Welcome to The Coaching Podcast – coach for success in both sports and business. I'm your host, Coach EM, known as The Energy Coach and Activation Speaker, recognized globally for unleashing human potential. Join me as I engage with top sports and business coaches worldwide, delving into the essence of greatness in coaching. Through thought-provoking and coaching-specific questions, we explore the commonalities and differences between coaching in sports and business.My conversations with coaches
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August 11, 20262 min
Coach EM Gem #228: Coaching Questions to Unlock Drive
Coach EM Gem — Coach the Person First
One of the biggest mistakes leaders make is coaching the problem before they understand the person.
The better you understand the person in front of you, the better you can coach them.
Try asking:
• What motivates you?• What's your why?• What gives you a sense of purpose?• What does success look like for you?• How do you like to receive feedback?• What makes you happy at work?
In sport, I often ask athletes about the books they've read, podcasts they've listened to, role models they admire, and experiences that have shaped them.
These clues reveal what they value, how they think, and what drives them.
When we take the time to understand someone's world, coaching becomes more personal, more meaningful, and more effective.
Remember:
Coach the person, not just the performance.
• Live inspired• Practice improving• Lead with Impact
Here is the TED talk I refer to: "Teach girls bravery, not perfection" by Reshma Saujani.
August 4, 202637 min
Business Coach #227: Jon Purpura - Rewirement "V" Retirement
Many leaders think their job is to have the answers. Jon Purpura believes the opposite. After more than 30 years leading teams at United Airlines, Jon has discovered that great leadership is built on curiosity, confidence, and creating environments where people genuinely want to show up. In this episode, we explore the power of vulnerability, psychological safety, executive presence, and why the quality of our leadership is ultimately determined by the quality of the questions we ask. If you're looking to become a more human, collaborative, and impactful leader, you'll love this conversation.
About Jon Purpura
Jon Purpura is the Founder of Elevate Advisory, a leadership coaching and advisory firm dedicated to helping leaders unlock their full potential. Following a distinguished 30-year career with United Airlines, Jon now partners with executives and organizations to develop confident, authentic leaders who build high-performing teams and workplaces where people genuinely want to be.
Drawing on decades of leadership experience, executive coaching, and positive psychology, Jon helps leaders communicate with greater impact, lead through uncertainty, strengthen relationships, and inspire higher levels of engagement. His mission is simple: help people become the leaders they aspire to be so they can create a lasting positive impact on the people and organizations they serve.
Connect with Jon:
Website: https://elevateadvisoryinc.com Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-purpura-4b250336/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jon.purpura.5/
July 28, 20262 min
Coach EM Gem #226: Go Curious. Lead Better. Listen now.
Coach EM Gem — Go Curious
Micromanagement is often driven by certainty.
Coaching leadership is driven by curiosity.
The next time you're tempted to tell someone what to do, try one of these instead:
❌ "That won't work."✅ "What if...?"
❌ "Here's the answer."✅ "I'm curious..."
❌ "I don't know."✅ "Imagine if...?"
A few of my favourite coaching questions:
• What if there was another way?• What options have you already considered?• What are you not seeing?• What would have to be true?• Where could we start?
The moment you move from telling to wondering, people start thinking for themselves.
The quality of your leadership is often reflected in the quality of your questions.
• Live inspired• Practice improving• Lead with Impact
July 21, 202646 min
Tennis Coach #225: Mike Sell - Know Your Player: Coaching the Person Before the Performance
What does it really mean to "know your player"? In this episode of The Coaching Podcast, Coach EM sits down with former ATP professional, Olympic coach, and LTP Academy Co-Director Mike Sell to explore why great coaching begins with understanding the individual. Mike shares practical insights on tailoring development to each player's needs, creating purposeful practice with no wasted repetitions, preparing to win, and remaining calm under pressure—like the flight attendant during turbulence. They also discuss the value of having a second set of eyes on your coaching, the dangers of over-coaching, the importance of asking great questions and listening deeply, and why the best leaders know that coaching is about people, not position. Whether you're coaching athletes, leading a team, or raising children, this conversation is packed with simple yet powerful ideas to help you develop people with greater intention.
