Episode Summary:Every coach says they have standards. But what happens when those standards come face-to-face with the realities of competition—especially when a win is on the line? In this episode, Rob and Dustin dive deep into a situation almost every coach will face: Do you sit a key player who violated team rules, even if […]

In this short episode, Rob and Dustin take on one of the dilemmas coaches face: Would you bench a key player to uphold team standards—even if it means sacrificing a win? They reflect on real stories, personal missteps, and the evolution of their coaching philosophies—highlighting the difference between rules and standards, gray areas in leadership, […]

Coaching Without a Shared Vision? That’s Just Managing.Why Alignment Is the Missing Ingredient in Most Leadership Conversations If you ask most leaders what coaching means to them, you’ll hear phrases like “helping my team grow,” “giving feedback,” or “unlocking potential.” But too often, coaching conversations happen in a vacuum, focused on short-term tasks, performance gaps, […]

If You Don’t Know What Drives Your People, You’re Managing BlindWhy Great Managers Know Their Team’s Personal Goals and Values Most managers can tell you their team’s sales targets. They can list KPIs, deliverables, and performance review dates without blinking. But ask them this: “What does each person on your team care about most, personally […]

Recently on the podcast, I spoke with John Kessel, a longtime teacher of coaches and advocate for better learning environments. He shared a line that was pretty good: “If Michelangelo was still learning at 85, we can be adapting too.” St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City is among the holiest and most iconic churches in […]

Gratitude is a Coaching Superpower: What the Science Says It was the end of a long week, and I was leading a check-in with a sales manager, let’s call her Emily, I’d been coaching for months. We had built trust, had tough conversations, and seen real progress in how she led her team. But that […]

Guest Bio: Mitch HullMitch Hull is a veteran wrestling coach and leadership mentor whose career includes serving as National Teams Director at USA Wrestling across six Olympic Games. A founding member of the 3D Institute, Mitch now trains coaches across the country in character-based coaching. He brings deep wisdom and humility to conversations around i… […]

Guest Bio: Rob MillerRob Miller is a nationally respected speaker, coach, and consultant with decades of experience in leadership development through sport. A recent inductee into the NAIA Hall of Fame, Rob is a partner with Proactive Coaching, an organization dedicated to helping coaches build character-based programs and cultures. He travels extensive… Read more

Guest Bio: John KesselJohn Kessel is the former Director of Sport Development at USA Volleyball and a global leader in coaching education. With over five decades of experience, John has worked across continents, sports, and age levels to challenge traditional coaching norms and promote research-backed, athlete-centered practices. A true lifelong learner… Read more

David Shapiro is the President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Boston. Previously, he led MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership, where he helped shape national policy, advance equity in youth development, and expand the reach of high-quality mentoring. With a background in sports and nonprofit leadership, David brings a thoughtful, grounded perspect… Read more