The Bright Morning Podcast

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 PLCCore Emotions (free tool)Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxWatch the Bright Morning Podcast on YouTube and subscribe to our channelBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: Think about a recent interaction where you weren't at your best. Where was your emotional state before that conversation began? If you had taken 60 seconds to notice, release, and set an intention, how might that conversation have unfolded differently?Consider which transitions in your day tend to be the most challenging—perhaps between work and home, or between different roles and responsibilities. How might you build in brief moments of preparation before these transitions to help you show up more intentionally?Reflect on your patterns: What emotions or states do you most commonly bring into important conversations without realizing it? What intentions would be most transformative for you to set regularly before engaging with the people you care about most?Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

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 conversation03:59 Start of coaching conversation 07:06 Addressing Confidence and Cultural Competence11:23 Feedback and Communication Skills16:43 Creating a Summer Learning Plan21:04 Conclusion and ResourcesKeep learning: Start your Coach Learning Library and PLC subscription – the Creating Your Summer Learning Plan Skill Session will help you find so much more fulfillment in your job (and life!) Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxWatch the Bright Morning Podcast on YouTube and subscribe to our channelBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: What aspects of your coaching or leadership practice felt most challenging this past year? How might intentional summer learning help you address these challenges and return to school with renewed confidence?Consider your professional growth over the past few years. Where have you made progress, and what areas still feel like opportunities for development? What would meaningful growth in these areas look like?What conditions help you learn most effectively? Do you thrive in collaborative settings, prefer self-directed study, or benefit from structured courses? How might you design a summer learning plan that honors your unique learning preferences while stretching you in new ways?Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript 

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 Work01:32 Understanding and Recognizing Triggers04:22 Steps to Manage and Explore Triggers09:29 Frameworks for Analyzing Triggers11:07 Practical Examples and Applications14:33 Conclusion and Further ResourcesKeep learning: Start your Coach Learning Library and PLC subscription – the Exploring Your Triggers Skill Session will help you find so much more fulfillment in your job (and life!) Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching (Chapter 8 explores triggers) Core Values (free tool)Core Human Needs (free tool) Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxWatch the Bright Morning Podcast on YouTube and subscribe to our channelBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: Think about the last time you were emotionally triggered at work. What physical sensations did you notice in your body, and what emotions arose? How might recognizing these signals earlier help you respond differently in future triggering situations?Consider your pattern of triggers over time. Do you notice any common themes or situations that consistently activate you? What might these patterns reveal about your core values or unmet needs in your professional life?How do you typically treat yourself when you've been triggered? Do you tend toward self-criticism or self-compassion? What simple phrase of self-compassion could you develop to offer yourself in moments when you're emotionally activated?Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast

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 Successes02:05 Why Celebrations Matter in Professional Communities03:52 Elements of Meaningful Celebrations05:47 A Real-Life Example of Effective Celebration08:09 Overcoming Challenges to Implement Celebrations10:19 Building Collective Resilience Through Celebrations12:07 Invitation to Learn More13:33 Wrapping Up and Final ThoughtsKeep learning: Start your Coach Learning Library and PLC subscription – the Celebrating Your Successes in Community Skill Session will help you find so much more fulfillment in your job (and life!) Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxWatch the Bright Morning Podcast on YouTube and subscribe to our channelBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: Think about your own experiences with end-of-year celebrations in educational settings. Which ones felt meaningful and why? Which ones left you feeling unseen or unacknowledged? What might these experiences reveal about what you and your colleagues need from celebrations?Consider the current celebration practices in your school or organization. To what extent do they acknowledge everyone's growth and contributions? Who tends to be recognized, and who might be feeling left out? What small shift could make these celebrations more inclusive?Reflect on a moment from this school year when you felt you were living your purpose as an educator or leader. Who knows about this moment? How might sharing this story—and hearing others' stories—contribute to your collective resilience as a community?Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

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 Reflection01:39 Key Reflection Questions03:54 Start Your Reflection! Keep learning: Join the Coach Learning Library and PLC to access the Your End of Year Reflection Skill Session (and 47 additional sessions + monthly live PLC!)  Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: Did you meet your goals for the year? If so, what do you think allowed you to do so? If not, what got in the way?What do you think you did that had the biggest positive impact on those you coached? Were there any specific activities that stand out as having been impactful?Have you had any big “a-ha” about yourself as a coach? Tell the story of one of those moments. Identify a time when you were demonstrating a core value, when you were really living into it. What happened? What did it feel like? What did that moment teach you about yourself? What have you learned about what you need in order to thrive as a professional? Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

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 Up01:57 Benefits of Taking a Coaching Stance03:34 Personal Experiences with Coaching Up04:56 Challenges and Possibilities of Coaching Up06:04 Final Thoughts and EncouragementKeep learning: Join the Coach Learning Library and PLC to access the End of Year Conversations With Admin Skill Session (and 47 additional sessions + monthly live PLC!) Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: Have you experienced a conversation where you think it would be helpful to “coach up?”If you have, place yourself back in that situation. What is one coaching tool or sentence stem that you can see retroactively you could have used to make that conversation feel more productive or hopeful for you? Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

