Lead With A Coaching Mindset Podcast

In this episode we unpack Chapter 7 — Listening: How Our Filters Impact What We Hear — and explore why listening is one of the most foundational leadership and coaching skills. We discuss the difference between hearing and truly listening, and why effective leadership requires more than simply paying attention to words. We also dive into the connection between listening, presence, trust, and under...

In this episode we unpack Chapter 6 — The Present Leader — and explore what it really means to lead from the here and now. We dive into how presence goes beyond confidence or authority and becomes a practice of intentional attention: noticing what’s happening around you, within you, and in your conversations. We discuss the two main sources of distraction leaders face today — the external world an...

In this episode we dig into Chapter 5 of Lead With a Coaching Mindset and explore why trust is the bedrock of effective leadership. We define ethical, earned trust and walk through how trust gets broken — and how it’s deliberately rebuilt. You’ll hear practical strategies leaders can use every day: be consistent between words and actions, show up present, honor confidentiality, model vulnerability...

In this episode we dig into Chapter 4—contracting, agreement, and creating conditions for cultural competence. Damian and Elaine define culture (beyond nationality: age, generation, faith, ability, subcultures) and explain why diverse teams outperform homogeneous ones: more creativity, stronger problem-solving, broader market insight, higher engagement, and a healthier employer brand. We unpack pr...

In this episode we unpack Chapter 4 — the coaching agreement — and why clear onboarding and intentional contracting set the foundation for every coaching relationship inside organizations. We walk through practical steps leaders can take: clarify expectations and communication channels, tailor support to each new hire, connect people into culture, set measurable goals, and create ongoing learning...

In this episode Damian and Elaine continue Chapter 3 — Mindset Is Everything: Developing Your Inner Coach. They explore how our inner conversation either supports or sabotages progress, and Damian shares a personal story about discipline, self-trust, and the habits that built his own inner coach. We dig into Pam McLean’s framework—presence, emotional awareness, boundaries, systems, courage, and em...

In this episode we dig into Chapter 3 — Mindset Is Everything: Developing Your Inner Coach. Damian and Elaine define a coaching mindset as a way of being: trusting people, committing to continuous development, creating intentional reflective space, staying alert to culture and context, and bringing your authentic self and intuition to the work. We cover practical tactics leaders can use today — sh...

In this episode we unpack ethical maturity — how leaders make hard choices in the gray areas and then live with, explain, and learn from those choices. We define ethical maturity’s core moves (decision, implementation, explanation, peace, and learning), explore how culture and multicultural teams shape ethics, and show why self-awareness, values clarity, emotion, intuition, and context matter as m...

In this conversation we dig into why ethical leadership is the engine of a coaching mindset. We define ethics vs. morality, and stress integrity — consistency between what leaders say and what they do — as the foundation of trust. We explore practical behaviors: transparency (and how to say “I can’t share that yet”), respect, confidentiality, and the courage to confront mistakes with dignity. We a...

In this conversation we explore why leaders who adopt a coaching mindset attract, develop, and retain top talent. We unpack practical habits—listening well, aligning personal and organizational values, and having short, high-quality coaching moments—that convert everyday interactions into growth opportunities. We discuss how visibility and emotional presence help teams navigate anxiety and uncerta...

In this episode we explore why a coaching mindset drives engagement, trust, and respect across teams. We discuss how leaders who prioritize curiosity, presence, and creating awareness turn everyday conversations into development opportunities. We cover when to flex between directive and coaching styles, how self-awareness shapes leader effectiveness, and practical steps to make conversations inten...

In this episode we explore how leaders navigate overwhelm and uncertainty while sustaining connection, learning, and forward motion. We discuss practical coaching habits — listening with empathy, pacing conversations so people are ready to move from grief to rebuilding, and using foresight to prepare for multiple scenarios. We examine how leaders balance human connection with technology adoption,...

