Coaching Craft Podcast

In this episode Jeff and James look at the whole area of coaching to create resilience, where clients present with unmanageable workloads and potential burnout. They begin by challenging the initial contract for the work, where the danger is that it can be a form of 'victim blaming' - is it the system that's the issue? From an examination of that and the care that needs to be taken in contracting...

Coaches can fall into the trap of thinking they need to be 'doing' something to add value. Concerned to be helpful and earn their money. But what about doing nothing, slowly? Here James and Jeff consider the use of silence in the rhythm of the coaching conversation.

Ever been asked by your client to "be more challenging"? How do you respond to that? What does effective challenge look like and what are the issues at play. Jeff and James explore contracting for challenge and the different forms it can take, without necessarily meaning confrontation.

How do you handle the client who simply disappewars - doesn't attend a booked session, doesn't respond to e-mails asnd seems to be ghosting you. Jeff and James take a look at this vexing issue and what you can do about it.

Ending client relationships in a way that works for both you and your client can be more difficult than it sounds. By examining our relationship with endings James and Jeff take a look at planning to end a coach / mentoring assignment well, so that all parties are 'complete'. Beginning with the end in mind, it starts earlier than you might think!

The first episode of the Coaching Craft podcast. As promised earlier in the year, we are pleased to add Podcasts to the CPD offer for CoachingCraft members. Initially Jeff Matthews and James Butcher will be hosting a series of topics, which will be made available each Tuesday, with a break over the summer. They are designed to be about 20 to 30 mins and can be downloaded so you can listen to them...

The second episode of the Coaching Craft podcast: In this podcast James and Jeff take a look at the vexed question of how much we should charge for our services? What are you worth? It is a follow on from Jan '25 CPD session in which Jeff explored using the thinking behind marketing strategy and applying it to our coaching business. We look at the practicalities of charging, billing, VAT and then...

Episode 3: In this 1st part of a three part podcast entitled 'Agile Coaching - Coach, Mentor - or does it matter?', Jeff Matthews and James Butcher explore their concept of 'Agile Coaching' as way of thinking about your choice of interventions as a coach. When is it OK to offer advice - if ever? What is the difference between coaching and mentoring and the role of the coach in being 'useful'.

Episode 4: You will find here the 2nd part of a 3 part series on Agile Coaching. Here Jeff and James build on the model, discussing the interest and disinterest the coach might have in the outcome - an area rarely explored in the literature with it's implication on power and whether the interest is healthy (ie constructive) or unhealthy (and more about the needs of the coach.

Episode 5: You will find here the 3rd part of a 3 part series on Agile Coaching. Here Jeff and James develop further the idea of healthy and unhealthy interest in the outcome. When does our ego, unwittingly often, get in the way of the client and subvert the conversation.

Episode 6: In this 20 minute podcast, Jeff and James discuss how to use psychometrics in coaching. There can be big plusses in having data available about your client, but how do you use it effectively, respectfully. There are some significant draw backs to many of the tools in use - how to spot them and navigate them. We also look at 360 degree feedback and present a model of best practice.

Episode 7: Find here podcast number 7 where James and Jeff discuss the approaches to use when working with what are called "The Mandated Client", that is clients who are obliged to attend coaching when it wasn't their idea. This can happen when they are part of a leadership programme or when they are "sent" by the organisation of the manager to be 'fixed' in some way. These can be tricky contracts...

Episode 8: In this latest podcast, James and Jeff reflect on the coaching relationship; it's primacy in effective one to one work and how it differs from other forms of human relationships. The Greek ideal of friendship and their 4 words for 'love' and how that loaded term is not talked about in the literature. Taking a prompt from Tina Turner, what has love got to do with it? You will find it in...

Episode 9: In this podcast Jeff and James explore the use of AI in coaching. It's a fast changing area and raises issues around contracting, ethical practice as well as the practical of issues of which tools and for what. In this extended podcast of 40 mins, Jeff shares the latest insights and research he has gleaned in understanding this disruptive technology. It's a must listen, and likely to be...

Episode 10: To what extent should coaches and the profession of coaching concern itself with the realm of politics? In this episode Jeff talks with James who is both a coach and a (local) politician about the connection between the two. A fascinating conversation in which (spoiler alert) the conclusion is more than you might think...