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 Preparing for End-of-Year Conversations02:31 Role Play Demonstration Setup04:31 Jumping into the Conversation05:46 Reflecting on Growth and Achievements08:18 Sharing Success Stories11:45 Shifting Beliefs and Teaching Practices17:54 Addressing Challenges and Regrets19:56 Conclusion and ResourcesKeep learning: Join the Coach Learning Library and PLC to access the End of Year Conversations with Clients (and 47 additional sessions + monthly live PLC!) The First 10 Minutes (free tool) Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: How is this conversation similar or different from the ones you have been a part of in the past? What is one question you want to try in your conversations? Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

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 Challenges01:25 Facilitating End-of-Year Reflections03:15 Probing for Insights and Recognizing Growth03:40 Sharing Observations with Clients04:47 Conclusion and Additional ResourcesKeep learning: Join the Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC to access the Gathering Data and Reflecting on Your Client's Growth Skill Session (and 47 additional sessions + monthly live PLC!) Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: Do you have a client who has failed to make meaningful progress towards their goals? If so, what is your hypothesis for why that is?If you have a client who has failed to make meaningful growth toward their goals, in what areas have they grown? Be as specific as possible.  Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

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 Emotions01:52 Role Play Demonstration Setup04:01 Starting the Role Play Conversation04:43 Exploring Emotions and Their Impact09:05 Reflecting on Emotional Awareness18:26 Shifting to the Agenda and Debrief18:38 How to Continue Learning Keep learning: Join the Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC to access the Core Emotions Skill Session (and 47 additional sessions + monthly live PLC!) Attend Elena's Coaching for Resilience and Retention workshop to learn how to skillfully guide your clients through challenging moments Core Emotions (free tool) The First 10 Minutes (free tool) Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: How comfortable and confident are you with coaching emotions? Elena shared that most of the time, people share that they don't want to make someone else uncomfortable; what they're really afraid of is their own discomfort. Does this apply to you? What is one thing you heard Elena do that you would like to try on in your next conversation? Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

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 Intentions04:37 Transformational Coaching Dispositions11:19 Affirmations for the Five DispositionsKeep learning: Join the Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC to access the Transformational Coaching Dispositions Skill Session (and 47 additional sessions + monthly live PLC!) Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching, Chapter 2 for more about the dispositions of a Transformational Coach Attend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop to cultivate your coaching abilities and way of being Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: What dispositions come most naturally to you?What dispositions are more challenging for you?What is one step you want to take after listening to this episode? Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

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 Present02:31 Defining Presence07:35 Strategies for Cultivating Presence10:26 Resources and Final ThoughtsKeep learning: Join the Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC to access the Returning to Presence Skill Session (and 47 additional sessions + monthly live PLC!) Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching, Chapter 4 for more concrete strategies for returning to presenceAttend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop to cultivate your coaching abilities and way of being Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: What does it feel like for you when you are in a state of presence?What is a situation recently when you were pulled from presence? How did you know? Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

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 Listening11:10 Role Play Demonstration: Expansive Listening22:09 Conclusion and ResourcesKeep learning: Join the Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC to access the Expansive Listening Skill Session (and 47 additional sessions + monthly live PLC!) Listening to Your Listening (free tool) Attend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop The First 10 Minutes Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: Which of the two demonstrations felt most similar to your current approach? What underlying beliefs and ways of being contributed to the two different approaches? What is one move Elena made that you would like to try on in an upcoming conversation? Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

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 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 episode is for you if: Your conversations are feeling a little flat Your coachee is more compliant than actively engaged  You'd like to learn a new way to open your coaching conversations You like concrete coaching tools! Keep learning: Join the Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC for on-demand micro-learning at your fingertips Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usPodcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

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 the curtain on why this question works and shares some wisdom on how to artfully put this into action. This episode is for you if: Your coachees are feeling powerless or deflated You'd like to learn a new way to open your coaching conversations You like concrete coaching tools! Keep learning: Join the Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC for on-demand micro-learning at your fingertips Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usPodcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

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 question works and shares some wisdom on how to artfully put this into action. This episode is for you if: Your coachees are drained and/or overwhelmed and working from limited resilience reserves You'd like to learn a new way to open your coaching conversations You like concrete coaching tools! Keep learning: Join the Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC for on-demand micro-learning at your fingertips Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usPodcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

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 episode is for you if: Your coachees are drained and/or overwhelmed and working from limited resilience reserves You'd like to learn a new way to open your coaching conversations You like concrete coaching tools! Keep learning: Join the Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC for on-demand micro-learning at your fingertips Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usPodcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

