Leader Manager Coach Podcast

Rob talks to swimming coach, Hilton Slack, one of the most successful in his pursuit, about the challenges of coaching and leadership, the responsibility we have to the generation of tomorrow, and the many lessons learned during his long and illustrious career.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Many coaches begin by splitting their time during the day, working a full-time job in the daytime, and coaching in th...

Rob continues his fascinating look at the philosophies of Leo Tolstoy, and the insightful ways in which his teachings can positively impact coaching and mentoring practices. In this week's edition, Rob talks about the importance of celebrating achievement, why we must always find the time to communicate effectively, and measuring life through deeds. KEY TAKEAWAYS Make sure that our lives are about...

In this week's edition of the podcast, Rob talks about the special characteristics that those in the Elite Special Forces must develop in order to become the best, and how you can emulate and learn from those with a higher level of leadership.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Books are the inexpensive pathways into the lives and journeys of great leaders. We are fortunate that the great thinkers and leaders h...

  This week, Rob talks about an inspiring work of literature, 'The Captain Class: The Hidden Force Behind The World's Greatest Teams' by Sam Walker; a work that sells itself on the proposition that “A great leader is not what you think"   KEY TAKEAWAYS Teams don't find success through the efforts of one person. But sometimes one person can act as the “magic ingredient”...

Rob talks to one of Scotland's most successful player/managers, Ed Wolecki Black, former manager of Glasgow City, Airedrieonians, and Celtic Women, about his life in the game and his most valuable insights as a coach, as well as the many victories and challenges he has faced over his vast and varied career.   KEY TAKEAWAYS A good coach is one who accepts the wisdom of those who teach, and who...

Rob continues his fascinating look at the philosophies of Leo Tolstoy, and the insightful ways in which his teachings can positively impact coaching and mentoring practices. In this episode, Rob discusses the importance of self-knowledge, the power of words, why we should obey the voice of our conscience, and why we should always stand by our own philosophies. KEY TAKEAWAYS Every journey begins wi...

Life itself is a journey without a map. We're born, and must find our way through the journey of existence with no predefined blueprint to follow. In this week's show, Rob discusses the multi-faceted and varied journeys we all take, and what commonalities link all pilgrimages through life.   KEY TAKEAWAYS We often find that it's far easier to make important decisions about lives other than ou...

Coaching is a pursuit that takes place across many different disciplines. The finest leaders know that knowledge and wisdom are universal. After listening to a marvellous masterclass in the art of coaching from rugby coach, Eddie Jones, Rob is inspired to share some of the finest points of the interview, and the wisest lessons learned, so that you can become the best coach you can be. KEY TAKEAWAY...

Rob talks to young up-and-coming player, Connor Taylor, about life from the perspective of one of football's most promising future stars.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Perseverance and dedication are two qualities that Connor was forced to learn quickly in his youth. Setbacks are magnified by youth. Resilience is formed swiftly. As a football player, even in the role of defender, you must have the skills t...

Rob continues his fascinating look at the philosophies of Leo Tolstoy, and the insightful ways in which his teachings can positively impact coaching and mentoring practices. In this episode, we look at the power of true listening, the importance of detachment, and what it means to “close the gap”. KEY TAKEAWAYS We are all students, and should embrace the attitude that we are always lea...

Spencer Fearn has devoted himself to developing the next generation of football players, despite the fact that he also spends a significant portion of his life in developing himself in areas such as UEFA licensing and even a business master's degree. Spencer joins the conversation to discuss the importance of not just instilling the values of the game into his young charges, but also of equipping...

The effects and implications of lockdown are widespread, and are taking a serious toll on not just the economy, but our mental health. Human beings are social animals, and to be quarantined away from each other is not a natural state to find ourselves in. This week, Rob candidly examines the effects of the lockdown on his own wellbeing, and discusses how we can use our strength of will to see ours...

