this episode. Physical therapist turned entrepreneur, Dr. Shanté Cofield, aka The Movement Maestro, is the founder of The Movement Maestro LLC, a social-media based company that provides both online and in-person education for movement professionals around the world. Shanté’s passion for digital business has helped her amass a social media following of over 57,000 people, become an international speaker, and launch her ow

As with most things in life, context matters. And whether we intend to or not, our behavior changes depending on our current environment. Yes, being ourselves is important, but it’s not realistic (nor effective) to behave the same way in every situation. Instead, mastering the ability to adapt is key to executing our roles successfully. Stephen Pak has spent his life mastering the art of adaptability. Now a retired Major in the Air Force Reserves, Stephen spent 12 years active duty working as SWAT team leader and later a Special Agent in the Office of Special Investigations where he specialized in Counterintelligence Operations to disrupt spy and terrorist efforts domestically and abroad. After leaving active duty he spent time working on strategy consulting for intelligence agencies and Fortune 500 companies. He spent just under five years leading different businesses at Amazon and currently leads teams at Facebook making products safer for the community. Stephen and I cover: Context switching and how

There’s no doubt that we are in an unprecedented age of virtual meetings, webinars, and presentations. The goal of this episode is to give the DNA of what makes a great experience and offer a wake-up call for anyone who has not been taking advantage of these experiences; whether you are leading or attending! If you find yourself constantly disappointed and not getting what you want from meetings, calls, or presentations there’s a reason for that: It’s YOU! We have lost a sense of accountability in being responsible for our own experience and the results (or lack thereof) that follow. In this quick-hitter I cover tips and strategies on how to organize calls, foster trust & vulnerability between those involved, assess the call’s effectiveness, and maximize everyone’s time. Every single one of us has the opportunity to contribute something at the level that we want. But it will not happen if you are passive and your mindset isn’t in the right place. At Art of Coaching, we aren’t exempt from this! We appl