About Mike Sell
Mike Sell is Co-Director of LTP (Live to Play) Academy and Director of the LTP Pro Program. A former ATP Tour professional, Mike reached career-high rankings of World No. 136 in singles and No. 83 in doubles before building an outstanding coaching career at every level of the game. He has coached some of tennis's biggest names, including Serena Williams, John Isner, Tommy Paul, Reilly Opelka, Donald Young, and Monica Seles, and served as Lead National Coach for the USTA and Assistant Coach for the U.S. Olympic Team at the 2012 London Games, where Team USA won three gold medals and one bronze. A four-time All-American at the University of Georgia and recipient of the Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship and Leadership Award, Mike is passionate about developing players and coaches alike, with a coaching philosophy centered on knowing the person before coaching the player.
Learn more:
https://ltpchs.com/team/michael-sell-ltp-pro-program/
July 14, 20263 min
Coach EM Gem #224: Are we speaking the same language?
Coach EM Gem — Are You Speaking the Same Language?
A Vistage Chair recently sent me this note after one of my workshops:
"I reckon you’re an absolute legend—your energy had the whole room stoked! Fair dinkum, your custom approach was spot-on for the crew’s skillset. And crikey, you nailed it—coaching’s a ripper topic that’s not talked about enough. I’ll be spreading the word like a kangaroo on the hop. No worries, I’ve got zero suggestions—you’re already smashing it!"
Needless to say, my American friends found it hilarious.
It reminded me of a point I often make in leadership:
Never assume people are speaking the same language.
In a California workshop, I shared this classic Aussie sentence:
"So next arvo, we're gonna head down to the park for a barbie. I'll bring the chooks and snags if you could bring an eski of stubbies. Hopefully this time you won't get crook. Be sure and bring your cossie and your togs since it should be a nice day and it's totally fine to be in your thongs..."
The room had absolutely no idea what I was talking about.
The lesson?
Communication is not about what you say.
Communication is about what the other person understands.
As leaders, coaches, parents, and teammates, we often assume our message is clear because it makes sense to us.
But clarity lives with the listener, not the speaker.
Before moving on, ask:
"What did you hear?""What does that mean to you?""Can you tell me that back in your own words?"
Because effective communication isn't what you say.
It's what they hear.
• Live inspired• Practice improving• Lead with Impact
July 7, 202641 min
Leadership Communication Coach #223: Dr Erina Reddan - Talk with Meaning
Communication isn't just a leadership skill - it's leadership itself. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Erina Reddan, a former foreign correspondent, award-winning journalist, and communication coach, to explore why great leaders don't just share information - they create meaning. We unpack the power of storytelling, why our brains are wired to connect through stories, how to communicate with both logical and emotional clarity, and why every conversation should begin with the problem before jumping to the solution. Erina also shares powerful lessons from reporting in crisis zones, revealing how leaders can stay human under pressure, take the heat out of difficult conversations, and navigate uncertainty with confidence. One of my favourite takeaways: AI is a tool, don't let it be you!
About Erina Reddan
Dr Erina Reddan is a Walkley Award-winning (which is Australia’s equivalent to the Pulitzer prize if you need this) former foreign correspondent, television and radio presenter, author, and communication coach who has built a career at the intersection of storytelling, leadership, and impact. With a PhD in story-telling and a background in crisis communication, Erina focuses on the power of story, leadership in uncertain times, building resilience, and how communication can shift culture and transform outcomes. Her unique blend of real-world experience, from the frontlines of global reporting to the boardrooms of Australia’s most influential organisations means she equips you with practical tools and powerful insights to communicate with clarity, lead with confidence, and become more impactful as coaches and leaders.
Connect with Erina:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-erina-reddan-b327034/ Website: https://www.redriver.net.au/
June 30, 20261 min
Coach EM Gem #222: Do you want to go to the next level? Here's how ...
Coach EM Gem - Do You Want to Go to the Next Level?
Many people say:
"I want to go to the next level."
That's a good start.
