Sometimes, the people we love the most get the version of us we like the least. That’s normal, and we can do better. Our summer break series will help make that a reality by showing you how to apply your coaching moves in your everyday life. Minimal investment, big payoff. That’s our kind of summer! Keep learning: Get more micro-learning at your fingertips with our Coach Learning Library and PLC Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox Watch the Bright Morning Podcast o...
Jun 30, 2025•17 min
Sometimes, the people we love the most get the version of us we like the least. That’s normal, and we can do better. Our summer break series will help make that a reality by showing you how to apply your coaching moves in your everyday life. Minimal investment, big payoff. That’s our kind of summer! Keep learning: Get more micro-learning at your fingertips with our Coach Learning Library and PLC Core Emotions (free tool) Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox Watch th...
Jun 23, 2025•22 min
In this episode, Elena tackles a challenge you're likely facing right now: the frantic race to complete year-end responsibilities while a crucial growth opportunity passes you by. Through an authentic coaching conversation, she shows you how to create an intentional summer learning plan when you're the one who always develops others. Notable moments: 01:19 Context for coaching conversation 03:59 Start of coaching conversation 07:06 Addressing Confidence and Cultural Competence 11:23 Feedback and...
Jun 16, 2025•24 min
Elena reveals how those moments when you suddenly lose composure—whether from a colleague's comment or an unexpected email—aren't signs of weakness but powerful opportunities. Discover how understanding your emotional activation points can actually be the unexpected key to greater job satisfaction and professional effectiveness. Notable moments: 00:31 Exploring Emotional Triggers at Work 01:32 Understanding and Recognizing Triggers 04:22 Steps to Manage and Explore Triggers 09:29 Frameworks for ...
Jun 09, 2025•17 min
Tired of end-of-year celebrations that only recognize a select few? In this episode, Elena reveals how inclusive celebrations that honor everyone's growth—not just achievement—can transform school culture and build resilience. Through practical examples and actionable advice, she shows how meaningful recognition fills resilience tanks and strengthens communities, especially after challenging years in education. Notable moments: 00:28 The Importance of Celebrating Successes 02:05 Why Celebrations...
Jun 02, 2025•15 min
Want to improve your self-awareness, strengthen your relationships, and refine your ability to make choices that align with your values? That’s what this episode will help you do. Elena shares five questions from her end-of-year reflection for coaches that will help you soak up all of the learning from this year and help you head into summer with clarity and self-appreciation. Notable moments: 00:43 The Power of End-of-Year Reflection 01:39 Key Reflection Questions 03:54 Start Your Reflection! K...
May 26, 2025•7 min
Have you ever been frustrated in a conversation with a manager? If so, this episode is for you! Elena shares how you can use your coaching tools to “coach up,” resulting in more empowered and impactful conversations. Notable moments: 00:41 Understanding the Concept of Coaching Up 01:57 Benefits of Taking a Coaching Stance 03:34 Personal Experiences with Coaching Up 04:56 Challenges and Possibilities of Coaching Up 06:04 Final Thoughts and Encouragement Keep learning: Join the Coach Learning Libr...
May 19, 2025•9 min
The peak-end rule tells us that how a person experiences an ending matters tremendously– that people judge an experience based on how they felt at its peak and its end, rather than the total sum or average of an entire experience. That means that your final conversation of the year is arguably one of the most critical for your coaching relationships. In this episode, Elena demonstrates how to facilitate a conversation that celebrates growth and builds forward momentum. Notable moments: 00:24 Pre...
May 12, 2025•22 min
Do you have a client who failed to make meaningful progress towards their goals this year? In this short episode, Elena guides you through how to navigate these painful situations and provides specific techniques and questions to facilitate productive and compassionate end-of-year reflections. Notable moments: 00:19 Navigating Client Progress Challenges 01:25 Facilitating End-of-Year Reflections 03:15 Probing for Insights and Recognizing Growth 03:40 Sharing Observations with Clients 04:47 Concl...
May 05, 2025•6 min
Coaching emotions is a foundational ability of a Transformational Coach…and one of the hardest things for many people to do. In this episode, Elena demonstrates how to use the Core Emotions tool in an especially challenging situation–when a client is struggling with external factors like the state of the broader world– but is resistant to talking about their experience. Notable moments: 00:23 The Importance of Coaching Emotions 01:52 Role Play Demonstration Setup 04:01 Starting the Role Play Con...
