The Art Of Coaching

Comparison is the thief of joy, and FOMO is the enemy of you really valuing your own time, your own experience and your own perspective. It can be so easy to get caught up in what we think we SHOULD be feeling during the holiday season - especially with the way it is promoted in all the cheesy movies, TV shows and social media. So if you’re someone who struggles with this, or you know someone who does, its important to know you aren’t alone.   In fact, you fall into the majority. Because there are so many people out there dealing with this, today’s episode is meant to address a number of factors we can control to improve our mood and adjust our perspectives and expectations of “the most wonderful time of the year.” Here are just a few of the remedies you can implement: Motion is Lotion - how physical movement positively impacts your mood (18:10)  Specific and simple strategies to change your environment (24:00) Why both pro-social behavior AND isolating yourself can be necessary (28:25) How to leverage your m

How does one keep up with research, learning and reading while balancing a job, family and other life constraints? Better yet, how do we learn more effectively and efficiently when there's an endless stream of information coming at us at all times? My answer might surprise you. In this episode, I go deep on the tools, strategies and framework I use to stay up to date, read broadly and apply constantly.  But the best part is that no matter your learning style, constraints or limitations, I promise there's something applicable for you: How to filter and prioritize which information to consume and when (11:45) The best way to transfer knowledge into wisdom (13:50) Different methods and techniques to index/ categorize your notes (23:50) Ways to use constraints to keep you on track (34:30) Whether these tips are helpful or not, we would really appreciate your feedback! Please reach out to us at  info@artofcoaching.com to let us know what was most helpful, what you’d like to learn or hear more about, or how we can

“You need to be able to communicate your ideas to other people, because whoever is the most effective [at] doing that wins the game.” (47:00) When it comes to setting yourself apart in any field- whether that be art or finance, education or entrepreneurship- the skills of thinking critically, communicating effectively and learning continuously rise to the top. And yet, these skills are seldom taught in traditional education or schooling.  Chris Do is trying to change that. Chris Do is a self described “loud introvert”, recovering graphic designer, middle child, serial entrepreneur, Emmy award-winning director, educator and founder of The Futur.  He has served as a chairman and advisor to several high level organizations, and has taught Sequential Design for over 15 years. In today’s episode, Chris shares some valuable insights from his experiences, including: Specific tips for creating great content on a budget (19:00) Why you can’t afford to NOT take risks (32:00) How to overcome a career change (37:15) The

You’ve heard it said that experience isn't something you get until just after you needed it. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't share our experiences in hopes they can help others not make the same mistakes we have. In today’s episode, we're going to share some of the most valuable lessons WE learned this year. Lessons learned from leading 23 live events (3 of which were brand new), partnering with 20+ incredible organizations, hosting 46 podcasts, releasing 110 newsletters, writing 500 social media posts, hiring two new full time staff members and countless other impactful moments. Hear from each member of our staff as we recount both the successes and failures encountered along the way including: Operations advice from Liz Bartholomew - Director of Operations (10:00)  Effective prioritization strategies from Ali Kershner - Director of Creative Strategy (20:20) The benefits of exploring new sides to yourself  from Bekah Gold - Chief Everything Officer (38:20)  Advice on job transitions from Nate Hoffmeister

It may go against our natural tendencies, but failing is a crucial and necessary piece of the puzzle. When it comes to the process of coaching development, we must reembrace fear and failure.  We will go nowhere if we prioritize acceptance and validation above growth. Kirsten Ahrendt, a Head Coach and Director of Coach Development at Crossfit Invictus, emphasizes that it is the responsibility of the leader to create an environment that fosters this type of growth - one where people are celebrated when they admit their faults and supported in the reiteration and problem-solving process. Kirsten is a coach and creative. Previously, she was a professional athlete (soccer and rugby), member of the U.S. 7’s Rugby team, graphic designer, business owner, geologist and a Cutco saleswoman.  She thinks critically and creatively about the coaching profession and aims to inspire and educate other coaches to evolve society’s relationship with health, fitness and performance. In today’s episode, Kirsten goes into depth abo