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 Setup03:35 Feedback on Lesson Plans07:15 Reflecting on Independent Work10:02 Planning and Tracking Student Progress16:37 Engaging Students in Their Learning20:50 Final Thoughts and Next Steps Keep learning: Join our Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC and learn everything you need to know about incorporating Transformational Coaching strategies into common instructional coaching supports like providing feedback on lesson plans or co-planning. You'll also find a video recording of this coaching demonstration and a debrief where Elena shares the thinking behind her coaching moves.  The First 10 Minutes (tool)Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching to build your coaching toolkit Attend The Art of Transformational Coaching Workshop to grow your coaching skills Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: How was this conversation similar to or different from how you approach providing lesson plan feedback?What coaching moves did you hear Elena make that would build trust and agency with her coaching client?What is one thing you want to take from this conversation and try on in your coaching practice? Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

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 Play05:56 Exploring Beliefs and Emotions14:03 Shifting Perspectives and Finding Solutions26:07 Reflecting on the Coaching Session27:28 Continued Learning and Resources Keep learning: Join our Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC and learn everything you need to know about using Student Surveys with your clients. Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching to build your coaching toolkit Attend The Art of Transformational Coaching Workshop to grow your coaching skills Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: What Transformational Coaching strategies did you hear Elena utilize in this conversation? Elena said in the beginning that she wasn't going to try to get Antoinette to change her beliefs. What do you think the impact was of this approach?What “a has!” or wonderings are you leaving this demonstration with? Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

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: 00:38 Episode Overview and Role Play Setup02:35 Meet Kina: The Coaching Conversation Begins04:32 Exploring Strategies for Proficient Writers08:06 Deepening the Learning Process13:40 Reflecting on Coaching and Teaching Practices17:43 Implementing New Strategies and Building Community26:38 Final Reflections and Conversation Next Steps37:24 Conclusion and ResourcesKeep learning: Join our Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC and learn everything you need to know about using Student Surveys with your clients. Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching to build your coaching toolkit Attend The Art of Transformational Coaching Workshop to grow your coaching skills Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review us

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 Students03:03 Step-by-Step Guide to Working with Focal Students08:26 Ways to Continue Learning Keep learning: Join our Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC and learn everything you need to know about using Student Surveys with your clients. Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching to build your coaching toolkit Attend The Art of Transformational Coaching Workshop to grow your coaching skills Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: Have you utilized focal students in your coaching practice? Why or why not? Do you have a teacher you think could benefit from working with a focal student? If so, what outcomes would you hope from this strategy? What questions or wonderings do you have about this strategy? Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

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 Tool01:03 Case Study: Coaching David03:04 The Concept of a Third Point in Coaching06:01 Benefits of Using Surveys in Coaching08:40 Addressing Concerns About Surveys10:02 Resources for Continued LearningKeep learning: Join our Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC and learn everything you need to know about using Student Surveys with your clients. Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching to build your coaching toolkit Attend The Art of Transformational Coaching Workshop to grow your coaching skills Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: Are student surveys something you've integrated into your coaching practice? If not, what's held you back? If so, what was your experience? Do you have a client who is struggling to connect with students who you think utilizing student surveys would benefit? If so, what is the first step you want to take to make this happen? Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

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 Demonstration04:12 Exploring Emotions and Reactions09:41 Considering Next Steps and Solutions15:20 Final Thoughts and AcknowledgementsKeep learning: Join our Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC and learn everything you need to know about taking a confrontational stance with your clients. You'll also find a video recording of this coaching demonstration and a debrief where Elena shares the thinking behind her coaching moves.  The First 10 Minutes (tool)Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching to build your coaching toolkit Attend The Art of Transformational Coaching Workshop to grow your coaching skills Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: What comes to mind for you when considering taking a confrontational stance? How did Elena's demonstration confirm or challenge the ideas you had? What is one thing you want to try in an upcoming conversation? Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

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 Setup02:11 First Roleplay: Assessing Trust 10:27 Second Roleplay: Addressing Trust Issues18:30 Conclusion and Ways to Keep Learning Keep learning: Join our Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC and learn everything you need to know about conducting a trust check-in with your clients. You'll also find a video recording of these coaching demonstrations and a debriefs where Elena shares the thinking behind her coaching moves.  Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching to build your coaching toolkit Attend The Art of Transformational Coaching Workshop to grow your coaching skills Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: What is one thing that surprised you in Elena's coaching demonstrations? What is one thing you want to bring into an upcoming coaching conversation? What is one thing you learned about Transformational Coaching as a result of listening to these demonstrations? Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

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 Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC and learn everything you need to know about using the Conscious Competence Ladder with your clients. You'll also find a video recording of this coaching demonstration and a debrief where Elena shares the thinking behind her coaching moves.  The First 10 Minutes (tool)Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching to build your coaching toolkit Attend The Art of Transformational Coaching Workshop to grow your coaching skills Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: Have you used a “third point” tool in your coaching? If so, what is your experience with it?Transformational Coaches always start with themselves. Where are you on the Conscious Competence framework with different elements of your coaching? How does it feel to locate yourself? Do you have a client you would like to introduce the Conscious Competence with? How do you anticipate they might respond? Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

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 free downloadable resource Listen to Episode 105: Morning RitualsAttend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: Review the Core Human Needs downloadable resource. Reflect: Which of these needs feels most satisfied in your life right now? What does that look like and feel like?How do you think your life might be different if these needs were met?Which of these needs do you feel most called to explore? Why are you drawn to that need?How could you begin to explore this need? How could you explore your personal history with this need?Which actions could you take to explore getting the need met? What's one thing you could do today to take one tiny step towards meeting this need?