This week, Rob examines the ground-breaking, monumental work by author Jed C. Davies, 'The Philosophy Of Football: In Shadows Of Marcelo Bielsa', and the fascinating, if sometimes uncomfortable questions it raises about the state of the modern game.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Football is a game of opinions; that's what makes it the “beautiful game” in the first place. It is a game of endless...

In the ninth part of his fascinating look into the teachings and wisdom of Leo Tolstoy, and how it can enhance your coaching abilities, Rob talks about the importance living life to its fullest, why we need to take care of our spirits as well as our bodies, and the power of a word well chosen.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Only as we grow older, and realise that days spent are days lost, can we truly reali...

Stuart Watkiss is a an ex-footballer turned professional coach, who's spent a significant part of his life in developing Bangladesh's players of tomorrow. Stuart's journey through life has been one of resilience, challenge and fortitude. As he discusses in this week's show, these are qualities he has taken from his story, his personal challenges, working hard to transfer to the hearts and minds of...

Rob discusses a subject that is key to not just grass roots and youth football, but also to the future of football at all levels: physical competency. No matter which path we choose in football, the game itself demands, at its very foundations, a level of physical competency in order to achieve success. In this week's show, Rob discusses the basic components of competency to which any aspiring pla...

In years to come, we will no doubt look back upon 2020 as not just a time of lockdown and fear, but of great change. Change is perhaps the greatest and most positive effect of the quarantine, with many speculating upon how it will take form in the near future. In today's show, Rob discusses the concept of change itself, and why it must be embraced at every opportunity. KEY TAKEAWAYS We are the pro...

Rob explains the importance of Hierarchies of competence and why understanding what it actually takes to carve out a meaningful life is key. He explores the changes that have brought not an equality for all but the creation of an equality of outcome. We are all different, all unique but this means to achieve we need to not only value practice but also understand what it really means to undertake a...

In this very special episode, Rob talks to father-son coaches, Keith and David Meyer, the co-authors of ‘Gold Dust', one of the hottest titles on the market right now due to its practical wisdom and inspiring message of empowerment for all aspiring coaches. Keith and David discuss their thought process behind the book, the ongoing power of their relationship, and the respective journeys that...

Self-reflection and study has sown Rob the value of "Finding The One”, the art of discovering the one key player in any team, that can make all the difference. It's the same in life. As Rob explains, finding the one element or key player in any pursuit, be it football, politics or business, can be the difference between stagnancy and supremacy. KEY TAKEAWAYS Bangladesh is a nation that's hun...

Matt Ward has spent a lifetime becoming one of the world's greatest coaches, and has since gone on to recount his experiences on the written page, as well as playing a huge part in recognising the efforts of British coaches abroad through The British Football Coaches Network. Matt joins Rob today to talk about the highs and lows of his varied career, that have turned him from shy young lad with a...

We're in the middle of unprecedented times, and no matter where we're from or who we are, we're all impacted. For the current generation, the coronavirus has delivered an epoch-shifting way in which we live our lives. Rob examines, in his trademark philosophical way, the effects of the quarantine, and our eventual role in helping humanity to get back on track through leadership and wisdom. KEY TAK...

As we continue this month our series of discussions on Leo Tolstoy's book and its coaching wisdom, we focus more on introspection which can help us understand what we have in ourselves and eventually in our surroundings. We get so tangled up and give so much attention to unnecessary things that we forget to appreciate our own freedom; the beauty of having peace and unity, the attitude of not givin...

Rob welcomes you to another fascinating discussion, this time centred around the concept of risk, and what it means to us as individuals? How much something means to you, in terms of outcome, can determine the level of risk we are willing to take in order to achieve it. But can we influence those factors through mindset or will power? Is this the secret behind the great risks in history, or the de...

Today Rob talks about adversity in its many forms, and the ways in which we can use the surprising power of negative thinking in overcoming adversity in our lives. It's a tool we rarely ever use in order to face everyday life, but as Rob explains, it may just be the key to unlocking a more positive, productive outlook on life. KEY TAKEAWAYS One of Ryan Holiday's views surrounding the stoic philoso...