They’re that person who ALWAYS has the answers. They’re full of all the facts and stats, and can’t help but spew them out as if they got punched in the “random facts jejunum” (Jackie Moon reference anyone?) If you know someone like this, or even if this person is YOU, today’s quick hitter episode explains the different reasons why people may act this way, and how we can better manage our conversations with them. Keep in mind that these are very general strategies.  At the end of the day, we want to help you learn HOW to think - not WHAT to think.  So as you utilize these tools, be sure to consider all the details of your context. The more specific the situation, the better strategy you’ll create. Relevant AOC Resources: What Drives You? - Drives Assessment Quiz Drives (AOC Podcast E130) Power Dynamics (AOC Podcast E63) Influence Tactics (AOC Podcast E202) Context (AOC Podcast E95) Our 1-on-1 mentoring and live Apprenticeship workshops both offer you the opportunity to gain experience having hard conversation

It’s a timeless question: What makes a leader great?   Some will say it's empathy and compassion, others believe it's trust and accountability or the ability to inspire.   I'd argue it's none of the above but rather the skill of social agility-  knowing what to be in the moment, in accordance with the context, combined with compassion- that allows a leader to truly stand out.   It's for this very reason that we wanted to talk to Danny Matta. With experience as a physical therapist in the military setting, an entrepreneur, CEO of a cash-based PT practice, author and now educator, it's safe to say today's guest Danny Matta knows a little bit about finding that social agility.     And the leadership advice he shares today comes form years of iteration, and a willingness to learn, adapt and grow.   With that said, as opposed to an interview, today’s episode is more conversational -  like you’re eavesdropping on two people catching up over coffee.  We cover a couple questions asked from our 30-day Challenge member

From the outside looking in, there doesn’t seem to be a lot in common between negotiating with a criminal to release hostages and coaxing your child to turn in their homework on time.  And yet, in both of these difficult situations there are some common strategies that are overwhelmingly effective; Both require tactical listening, curiosity and patience.  Today’s guest, former hostage negotiator Derek Gaunt, teaches us how to approach high stakes conversations so you can better influence the other person and more effectively (and quickly) resolve conflict when there’s a lot on the line. Specifically, we discuss: Why hostage negotiation is the same as any negotiation How to remain curious in a triggering conversation Ways to practice negotiation without being in one The key to influencing to anyone and everyone How to deal with irrational people and behavior Derek Gaunt is a lecturer, author of Ego, Authority, Failure©, and trainer with 29 years of law enforcement experience, 20 of which as a team member, lead

Sometimes the best way to move forward is to remind ourselves of the past. Why? Because adaptation is a purposeful process. It requires reflection, inspection, and progression. Today’s episode is all about answering the question “What advice would I give my younger self?”  Some points are obvious, but there's also some questions that will challenge your assumptions, and give you the kick in the pants you may need to initiate the adaptation process. How should I be investing in myself to put me in the learning/ growth zone? (download the reflection questions for graphic)  - (10:00) What feedback/criticism should I be listening to and applying? (15:45) How do I know which relationships and experiences are worth my time? (37:10) What skills should I be consistently working to improve? (42:45) Referenced Resources: Take Control Of Your Finances  - Free resource Valued  - Online course to help you take your career into your own hands Live Events - Gain experience training your people skills! What Drives You? - Dr

“How do I deal with a difficult colleague or co-worker, get on the same page as my spouse or partner, or confront someone who’s trying to undermine me at work?” “How do I deal with CONFLICT?!” If you find yourself seeking answers to these questions, this episode is for you. Today’s podcast walks you through several real life examples of conflict using our L.I.S.T.E.N. framework, a tool we created to help you navigate the messy realities of life, leadership, and human interaction.  More specifically, the framework helps you to identify the pertinent details of your situation, and then leverage the opportunities available to you.  These details include: How to identify what drives the person you’re in conflict with (Drives Quiz) How to recognize the power dynamics at play ( AOC Podcast E63: Power Dynamics in Leadership) How to choose the right type of communication style for your context (AOC Podcast E240: The 4 Styles of Communication) How to use the information available to determine what influence tactics ar

