The Bright Morning Podcast with Elena Aguilar

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 Coaching Learning Library & 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: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 Coaching Learning Library & 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: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  Coaching Learning Library & 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)ReadArise: 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: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 Coaching Learning Library & 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: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 Coaching Learning Library and 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: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: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: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: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: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 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!