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 your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: What do you need from your time away from work? How do you want to feel when you return? Imagine yourself in 20 year. What do you think your future self would want you to do with this time away? What would they tell you to start/stop/keep doing? Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.

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 Play16:42 Debriefing the Role Play22:38 Final Thoughts and ResourcesKeep learning: Free tool: The First 10 Minutes of a Coaching ConversationJoin our Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC and learn everything you need to know about closing out the calendar year with your clients. You'll also find a video recording of this coaching demonstration! Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching Attend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshopReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram & LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn & InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: What coaching moves did you hear Elena make that built trust? What was one thing you heard Elena do that you would like to try in your coaching conversations?What is one question you're left with after listening to this episode? Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

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 Setup02:55 Part 1: Introducing the Feedback Survey04:54 Part 1 Reflection07:55 Part 2: Transitioning to Feedback Acknowledgment10:39 Reflecting on New Beliefs14:23 Part 2: Roleplay Reflection15:36 How to Continue Growing Your Skills in This Area 16:55 Closing Remarks and AcknowledgementsKeep learning: Subscribe to our Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC to learn everything you need to know about soliciting feedback from clients, including Elena's feedback surveyRead Chapter 15 of Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching for more on evaluating the impact of your coaching conversations The First 10 Minutes (free tool)Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram & LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn & InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: What has been your experience with feedback? Have you explicitly solicited feedback from your coaching clients (or direct reports)? Why or why not?What did Elena's model and Cary's reflection prompt you to want to do or do differently moving forward? Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

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 Administrator02:12 Discussing Classroom Observations04:51 Balancing Confidentiality and Support16:01 Debriefing the Role Play21:21 Resources for CoachesOpportunities for continued learning: Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC: December Skill Session Updating Admin on a Struggling Teacher  Attend a The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop with Elena Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching Become a Bright Morning Member Become a Friend of the Podcast  Reflection questions: What did Elena do prior to this conversation that allowed it to be successful? What understandings regarding confidentiality are in place between coach and admin in your organization?What questions or next steps does this conversation prompt for you? Follow Elena on Instagram & LinkedIn.Follow Bright Morning on Instagram & LinkedInReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox!Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode TranscriptBE SURE TO RATE AND REVIEW US!

The easiest thing you can do to improve your coaching conversations is to incorporate reflection. In this fan-favorite episode replay, Elena shares the three questions you need to engage in a 10-minute post-coaching conversation reflection that will supercharge your learning. Keep learning: Join the Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC to gain access to Reflecting on a Coaching Conversation and 47 additional Skill SessionsAttend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: When will you block 10 minutes in your day to engage in this learning reflection? In addition to the three questions Elena shared, are there additional questions you would like to add? If intentional reflection is a new addition to your practice, why are you invested in making the time and space to add this in? [Tip: having a clear “why” will make you more likely to not schedule over this time.] Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

The winter holidays can include many things: time with family, a break from work…and maybe some casual racism over dinner. In today's episode, Elena provides a quick overview of her What to Say When You Hear Something Racist framework. This is the content you need for the most essential holiday prep: preparing to disrupt racism. Note: this episode is a timely replay from our What to Say When You Hear Something Racist series. Keep learning: What to Say When You Hear Something Racist (Podcast series + companion guide)Coaching for Equity (book by Elena Aguilar) Coaching for Equity (Bright Morning workshop) Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usPodcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

In this replay of a fan-favorite episode, Elena shares a minute-by-minute breakdown of how you should spend the five minutes before you walk into a meeting where you will be coaching. These five steps provide you with the greatest potential for that meeting to be transformative for both yourself and your client. Keep learning: Join the Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC to gain access to Planning for a Coaching Conversation and 47 additional Skill SessionsAttend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: How do you currently prepare for your coaching conversations? Which element(s) of your current practice serve you well? Elena provided five steps to take in the five minutes before your coaching conversations. Are any of these steps a part of your current practice? Were any of these steps surprising? What can you do consistently to carve out the 5+ minutes necessary to prepare yourself to coach? Tip: Get as specific as possible. For example, is there a specific place where you can capture your pre-meeting routine? Are you someone who benefits from accountability and wants to create a tracking system? Is there a location you can consistently return to that would assist in habit formation? Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

