The Coaching Lens

Episode 13 – Dean Clark – Be More Like Dean

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469955/fan_mail/new] What happens when coaching stops being about having the answers? In this episode, Alan and Nick sit down with Dean Clark for a thoughtful conversation on coaching, self-awareness, relationships and the moments that shape us. From sport and leadership to grief, care and identity, Dean shares why great coaching starts with understanding yourself first. A reflective, honest discussion about presence, vulnerability and meeting people where they are. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469955/support]

Episode 12 – Jacqui Lemaitre – Blinded by The Light

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469955/fan_mail/new] In this episode, we sit down with Jacqui Lemaitre, an experienced education leader who has supported schools and senior leaders across the country. Together, we explore what it takes to lead with clarity in complex and often demanding environments. Jacqui shares insights from her journey through teaching, headship, and executive leadership, offering a thoughtful perspective on how leaders can stay focused on what truly matters. From balancing coaching and direct advice to creating space for reflection, she highlights the importance of emotional intelligence, trust, and understanding the person behind the role. With practical examples and honest reflections, this conversation offers a grounded look at how leaders can find clarity, manage pressure, and support others while continuing to grow themselves. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469955/support]

Episode 11 – Matt Coldry – Where Different Minds Can Thrive

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469955/fan_mail/new] In this episode, we’re joined by Matt Coldry, a coach and consultant specialising in neuro-inclusion, mental health, and equity. Together, we explore what it truly means to create environments where different minds can belong and thrive. Matt brings together lived experience, academic insight, and coaching practice to challenge deficit-based thinking and highlight the power of kindness, self-reflection, and strength-led approaches — offering a thoughtful lens on neurodiversity, leadership, and what inclusive cultures really look like in practice. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469955/support]

Episode 10 - Anita Patel - All Flowers can Bloom

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469955/fan_mail/new] In this episode, we sit down with Anita Patel, a leading voice in neuro-inclusion and intersectionality. Together, we dive into what it really takes to create environments where individuals can thrive on their own terms. Anita brings a rare blend of expertise, lived experience, and practical wisdom — offering a powerful lens into the world of neurodivergence and how we can better support, understand, and empower the people we work with. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469955/support]

Episode 9 - Ed Firth - Curiosity wont kill the cat

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469955/fan_mail/new] https://www.linkedin.com/in/edfirth/ A lively, no-fluff conversation with Ed Firth on cutting through noise to find the real performance levers. We unpack practical diagnostics, Kolb’s learning cycle in action, the (un)conscious competence ladder, and why EQ must be the bedrock of coaching, leadership—and recruitment. 4 key points (taster bullets) 1. Signal > noise: Stop treating symptoms. Use sharp questioning and targeted diagnostics to find root causes—so you deliver ROI and win repeat business. 2. Learn → reflect → explain → apply (Kolb): Design experiences that get people doing, then reflect, add theory, and convert insight into next-day behaviour change. 3. Keep tuning the engine: Teams drift from conscious competence to unconscious incompetence. Build regular “under-the-bonnet” pit stops to recalibrate before performance breaks. 4. Hire for how, not just what: Make EQ visible in recruitment and development—self-awareness, social awareness, and self-regulation—so culture delivers the commercial results. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469955/support]