Apr 28, 2025•38 min
Cultivating our way of being—how we show up—is the most important work we can do. In this episode, Elena shares the five Transformational Coaching dispositions that will change your conversations—and your life. Notable moments: 01:18 The Power of Setting Intentions 04:37 Transformational Coaching Dispositions 11:19 Affirmations for the Five Dispositions Keep learning: Join the Coaching Learning Library and PLC to access the Transformational Coaching Dispositions Skill Session (and 47 additional ...
Apr 21, 2025•15 min
Not being present is a recipe for unproductive conversations and relationships. Unfortunately, it’s a hard state for most people to be in–especially in a world where much is designed to distract us! In this episode, Elena offers practical strategies to help you return to presence when distracted so you can have the type of impact you hope for in your coaching conversations. Notable moments: 01:18 The Importance of Being Present 02:31 Defining Presence 07:35 Strategies for Cultivating Presence 10...
Apr 14, 2025•13 min
Coaching the problem, not the person, is the number one trap that coaches fall into. In this episode, Elena demonstrates how you can use expansive listening to unlock possibilities and empower your client. Notable moments: 01:12 The Power of Expansive Listening 02:49 Role Play Demonstration: Default Listening 11:10 Role Play Demonstration: Expansive Listening 22:09 Conclusion and Resources Keep learning: Join the Coaching Learning Library and PLC to access the Expansive Listening Skill Session (...
Apr 07, 2025•25 min
How can we bring some creativity and levity to our coaching conversations? What about helping our clients access their needs? Or connecting them to their power? A replay of our fan-favorite First 5 Minutes series. These short episodes will teach you how to incorporate one resilience-boosting question into your conversations to help your clients get through the spring slump. In addition to providing you with a new question each week, Elena also walks through how to introduce this new type of ques...
Mar 31, 2025•17 min
How do you kindle a sense of power and agency in your coachee when they are feeling deflated or overwhelmed? A replay of our fan-favorite First 5 Minutes series. These short episodes will teach you how to incorporate one resilience-boosting question into your conversations to help your clients get through the spring slump. In addition to providing you with a new question each week, Elena also walks through how to introduce this new type of question, models what that might look like, pulls back t...
Mar 24, 2025•12 min
How can we instill our clients with confidence in their potential to learn and grow? A replay of our fan-favorite First 5 Minutes series. These short episodes will teach you how to incorporate one resilience-boosting question into your conversations to help your clients get through the spring slump. In addition to providing you with a new question each week, Elena also walks through how to introduce this new type of question, models what that might look like, pulls back the curtain on why this q...
Mar 17, 2025•14 min
A replay of our fan-favorite First 5 Minutes series. These short episodes will teach you how to incorporate one resilience-boosting question into your conversations to help your clients get through the spring slump. In addition to providing you with a new question each week, Elena also walks through how to introduce this new type of question, models what that might look like, pulls back the curtain on why this question works, and shares some wisdom on how to artfully put this into action. This e...
Mar 10, 2025•16 min
What does it look like to incorporate Transformational Coaching into everyday instructional coaching practices? Get ready to see it in action. In this episode, Elena demonstrates how to transform lesson plan feedback from transactional to transformational. Notable moments: 01:27 Role Play Demonstration Setup 03:35 Feedback on Lesson Plans 07:15 Reflecting on Independent Work 10:02 Planning and Tracking Student Progress 16:37 Engaging Students in Their Learning 20:50 Final Thoughts and Next Steps...
Mar 03, 2025•27 min
Standardized testing season is upon us, and that means you’re likely to experience some big feelings in your schools and coaching conversations. In this episode, Elena demonstrates how you can skillfully coach a teacher to consider how they want to approach this season. Notable moments: 01:26 Role Play Setup 03:18 Diving into the Role Play 05:56 Exploring Beliefs and Emotions 14:03 Shifting Perspectives and Finding Solutions 26:07 Reflecting on the Coaching Session 27:28 Continued Learning and R...
Feb 24, 2025•30 min
How do instructional coaching and Transformational Coaching work together? This is a question we hear a lot. In this episode, Elena demonstrates some of the many ways that Transformational Coaching compliments and enhances instructional coaching, resulting in tangible benefits for students and teachers alike. You’ll hear Elena coach a current 6th-grade ELA teacher who has been teaching for 17 years and is looking to push her proficient students to higher levels of knowledge. Notable moments: 00:...