In this episode we explore how a coaching mindset becomes a practical leadership advantage in volatile times. We hear Paulo Pisano reflect on the meta-competencies — curiosity, presence, active listening and openness — that he cultivates across teams at Booking and beyond. Paulo explains how coaching shifts our focus from fixing tasks to shifting the way we observe situations (first- and second-or...

In this episode we explore how leaders create the conditions for high-performing sales teams. We talk with Susan Heiser, VP of Sales at MaryRuth Organics, about the habits that scaled a startup into a top retail brand: radical transparency from the top, empowering people to make decisions, and building a safe “try-and-learn” environment. Susan shares practical routines—brief daily check-ins, visib...

We explore how to create exceptional employee experiences by centering inclusion, strong team design, and data-informed people practices. We walk through practical moves leaders can make — from intentional onboarding and talent conversations to workforce planning and performance management — that help employees see new possibilities and feel supported through non-linear career paths. We also discu...

In this episode we explore ethical leadership—why integrity matters and how values-driven decisions build trust across teams and institutions. Donna-Marie Darlington-Dawes draws on 25+ years at the World Bank Group, IFC and the UN to show how ethical practice underpins coaching, inclusion, and organizational resilience. We discuss concrete actions—modeling behavior, creating safe spaces, speaking...

In this episode we explore foresight —how leaders relate to the future and prepare for many possible outcomes. Ariel explains why predicting one single future is risky and why we must shift from designing around jobs to designing around activities that can be automated, augmented, or remain human-led. We discuss practical mindsets: stay curious, embrace uncertainty, learn to reinvent continuously,...

In this episode we explore coaching presence —how leaders show up, listen, and create space for others. We discuss practical habits that protect attention (phone-free meetings, intentional check-ins, short mindfulness exercises) and tactics for deeper listening: asking curious questions, sitting with silence, and centering the other person’s agenda. We examine trade-offs—time pressure, notificatio...

In this episode we explore how to build effective relationships with new employees. Alexis Ekizian walks us through his playbook: spend the first weeks listening more than talking, invest time in one-on-ones, run a team “who I am / what to expect” session, and set clear expectations up front (roles, targets, cadence). We discuss how that early investment creates psychological safety, speeds onboar...

In this episode we explore how leaders at UNICEF adopt a coaching mindset to develop people and drive impact. We focus on career-centered learning, 360° feedback, and coaching that normalizes mistakes as learning opportunities. Elaine shares vivid examples—leaders who rotate drivers to build inclusion, reps who empower staff to decide, and managers who model humility and growth. We discuss practic...

In this episode, we explore contracting —the foundational step for building effective working relationships. We define contracting as clarifying expectations around communication style, decision-making, conflict, and boundaries (e.g., camera-on norms for remote work). You’ll hear real examples of how failing to contract can erode trust, and why explicitly agreeing on roles, response times, and dis...

In this episode, I explore cultivating trust as the bedrock of a coaching mindset. I define trust as believing in someone’s reliability, honesty, and integrity, then share why it’s essential before any coaching can happen. Referencing the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer, I unpack four strategies—transparency, engagement, ethical conduct, and collaboration—to rebuild dwindling confidence in leadership...

In this episode, I explore the essentials of team coaching within a leadership role. I explain why creating psychological safety —through clear ground rules, respect, and trust—is critical for team effectiveness. You’ll learn how to align vision and goals so participants feel inspired and know their interests matter. I break down strategies to prevent groupthink by encouraging diverse perspectives...

In this episode, I dive into  active listening —what it is, why it’s crucial, and how you can start practicing it today. We distinguish hearing (a physiological act) from listening (engaging both ears and eyes), explore  linear  versus  nonlinear  listening, and highlight context, values, and emotions that often lie beneath the words. You’ll learn three concrete steps to d...

In this debut episode, I explain why leaders can’t rely on having all the answers. Drawing on thirty years of coaching experience and my work at Goldvarg Consulting, I introduce the concept of a coaching mindset—built on awareness, responsibility, and trust—and show how it helps teams thrive under constant disruption. I’m joined by Marcia Reynolds to discuss why this approach is essential in a wor...