How do you kindle a sense of power and agency in your client when they are feeling deflated or overwhelmed?  In this fan-favorite replay episode of our special four-part First 5 Minutes series, Elena will walk you through how to do just that with one question that opens up your next coaching conversation. 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 episode is for you if: Your clients are feeling powerless or deflated You'd like to learn a new way to open your coaching conversations You like concrete coaching tools! Keep learning: Join the Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC to gain access to 48 additional Skill Sessions that tackle the most essential coaching challenges Attend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usPodcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

We spend most of our waking hours at work. With that level of investment, we better make sure that what we're doing is working, but too often, we just hope for the best. In this episode, Elena demonstrates how to effectively lead a feedback conversation with an administrator. It also includes a debrief discussing the conversation's dynamics and the significance of vulnerability. Elena also shares what she wishes she would have done with more challenging coach/admin relationships in the past.  Notable moments: 00:47 Setting the Stage: Role Play Context02:29 Jumping into the Role Play04:20 Positive Feedback Highlights06:43 Addressing Critical Feedback12:25 Reflecting on Feedback and Moving Forward14:44 Debrief and Insights25:28 Final Thoughts and TakeawaysKeep learning:  Join our Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC and learn everything you need to know about soliciting feedback from your admin and your clients. You'll also find a video recording of this coaching demonstration! Free tool: The First 10 Minutes of a Coaching ConversationAttend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop Read Arise: The Art of Transformational CoachingReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedIn Follow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show: Become a Friend of the Podcast   Rate and review usReflection questions: Have you solicited feedback from your admin? If so, how did it compare to Elena's approach? If not, what has held you back?During the debrief, Elena discussed the power of narrating your emotions during feedback conversations. Have you tried this before, or would you be willing to try it? What is one lingering question you have after listening to this demonstration and debrief? Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.   Episode Transcript

How do you coach emotions with a client who doesn't want to talk about their emotions? That's what you'll learn in this episode. In just ten minutes, Elena skillfully supports her “client” to consider the anger he's experiencing with his administrators in a new light. At the end of the conversation, Elena will share why she made the moves she made and why they work. Notable moments: 01:01 Introduction to Today's Coaching Demonstration03:37 Identifying the Client's Frustrations and Challenges05:00 Exploring Emotions and Strategies12:25 Debriefing the Role Play20:26 Final Thoughts and TakeawaysKeep learning: Join the Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC to gain access to Beyond ACE Emotions and 47 additional Skill SessionsAttend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching Chapters 7 and 8 for more guidance on how to coach emotions Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: What coaching moves did you observe Elena make that built trust with her client? What insights or questions did this demonstration and debrief raise for you? How would you describe Elena's way of being as a coach in this conversation? How did that impact the outcome of the conversation? Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

What do you do when a client continues to cancel their meetings with you? That's what you'll learn in this episode. Elena demonstrates practical strategies through three role-playing scenarios with Cary, a former teacher. This episode is a must-listen for coaches seeking to enhance their confidence and effectiveness in building productive client relationships.Notable moments: 02:20 Scenario 1: New Teacher Struggles11:19 Scenario 2: Fourth-Year Teacher Overwhelm21:51 Scenario 3: Resistance to Coaching28:16 Final Thoughts and DebriefOpportunities for continued learning: Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC: October Skill Session When You're Not Clicking With a Client  Attend a The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop with Elena Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching Become a Bright Morning Member Become a Friend of the Podcast  Reflection questions: Which coaching moves did you hear Elena make in each of these three situations? What questions or ideas are you taking away from this episode? Which of the three scenarios would be the most challenging for you to coach? Why is that? What is one step you could take this week to prepare yourself to navigate this more confidently? Follow Elena on Instagram & LinkedIn. Follow Bright Morning on Instagram & LinkedIn.Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox!Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode TranscriptBE SURE TO RATE AND REVIEW US!

Elena coaches a teacher experiencing frustration after a failed family night in her classroom. She introduces the Gaps Framework to support the teacher in identifying what gaps might have contributed to the disappointing experience, considering both the families and the teacher's potential needs. The Gaps Framework is designed to expand perspective and identify potential pathways forward, empowering teachers to tackle their areas for growth. Mentioned on this episode: Become a Friend of the PodcastThe Gaps Framework (free tool)Opportunities for continued learning:Become a Bright Morning Member Read Arise: The Art of Transformational CoachingLearning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC: October Skill Session Introducing The Gaps Framework in ConversationAttend a The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop with ElenaReflection questions: If you have used the Gaps Framework with coaching clients before, how was your introduction and use similar and different from Elena's?If you haven't used the Gaps Framework with coaching clients before, what would you need to feel confident doing so?Elena had her client start by diagnosing the gaps families might be experiencing. Why do you think she took this approach?Follow Elena on Instagram & LinkedIn. Follow Bright Morning on Instagram & LinkedIn.Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox!Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode TranscriptBE SURE TO RATE AND REVIEW US!

