Coaching Conversations with Jim Knight

This week we have a special episode with Jim Knight and Christian van Nieuwerburgh about their 20-day trek along Nepal's Annapurna Circuit. They share stories from the trail—the stunning landscapes, the physical and mental challenges, and the moments when they weren't sure they could keep going. Along the way, they reflect on what the experience taught them about growth, gratitude, and what it means to say "yes"...

Traditional SMART goals in educational coaching often fall short because they focus on what teachers do rather than what students learn. 

Jim Knight and Jessica Wise explore a different approach: the PEERS framework—goals that are Powerful, Easy, Emotionally Compelling, Reachable, and Student-Focused. 

This conversation examines why coaching must be adaptive, why genuine commitment matters more than compliance, and what 30 ...

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...

What is the purpose of coaching?

In this episode, Jim Knight reunites with Dr. Haesun Moon, Michael Bungay Stanier, and Dr. Christian van Nieuwerburgh to explore this fundamental question. Together, they examine coaching's role in fostering awareness, enabling real change, and building authentic human connection.

The conversation addresses the power of curiosity over advice, the delicate balance between support and autonomy...

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 employ...

Sometimes the most profound lessons come from unexpected places. I recently trekked Nepal's Annapurna Circuit, and the experience left me with fresh perspective on gratitude, silence, and what really matters. In this episode, Jessica Wise and I share what we're grateful for, from working with incredible educators around the world to precious family moments. We explore why noticing the good matters so much in our work, the...

In this episode of "Coaching Conversations," Amy Musante, ICG's Director of Consulting, reflects on her favorite podcast highlights from 2025. Amy and looks back at three episodes that really stayed with her. She talks about what she learned from Zaretta Hammond's insights on culturally responsive teaching, Maggie Jackson's ideas about uncertainty and adaptive expertise, and Susie Green's work on bring...

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 trul...

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 ...

In this week's Coaching Q&A episode, Jessica Wise and I dig into one of the most important topics in education today: the role of school leaders, especially principals, as instructional coaches.

We talk honestly about what great coaching really requires, the common challenges leaders face, and why authentic partnership matters so much more than compliance-driven conversations. We also explore what it looks like when le...

In this episode, Jim Knight sits down with the brilliant Zaretta Hammond, author of Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain. They discuss how teachers can bridge the gap between knowing and doing; bringing the science of learning and culturally responsive practices together to truly empower students.

Zaretta shares powerful insights on building students’ “learning power,” developing metacognitive skills, and shifting from ...

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 interacti...

Jim Knight talks with William DeJean, founder of Unleashed Learning, about what it means to teach and lead in what he calls the “era of overwhelm.” Their conversation explores how systems thinking, a clear teaching and learning mission, and the use of both “what” and “how” data can create real coherence in schools. Together, they unpack how shared language and sustainable coaching practices can help educators move past compliance a...

In this episode, Jim Knight and Jessica Wise look back on the 2025 Teaching Leading Coaching (TLC) Conference, sharing moments that stood out and lessons that stayed with them. They talk about what makes instructional coaching meaningful, how caring communication shapes real partnerships, and why collaboration among educators matters so much. 

The conversation touches on memorable keynote sessions, useful coaching practices, an...

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 ...

On the Coaching Conversations podcast, Jim Knight and Jessica Wise come together for their monthly episode of Coaching Q&A, where they talk about Jim's upcoming keynote, “Learning from Experience,” for the 2025 TLC Conference. Their conversation looks at how lessons from life—love, forgiveness, courage, and even the way we use our time—shape who we are and how we coach. Jim shares stories and research that show how everyda...