Coaching Conversations with Jim Knight

In this episode of Coaching Conversations, Christian van Nieuwerburgh explores what it means to be a thoughtful, intentional coach. He describes four skills - listening, questioning, noticing, and playing back - and explains that they work best when they come from a place of genuine curiosity, not routine. Christian also talks about “positive presence,” a way of being with others that is grounded in attention and respect. Rather than trying to follow a script, he encourages coaches to stay ...

In this special “Learning from Experience” episode of Coaching Conversations, host Jessica Wise speaks with Mina Ibrahim, an educational leader from Egypt. Mina describes his path from engineering to founding an all-girls school and later serving as an instructional coach. His story illustrates the complex balance between leadership authority and the partnership principles that guide effective coaching. Throughout the conversation, Mina reflects on the importance of thoughtful pacing, the d...

Jim Knight welcomes back author of You're Not Listening, Kate Murphy, for a thoughtful exploration of interpersonal synchrony and its influence on coaching and human connection. Drawing on research and lived experience, they examine how people align with one another at neural, physiological, and behavioral levels, and why that alignment matters. Together, they unpack the role of self-awareness, emotional regulation, and intentional presence in building trust and fostering meaningful dialogu...

In this episode of Coaching Conversations, Ignacio Lopez and Jim Knight explore how emotional intelligence shapes the way educators lead and coach in schools, particularly as they continue to navigate the ongoing challenges they've faced since the pandemic. Ignacio, who wrote The EQ Way, walks listeners through the five dimensions of emotional intelligence and offers concrete, practical approaches that leaders and coaches can use right away to deepen empathy, strengthen self-regulatio...

This week, I'm welcoming Kim Scott, author of Radical Respect, back to Coaching Conversations. We discuss leadership, communication, and fostering respect at work. Kim explains her concept of "radical respect," emphasizing dignity for all, and offers practical strategies to address bias, prejudice, and bullying. Our conversation covers tools for safe feedback, handling power dynamics, and supporting vulnerable employees. Kim shares actionable tips like using signals to flag microaggressions a...

What's the difference between directive and non-directive coaching? Should coaches set the agenda or let teachers lead? In this episode, Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener joins Jim Knight to explore the philosophy and practice of instructional coaching. They tackle the big questions: balancing directive and non-directive approaches, the role of curiosity and empathy in coaching relationships, and how to give feedback that truly lands. The conversation explores why emotions matter in coaching, how sm...

In this episode of Coaching Conversations, ICG Consultant Jessica Wise looks back at three standout episodes from 2025. Each one pushed her thinking about how we can better support educators and help schools flourish. Listeners will hear why connection sits at the heart of real change and why strong support systems matter so much for educator well-being. Jessica also highlights practical ideas for creating schools where mental health is a priority and where people feel safe, supported, and ...

Chris Munro, John Campbell, and Jim Knight talk about what leadership coaching really looks like in schools. So much of it comes down to the conversations we have every day—the small moments that help people think, reflect, and grow. In this episode they discuss ideas from their latest book Growth Talk, including tools like the Learning Conversations Map and the GROWTH model—both designed to help leaders turn ordinary interactions into meaningful opportunities for learning. They also talked...

What does it really take to build a coaching program that works - not just on paper, but in real schools with real people? In this conversation, Jim Knight talks with TLC 2025 presenter Dr. Jataune Jones, about what makes instructional coaching thrive, the power of core values, strong partnerships between coaches and principals, and the importance of shaping coaching around each school's unique context. Dr. Jataune Jones also shares practical ideas like auditing coaching roles, creatin...