Running short on time in your coaching conversations? This episode is for you. Elena, playing the role of a school-based coach, demonstrates how to deftly navigate through the three phases of a coaching conversation—beginning, middle, and end—using skills from her “Arc of a Coaching Conversation” Skill Session. Set your timer and listen in to learn how to open and close your meetings in just five minutes. Notable Moments:00:00 Introduction to the Bright Morning Podcast00:56 Demonstration Setup: Coaching Conversation Phases02:30 Role-Playing the Opening of the Coaching Conversation09:46 Debriefing the Role-Play15:52 Role-Playing the Closing of the Coaching Conversation23:20 Final Thoughts and ResourcesOpportunities for continued learning: Become a Bright Morning MemberRead Arise: The Art of Transformational CoachingLearning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC: September Skill Session “The Arc of a Coaching Conversation”Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC: Coaching Demonstration Vault.Watch coaching demonstrations, including a full video of the conversation heard in this episode, as well as an alternative version where Elena navigates a client who is emotionally activated and doesn't want to transition to the next phase of the coaching conversationAttend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop with ElenaBecome a Friend of the PodcastReflection questions:What moves did Elena make to build trust and connection between her and her client?What moves did you hear Elena make that built teacher agency?How did this demonstration compare to how you open and close your conversations?Follow Elena on Instagram & LinkedIn and Bright Morning on Instagram & LinkedInReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox!Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode TranscriptBE SURE TO RATE AND REVIEW US!

If you're leading classroom observations, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Elena, playing the role of school-based coach, demonstrates how to navigate a client resistant to a classroom observation early in the year.This coaching demonstration is an extension of our “Preparing for Your First Observation” Skill Session in the Learning Library. Learn more below.Notable moments:00:29 Setting Up the Coaching Demonstration02:38 Starting the Coaching Conversation03:13 Addressing Nervousness and Concerns05:02 Exploring the Benefits of Observation16:10 Debriefing the Coaching Session20:38 Resources for CoachesOpportunities for continued learning:The First 10 Minutes of Your Coaching Conversation (free tool)Read Arise: The Art of Transformational CoachingLearning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC: September Skill Session “Preparing for Your First Observation”Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC: Coaching Demonstration Vault.Watch coaching demonstrations, including a full video of the conversation heard in this episodeAttend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop with ElenaBecome a Bright Morning MemberBecome a Friend of the Podcast Reflection questions: What coaching moves did you hear Elena make in this conversation?What is one coaching move you would like to try in your next coaching conversation?Elena explicitly states that she is nudging her client to proceed with the observation. What was your reaction to this level of transparency? Is this something you do/would do in your coaching conversations?Follow Elena on Instagram & LinkedIn and Bright Morning on Instagram & LinkedInReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox!Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode TranscriptBE SURE TO RATE AND REVIEW US!

Elena demonstrates how to facilitate an impactful getting-to-know-you portion of a coaching conversation. Playing the role of a school-based coach working with a new coaching client, she models how to integrate a client's core values into the discussion, learn more about their past experience, and set the tone for openness and connection. And she does it all in less than 15 minutes.  Mentioned on this episode: Become a Friend of the Podcast  Opportunities for continued learning: Become a Bright Morning Member Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC: September Skill Session “Getting to Know Your Clients”  Attend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop with Elena Reflection questions: What moves did you hear Elena make that would contribute to building trust in this relationship? What questions did Elena ask that you would like to use in your getting-to-know-you conversations? What was new or different from what you might have done in conversations similar to this? Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedIn.Follow Bright Morning on Instagram and LinkedInReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox!As a Bright Morning Member, you get a front-row seat to see the process of Transformational Coaching unfold during live coaching demonstrations by our presenters and the training and practice time you need to transform your skills and impact. Support us by becoming a Friend of the Show! Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode TranscriptLISTEN WHEREVER YOU FIND PODCASTS – AND BE SURE TO RATE AND REVIEW US!

In this episode, Elena (playing the role of school-based coach) and Mike (playing the role of her admin) explore the introduction of a new coaching model within a school district. They discuss the definition and goals of coaching, teacher development strategies, and the implementation of PD cycles. The conversation highlights the importance of aligning coaching with broader school priorities. Key topics include the balance between maintaining confidentiality in coaching relationships, ensuring effective monitoring and evaluation, and fostering a supportive environment for both novice and veteran teachers. The discussion also touches on the need for clear measures of success for the coach and the importance of aligning coaching strategies with desired student outcomes to create positive, intentional, and strategic impacts in the school community. At the end of the conversation, Elena and Mike “pull back the curtain” and share their reflections. Mentioned on this episode: Become a Friend of the Podcast  Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC Opportunities for continued learning: Become a Bright Morning member Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC: “Partnering with Admin” Skill Session. In ~35 minutes, Elena teaches you what you need to know and provides the resources you need to operate with shared expectations from day one. Reflection questions: What ideas did this conversation spark about what you need to discuss with your admin? What parts of this conversation reinforced your understanding of what is required for a strong coach/admin relationship? Were there parts of this conversation that raised questions for you that signal you need to learn more? What next step(s) might you take? Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedIn.Follow Bright Morning on Instagram and LinkedInReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox!Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode TranscriptLISTEN WHEREVER YOU FIND PODCASTS – AND BE SURE TO RATE AND REVIEW US!