Today’s guest, Annie Duke, is an author, speaker, and decision-strategist.  As a former professional poker player, she has won more than $4 million in tournament poker. During her career, Annie won a World Series of Poker bracelet and is the only woman to have won the World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions and the NBC National Poker Heads-Up Championship. She retired from the game in 2012. Prior to becoming a professional poker player, Annie was awarded a National Science Foundation Fellowship to study Cognitive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. In today’s episode, Annie dives deep into decision-making under uncertainty, and gives you the kick in the pants you need to take action and apply it - so, for once, I don’t have to! Specifically, she covers these key concepts and tools that are essential to understanding how to make good decisions: How to evaluate your situation using a “Cause-benefit analysis” (29:50) How to leverage the “endowment effect” to properly place value on things, ideas,

S.Y.S.T.E.M   Save YourSelf Time, Energy, & Money.   I think it’s fair to say that this is something we all want.   In the words of Karl Goodman, great systems “proceed redundancies.”  They get the processes or ideas out of your head and make them something that can be replicated by others.     They allow you to delegate.   This is just one of the handful of “how-to’s” we hit on in today’s episode with Lachlan Wilmot and Karl Goodman.  We also discuss:   How to identify what skills you possess that translate to other professions (23:00) How to recognize and define the levels of opportunity available to you (40:20) How to decide which tasks you can and should delegate (54:30) How to find the right people for your organization (1:05:30)   Lachlan and Karl are the co-owners of Athletes Authority, a set of performance gyms located in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. Lachlan is a highly respected and nationally recognized high-performance Coach, having spent 10 years in Head of Strength & Conditioning rol

“How do I navigate this conversation?” Have you ever found yourself asking this question? When you consider everything that goes into hard conversations - the people involved, the message to be delivered, the timing, the power dynamics at hand, etc., communication can seem complex. But it doesn’t have to be so confusing. Today’s episode will give you tools and strategies to identify, organize, and leverage the factors at play in the delicate dance we call “conversation.” It’s not the full monty, but when you piece it together with a handful of our other resources, knowing the 4 styles of communication will help you view your conversations from a new vantage point. In addition to the 4 styles, we give specific examples of how to piece together several components of conversation, including: Power Dynamics (AOC Podcast E63) Influence Tactics (AOC Podcast E202) Drives (AOC Podcast E130) Context (AOC Podcast E95) Knowing the information is one thing, but practicing and applying it is what actually moves the needl

No one hopes for massive turmoil or an upheaval of life as we know it.    But through chaos comes clarity and changes like these offer us an opportunity to reevaluate who we really are and want to be.    Last year, Dave Hollis's life was turned upside down and in today's episode he welcomes us into the messy realities of his new one - everything from career transitions, protecting his sanity when his life was on blast, navigating relationship issues and facing his own demons.   Dave is a New York Times best-selling author, host of the popular Rise Together podcast, keynote speaker, and life and business coach. Dave’s history includes CEO of a media start-up, President of Sales for the film studio at The Walt Disney Company, talent manager across film, tv, and music, along with work in publicity, research, and technology in the entertainment sector.   More specifically, we discuss these the challenging questions, and several others, that many people have to face in their lives:   What does success look like fo

“I just felt like I had more to offer”   If you’ve ever had that thought about yourself as a professional, you’re not alone.  We’ve all been in that situation - we create something that we care deeply about and we know it would add value to people’s lives - but we aren’t in an environment where it’s supported, we hit some roadblocks that prevent us from following through, and we end up feeling ineffective and unfulfilled.   Second-time guest and previous Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coach, Brianna Battles, is now the CEO & Founder of Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism. She coaches pregnant and postpartum athletes and has created a signature certification program for coaching professionals and practitioners.   Instead of making excuses and despite her doubt, Brianna adapted to the situation and put her work out into the world anyway - and people bought it.   In today’s episode, Brianna shares the secrets she’s uncovered throughout her journey of transitioning from Collegiate Strength and Condit