Feb 17, 2025•40 min
Working with a focal student is one coaching strategy that works just as well with clients who are completely overwhelmed as it does with those who are competent and confident in their role–and it’s pretty darn easy. Listen in to hear what you need to know to try this out in your coaching practice. Notable moments: 01:52 Introduction to Focal Students 03:03 Step-by-Step Guide to Working with Focal Students 08:26 Ways to Continue Learning Keep learning: Join our Coaching Learning Library & PL...
Feb 10, 2025•10 min
Student surveys can help close knowledge gaps about students' backgrounds, close emotional intelligence gaps regarding the experience their students are having in their classroom, and build relational trust. If you have a client who isn’t connecting with their students, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Notable moments: 00:32 Introducing a Powerful Coaching Tool 01:03 Case Study: Coaching David 03:04 The Concept of a Third Point in Coaching 06:01 Benefits of Using Surveys in Coaching 08...
Feb 03, 2025•13 min
Change is why we coach. And it’s why working with a client who is stuck, resistant, or has hit a plateau can be so frustrating. In these moments, you need to be prepared to take a confrontational stance. That’s what Elena will show you how to do in this episode. Notable moments: 00:44 Introduction to Today's Roleplay Demonstration 04:12 Exploring Emotions and Reactions 09:41 Considering Next Steps and Solutions 15:20 Final Thoughts and Acknowledgements Keep learning: Join our Coaching Learning L...
Jan 27, 2025•18 min
There is no coaching without trust. But how do you know if your clients trust you? In today’s episode, Elena demonstrates how to do a trust check-in with your clients so you don’t have to guess or make assumptions. She also masterfully navigates learning that there has been a breach of trust. This episode is a must for every coach and leader. Notable moments: 01:06 Roleplay Demonstration Setup 02:11 First Roleplay: Assessing Trust 10:27 Second Roleplay: Addressing Trust Issues 18:30 Conclusion a...
Jan 20, 2025•21 min
If you are coaching someone who is struggling to learn how to do something new, today’s episode is for you. When growing our skills, the stages of learning are completely predictable, but most people aren't aware of that, and as a result, they can suffer. In this episode, Elena demonstrates how to use the Conscious Competence Ladder, a tool created by Noel Burch, to transform how your clients experience growing paints. Keep learning: Join our Coaching Learning Library and PLC and learn everythin...
Jan 13, 2025•22 min
Resolutions don’t work for the overwhelming number of people, but we know what does! In this timely episode replay, Elena shares the simple, research-based, strategy she used to support her in making 2023 one of her best years yet. Listen in, grab your free resource, and take the first step in making 2025 a great year. Keep learning: Join the Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC to gain access to our January Back from Break series, and 44 additional Skill Sessions! Core Human Needs...
Dec 30, 2024•21 min
In this timely replay, Elena once again becomes the coach in your ear, providing some guidance for how you can think about winter break to ensure it serves you and your needs. Keep learning: Join the Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC to gain access to our January Back from Break series, and 44 additional Skill Sessions! Attend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to you...
Dec 23, 2024•13 min
The Peak End rule tells us that people's final experience has an outsized influence on how they remember something. This is great news for our coaching! In this episode, Elena demonstrates how to use the final conversation of the calendar year to send your clients into break feeling empowered and accomplished. Notable moments: 00:30 Setting the Stage for Role Play Demonstration 02:10 Jumping into the Role Play 16:42 Debriefing the Role Play 22:38 Final Thoughts and Resources Keep learning: Free ...
Dec 16, 2024•25 min
Soliciting feedback from your coaching clients has big benefits, including strengthening your practice, building trust, and modeling being a learner. And it can be scary! In this episode, Elena demonstrates how to confidently and clearly ask for client feedback and acknowledge receiving it. As a bonus, you’ll also hear how to open your coaching conversations with a question that builds resilience! Notable moments: 00:43 Role Play Demonstration Setup 02:55 Part 1: Introducing the Feedback Survey ...
Dec 09, 2024•17 min
Elena addresses one of the most challenging aspects of coaching—navigating confidentiality within an organization. Through a role-play conversation with a school administrator, she demonstrates how to approach situations where a teacher's performance negatively impacts students while maintaining confidentiality. This conversation is part of our Learning Library skill session, Updating Admin on a Struggling Teacher . Notable moments: 00:45 Role Play: Addressing Concerns with an Administrator 02:1...
Dec 02, 2024•23 min