The number one way to make every conversation count is to have a clearly defined coaching goal that matters for students that you and your client are aligned on. In this episode, Elena, playing the role of school-based coach, demonstrates how to lead a conversation with a client where you move from a school-wide directive to a specific goal that motivates an individual client.This coaching demonstration is an extension of our Determining Your Coaching Focus/Goals skill session in the Learning Library. Learn more below.Opportunities for continued learning: The First 10 Minutes of Your Coaching Conversation (free tool) Become a Bright Morning Member Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC: September Skill Session “Determining Your Coaching Focus/Goals”  Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC: Coaching Demonstration VaultWatch coaching demonstrations, including a full video of the conversation heard in this episodeAttend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop with Elena Become a Friend of the Podcast Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedIn. follow Bright Morning on Instagram and LinkedIn. and receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox!Become a Bright Morning Member!Support us by becoming a Friend of the Show! Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode TranscriptLISTEN WHEREVER YOU FIND PODCASTS – AND BE SURE TO RATE AND REVIEW US!

The beginning of the school year is the ideal time to ground yourself in who you want and need to be in your role this year. Elena provides two exercises to help coaches and school leaders start the year with the clarity they need to thrive. Mentioned on this episode: Become a Friend of the Podcast  Learning Library membership Opportunities for continued learning: Become a Bright Morning Member “Crafting Your Personal Vision” Skill Session (Learning Library)Join Elena at an in-person The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop (through Fall ‘24)Reflection questions: What kind of specific outcomes, results, or data would indicate that you were an effective coach/leader/fill-in-the-blank this year?Who do the people you support need you to be this year? What analogy aligns most with who you want and need to be this year?Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedIn  Follow Bright Morning on Instagram and LinkedInReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox!Support us by becoming a Friend of the Show! Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content.If you would like to support the show and enable us to invest additional resources into providing more polished transcripts, you can do so by becoming a Friend of the Show.  Episode TranscriptLISTEN WHEREVER YOU FIND PODCASTS – AND BE SURE TO RATE AND REVIEW US!

Unclear expectations are a recipe for resentment. Elena shares how coaches and admin can align from day zero and the six things to cover in a beginning-of-the-year meeting. Mentioned on this episode: Become a Friend of the Podcast  Learning Library membership Opportunities for continued learning: Become a Bright Morning Member Join Elena at an in-person The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop (through Fall ‘24)Reflection questions: Who do you want to be in your beginning-of-the-year coach/admin conversation? What do you need to know by the end of your beginning-of-the-year coach/admin conversation? What feels hard about having this conversation? What feels easy? Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedIn.Follow Bright Morning on Instagram and LinkedInReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox!As a Bright Morning Member, you get a front-row seat to see the process of Transformational Coaching unfold during live coaching demonstrations by our presenters and the training and practice time you need to transform your skills and impact. Support us by becoming a Friend of the Show! Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode TranscriptLISTEN WHEREVER YOU FIND PODCASTS – AND BE SURE TO RATE AND REVIEW US!

Trying to do all the things is a recipe for burnout. Elena shares considerations for how to create a weekly schedule that sets you up to thrive as a Transformational Coach.  Mentioned on this episode: Become a Friend of the Podcast  Learning Library membership Opportunities for continued learning: Become a Bright Morning Member Join Elena at an in-person The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop (through Fall ‘24)Reflection questions: Do you have a weekly schedule? If not, what is holding you back? If so, does it prioritize the most high-leverage activities?What questions would you need to get answered to have a weekly schedule you feel confident in? Who has those answers?Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedIn.Follow Bright Morning on Instagram and LinkedIn Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox!As a Bright Morning Member, you get a front-row seat to see the process of Transformational Coaching unfold during live coaching demonstrations by our presenters and the training and practice time you need to transform your skills and impact.Support us by becoming a Friend of the Show! Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode TranscriptLISTEN WHEREVER YOU FIND PODCASTS – AND BE SURE TO RATE AND REVIEW US!

The way you introduce yourself to your clients sets the tone for your work together. Elena shares four options to consider and the pros and cons of each. Mentioned on this episode: Join Elena at an in-person The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop (through Fall ‘24)Become a Friend of the Podcast  Learning Library membership Opportunities for continued learning: Become a Bright Morning Member Reflection questions: How have you introduced yourself to clients in the past? What was successful about that approach? What would you like to adjust?Of the four options Elena provided for introducing yourself, which are you drawn to? Why is that? Who could review your introduction and provide feedback? Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedIn.Follow Bright Morning on Instagram and LinkedInReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox!As a Bright Morning Member, you get a front-row seat to see the process of Transformational Coaching unfold during live coaching demonstrations by our presenters and the training and practice time you need to transform your skills and impact.Support us by becoming a Friend of the Show! Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode TranscriptLISTEN WHEREVER YOU FIND PODCASTS – AND BE SURE TO RATE AND REVIEW US!