Video games - Good? Bad? It Depends? No matter your current opinion of video games, I’m going to ask you to open your mind and consider that there is something of value to be learned from the research-backed way they are created.  In the same way that coaches creatively craft an experience to build buy-in with their athletes, UX (user experience) is an art and a mindset.  It is a mindset that requires you to shift your perspective to that of your users (athletes), because what each individual experiences happens in their own mind. Easier said than done.  As Dr. Celia Hodent explains, “It's not because you're aware of your own biases that you can control them - and that's just not possible because by definition, they are implicit.” So how do we do it?  In addition to explaining the secrets behind shifting our perspectives to that of our audience, she also unveils What one question you should be asking when creating a product or service (29:50) How to debunk the notion that video games are “bad” (34:30) How to

At 14 years old, Kat Salazar walked into her very first classroom at a local community college. She was about to start college when most her age were just beginning high school.  For some this might have been an awkward or overwhelming experience, but having been homeschooled for her entire life, Kat was completely UNDER-WHELMED instead. She thought, “How is this learning? You haven’t asked me to think or do anything but simply regurgitate information.”  Unfortunately, this traditional and common structure, one that was created to spit out factory workers, is the one we have all come to know as formal education. Kat has since spent the last 10 years focusing on identifying the skills that optimize the way people learn and perform, especially on teams. Her unique life experiences have allowed her to see much of the world from a different vantage point and identify a massive problem in the traditional approach to education. This tapped into her passion and inspired her to start weThink, an intelligence software

"I'd love to, but I just can't swing it financially."  If you've ever wanted to take a vacation, fix something in your house, take a certain course or certification, get a virtual assistant, or even start a side business but couldn't because you didn't have the extra time or money... you're not alone.  Today's episode is all about how to leverage what you already know and do well to help you earn more side cash and not stress about the financial side of things so much. We reveal simple ways to make your current experiences, literally, pay off.  For example -  How to use the conversations you already have to your advantage (14:15) Different ways to monetize your current skills and abilities (18:50) Website, apps and other FREE resources that can help you budget, organize, and save How to create an attractive user experience around a product you’ve already created (48:50) AND MORE.  Honestly, it’s too much to put into bullet points- you’ll just have to check it out. If you want to see and experience how we at

Less than 31.5% of the US working population report being “engaged” in their work.   51% report being “not engaged”.   And 17.5% report being “actively disengaged”. (Gallup, 2014)   With numbers like that, it should come as no surprise that many of us feel like we’re dealing with lazy or unmotivated staff members.    But why? Is it a lack of ambition? Of skills and abilities? Of work ethic? Of character? Or is it something else?     Today’s episode will help you identify what’s causing your staffing woes as well as give you a blueprint for re-engaging and motivating them.    Before giving up or moving toward firing, give this a listen:    How to assess what’s causing the lazy behavior (9:45) Figuring out if you’re being too trait focused (17:50) Identifying the best influence tactics to be used in the given context (25:55) When to consider if a restructuring of roles is an option (35:00)   All of these questions, and more, are unpacked on an even deeper level in our weekly newsletter and at our live events. 

In many circles, the National Football League (NFL) has become (just as) well known for its alternate meaning, "Not For Long".  But every once in a while, a player comes along who's able to defy those odds.  In today's episode, Richie Incognito, taken by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the 2005 draft, four time pro-bowler, and 15 year veteran, reveals in his VERY FIRST post-retirement podcast interview what it takes to manage the brutality of a 15+ year stint in the trenches. As he reflects on the lessons learned, and looks ahead to a future of living life on his own terms, Richie credits much of his success to a few things:  The mindset to constantly find ways to increase the standard year to year (9:30) Creating buy-in and leadership in the locker room (16:30) Using money as a motivator and managing it the right way (26:35) Being cognizant of the brand you’re creating and putting out there (29:40) If you want to learn more from Richie and his experience, you can connect with him via Twitter - @68I