But a better question is:
"How can I grow to the next level?"
Wanting is intention.
Growing requires action.
The key is not making a giant leap. The key is making the first step so small and so easy that you can't talk yourself out of it.
Growth happens when action follows intention.
So instead of focusing on the next level, focus on the next step.
Because every level you've ever reached started with one simple action.
• Live inspired• Practice improving• Lead with Impact
June 23, 202645 min
Coach Educator #221: Isaac McBroom - How to Design Better Learning Environments
In this episode, I sit down with Isaac McBroom, Education Manager for the PTR and author of A Constraints-Led Approach to Coaching Tennis. We explore why great coaching is less about giving instructions and more about creating environments where people can learn, adapt, and discover solutions for themselves. From Theory of Mind and Ecological Dynamics to leadership, autonomy, and decision-making, Isaac shares why coaching is ultimately a collaborative dance between the learner, their environment, and the coach.
About Isaac McBroom
Isaac McBroom is the Education Manager for the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR), a coach developer, educator, and former ATP/WTA tour coach with more than a decade of experience in high-performance tennis. Known for bridging the gap between coaching science and practice, Isaac has played a leading role in modernizing coach education through ecological dynamics and the constraints-led approach. He is the author of A Constraints-Led Approach to Coaching Tennis and works with coaches around the world to design learning environments that develop adaptable, creative, and resilient athletes.
Connect with IssacWebsite: https://ptrtennis.org/Insta: Isaac.mcbroomBuy Issac's book on AmazonBonus Viewing:Sir John Whitmore's famous golf lesson demonstrating the difference between "Ask" versus "Tell":https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncb1jjRZyNU
June 9, 20261 min
Coach EM Gem #220: Don’t Wish Away Your Time
Coach EM Gems 💎
How often do we say:
“I just need to get through this week… this season… this stage of life.”
Lately, I’ve been reminded how quickly time moves and how easy it is to wish parts of our lives away while waiting for the next thing.
This Coach EM Gem is a reminder to slow down, be present, and find the gift in the season you are in – even the difficult ones.
Today’s Coach EM Gem is powered by Sam – the AI tool built for the coaching world. Coaches, spend less time marketing and more time coaching. Clients, find your perfect match – without the romance. Visit www.TrySam.ai
• Live inspired• Practice improving• Lead with Impact
May 26, 202651 min
Leadership Coach #219: Jaquie Scammell - Interested vs Committed: The Human Edge in a Fast-Moving World
Everything starts in the mind – and in this episode of The Coaching Podcast, I sit down with Jaquie Scammell to explore what that really means for leaders navigating a fast-moving, AI-driven world. This is a conversation about perspective, presence, and performance – from how we manage our thoughts and energy in the micro-moments, to how we show up for others through feedback, coaching, and everyday service. We dive into the difference between being interested versus committed, why feedback is one of the greatest gifts you can give, and how leadership is ultimately about creating the conditions for people to thrive.
About Jaquie Scammell
Jaquie Scammell is the CEO and Founder of ServiceQ and one of the leading voices in service leadership today, known for helping organisations strengthen human connection in a world that is moving faster, becoming more automated, and asking more of its people.
Her work sits at the intersection of leadership, culture and customer experience, where she partners with senior leaders to turn service from something people perform into something people live – embedded in behaviour, decision-making and the everyday moments that shape reputation.
As the architect behind Service Habits™ and 5D Service Leadership™, Jaquie has developed practical operating systems that help organisations build cultures of consistency, ownership and care – not as concepts, but as capabilities that drive performance.
She has worked across industries including aviation, banking, infrastructure and resources, with organisations such as BHP, Westpac, Melbourne Airport and Virgin Australia. A published, award-winning author, Jaquie is known for her ability to translate complex human dynamics into clear, actionable leadership.
In the room, she brings both edge and empathy, creating environments where leaders are challenged to think differently, take ownership, and step forward with clarity.
Connect with Jaquie
Website: https://serviceq.co/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jaquiescammell Company: https://au.linkedin.com/company/serviceq Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaquiescammellofficial/
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