In this episode, Elena demonstrates how to coach a new teacher struggling with classroom culture and not consistently following through with the next steps from their coaching conversations. This is the final episode of our four-part series on how to coach behaviors. But as all Transformational Coaches know, behaviors stem from beliefs, so you'll also get a masterclass on coaching beliefs! Mentioned on this episode: Become a Friend of the Podcast  Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching Attend an in-person workshop with Elena (through October 2024) The Gaps Framework (coaching tool) Opportunities for continued learning: Become a Bright Morning Member Attend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop with Elena! Reflection questions: What about Elena's coaching resonated with you and your current coaching practice?What about Elena's approach sparked ideas or questions? Elena says the art of coaching is the art of nudging without leaving bruises. When did you hear this approach at play during this coaching conversation? Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedIn.Follow Bright Morning on Instagram and LinkedIn (we also have accounts on Facebook and Twitter) Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox!As a Bright Morning Member, you get a front-row seat to see the process of Transformational Coaching unfold during live coaching demonstrations by our presenters and the training and practice time you need to transform your skills and impact.Support us by becoming a Friend of the Show! Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode TranscriptLISTEN WHEREVER Y

This is the fourth in a series of five episodes on coaching beliefs. Elena introduces the Teacher-to-Student Interaction Tracking Tool, explains how to utilize it in your observations, and offers a slew of tips that will help you successfully leverage this tool with your coaching clients. Mentioned on this episode: Become a Friend of the Podcast  Pre-order Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching Claim your pre-order bonuses (until July 2024)Attend an in-person workshop with Elena (through October 2024)Teacher-to-Student Interactions: Tracking Tool (free toolBecome a Bright Morning Member Reflection questions: Do you currently use a teacher-to-student interaction tracking tool? If so, what was affirming or thought-provoking about what Elena shared in this episode? If you don't, what did you learn in this episode that you might want to incorporate into your practice? How would you introduce using the teacher-to-student interaction tool to your clients? How do you hope this will support your coaching conversations? What are 2-3 questions you would want someone to ask you after sharing the results from this type of tracking tool? What would those questions allow you to do? Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedIn and Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox!As a Bright Morning Member, you get a front-row seat to see the process of Transformational Coaching unfold during live coaching demonstrations by our presenters and the training and practice time you need to transform your skills and impact.Support us by becoming a Friend of the Show! Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode TranscriptBE SURE TO RATE AND REVIEW US!

This is the third in a series of five episodes on coaching behaviors. Elena provides an overview of how to use her “Gaps Framework” coaching tool, which prevents us from slipping into fix-it mode and helps you identify the needs of your coaching client(s). Mentioned on this episode: Become a Friend of the Podcast  Pre-order Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching Claim your pre-order bonuses (until July 2024)Attend an in-person workshop with Elena (through October 2024)Mind the Gap: Identifying Learning Needs (free tool)Using the Gaps in Conversation  (exclusive free tool)Become a Bright Morning Member Reflection questions: Think about a recent coaching conversation…How hard or easy is it for you to refrain from jumping to a fix-it mode in your coaching conversations? Thinking through “The Gaps Framework”, which gap(s) did your client struggle with the most? How did you know? Getting fluent with any tool requires practice. What is your community of practice? If you don't have one, what is the first step to finding one? Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedIn, and  Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox!As a Bright Morning Member, you get a front-row seat to see the process of Transformational Coaching unfold during live coaching demonstrations by our presenters and the training and practice time you need to transform your skills and impact. Support us by becoming a Friend of the Show! Podcast Transcript and Use: Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode TranscriptBE SURE TO RATE AND REVIEW US!

This is the second in a series of five episodes on coaching behaviors. Elena shares how she prepared for her coaching conversations, including how the coaching stances impact her planning and approach. Mentioned on this episode: Become a Friend of the Podcast  Pre-order Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching Claim your pre-order bonuses (until July 2024)Attend an in-person workshop with Elena (through October 2024)Episode 179: What You Need to Know About Taking Notes During Your Coaching ConversationsCoaching Stances and Sentence Stems (free tool) Opportunities for continued learning: Become a Bright Morning Member Reflection questions: Think of three coaching clients. For each, consider which types of coaching stances/questions result in shifts in their behaviors.  Review the notes from your past three coaching conversations. What insights do you have about the types of questions and stances you take frequently? What stances would you like to take more of? What are 1-3 coaching stances and sentence stems you would like to use in your next coaching conversations? Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedIn.Follow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox!As a Bright Morning Member, you get a front-row seat to see the process of Transformational Coaching unfold during live coaching demonstrations by our presenters and the training and practice time you need to transform your skills and impact.Support us by becoming a Friend of the Show! Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode TranscriptBE SURE TO RATE AND REVIEW US!