Coaching Conversations with Jim Knight

Jim Knight and Jessica Wise dig into the art of giving and receiving effective feedback in instructional coaching and leadership. They explore how empathy, self-awareness, and a partnership approach can transform feedback conversations from uncomfortable moments into opportunities for real growth.Through personal stories and practical strategies, Jim and Jessica discuss ways coaches and leaders can make feedback more collaborative and meaningful using tools like video, data, and reflective dialogue to support professional learning. They also talk about how context matters, why feedback should never feel like top-down advice, and how strong coaching relationships create space for honest reflection.The conversation highlights a core idea at the heart of instructional coaching: feedback works best when it’s grounded in partnership, focused on improvement, and centered on doing what’s best for students.Thank you for being a part of our community.Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a rating or comment to let us know what you think.Stay Connected: Follow our podcast for more episodes packed with insights and inspiration.Learn more about the Data Rules workshop:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/data-rules/Learn more about the Teaching Leading Coaching (TLC) 2026 Conference:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/2026-tlc-conference/

In this special “Learning from Experience” episode of Coaching Conversations, host Jessica Wise speaks with Mina Ibrahim, an educational leader from Egypt. Mina describes his path from engineering to founding an all-girls school and later serving as an instructional coach. His story illustrates the complex balance between leadership authority and the partnership principles that guide effective coaching.Throughout the conversation, Mina reflects on the importance of thoughtful pacing, the disciplined use of data, and the creation of psychologically safe environments where teachers feel respected and supported in their learning. He highlights the role of deep listening, the willingness to unlearn long-held assumptions, and the need to keep students at the center of every coaching conversation.Thank you for being a part of our community.Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a rating or comment to let us know what you think.Stay Connected: Follow our podcast for more episodes packed with insights and inspiration.Learn more about the Intensive Instructional Coaching Institute:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/in-person-intensive-instructional-coaching-institute/

Jim Knight and Jessica Wise explore the critical process of enrolling teachers in instructional coaching cycles, discussing the importance of building trust, respecting teachers' autonomy, and using one-on-one conversations to foster engagement. They share practical enrollment strategies, highlight the significance of supportive leadership, and emphasize that coaching should be seen as a partnership for professional growth; not a punitive measure. In this episode, you'll gain actionable advice on relationship-building, gradual engagement, and creating a positive coaching culture within schools.Thank you for being a part of our community.Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a rating or comment to let us know what you think.Stay Connected: Follow our podcast for more episodes packed with insights and inspiration.Learn more about the Intensive Instructional Coaching Institute:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/in-person-intensive-instructional-coaching-institute/Learn more about the Teaching Leading Coaching (TLC) 2026 Conference:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/2026-tlc-conference/

Jim Knight welcomes back author of You're Not Listening, Kate Murphy, for a thoughtful exploration of interpersonal synchrony and its influence on coaching and human connection. Drawing on research and lived experience, they examine how people align with one another at neural, physiological, and behavioral levels, and why that alignment matters.Together, they unpack the role of self-awareness, emotional regulation, and intentional presence in building trust and fostering meaningful dialogue. Their conversation connects science to practice, offering practical strategies coaches can use to cultivate empathy and deepen conversations.Thank you for being a part of our community.Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a rating or comment to let us know what you think.Stay Connected: Follow our podcast for more episodes packed with insights and inspiration.Learn more about our Evaluating Instructional Coaching workshop:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/evaluating-instructional-coaching/

We’re excited to introduce a new segment of the Coaching Conversations podcast: Learning from Experience with Dr. Jessica Wise.In this first conversation, Jessica sits down with Beth, an instructional coach from rural Colorado with 21 years in education. Beth reflects on her journey from the classroom into coaching, the realities of supporting two small schools, and what it means to build authentic, trusting relationships with teachers.She shares how the Impact Cycle workshop shaped her coaching practice, the role of reflection and partnership in teacher growth, and why effective coaching leaves a lasting imprint on both educators and students. At the heart of the conversation is a reminder of the deeply human work of education and the quiet, powerful influence of coaching done well. Thank you for being a part of our community.Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a rating or comment to let us know what you think.Stay Connected: Follow our podcast for more episodes packed with insights and inspiration.Learn more about our High Impact Instruction workshop:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/high-impact-instruction/Learn more about the Teaching Leading Coaching (TLC) 2026 Conference:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/2026-tlc-conference/

This week we have a special episode with Jim Knight and Christian van Nieuwerburgh about their 20-day trek along Nepal's Annapurna Circuit. They share stories from the trail—the stunning landscapes, the physical and mental challenges, and the moments when they weren't sure they could keep going. Along the way, they reflect on what the experience taught them about growth, gratitude, and what it means to say "yes" to something hard. They also talk about teamwork, the parallels between coaching and guiding, and how travel can shift the way we see the world. The episode wraps up with thoughts on embracing discomfort, staying connected to others, and carrying lessons of resilience, service, and hope into daily life.Thank you for being a part of our community.Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a rating or comment to let us know what you think.Stay Connected: Follow our podcast for more episodes packed with insights and inspiration.Learn more about our Data Rules workshop:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/data-rules/

Traditional SMART goals in educational coaching often fall short because they focus on what teachers do rather than what students learn. Jim Knight and Jessica Wise explore a different approach: the PEERS framework—goals that are Powerful, Easy, Emotionally Compelling, Reachable, and Student-Focused. This conversation examines why coaching must be adaptive, why genuine commitment matters more than compliance, and what 30 years of instructional coaching research reveals about effective practice. Thank you for being a part of our community.Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a rating or comment to let us know what you think.Stay Connected: Follow our podcast for more episodes packed with insights and inspiration.Learn more about Introduction to Leadership Coaching:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/introduction-to-leadership-coaching/Learn more about Managing Challenging Conversations:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/managing-challenging-conversations/

In this episode of Coaching Conversations, Ignacio Lopez and Jim Knight explore how emotional intelligence shapes the way educators lead and coach in schools, particularly as they continue to navigate the ongoing challenges they've faced since the pandemic. Ignacio, who wrote The EQ Way, walks listeners through the five dimensions of emotional intelligence and offers concrete, practical approaches that leaders and coaches can use right away to deepen empathy, strengthen self-regulation, and help everyone in a school take genuine ownership of their growth. What emerges from the conversation is a clear picture of how emotionally intelligent leadership improves school climate and builds the kind of trust and collaboration that helps teachers feel supported and students thrive.Thank you for being a part of our community.Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a rating or comment to let us know what you think.Stay Connected: Follow our podcast for more episodes packed with insights and inspiration.Learn more about Introduction to Leadership Coaching:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/introduction-to-leadership-coaching/Learn more about Managing Challenging Conversations:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/managing-challenging-conversations/

What is the purpose of coaching?In this episode, Jim Knight reunites with Dr. Haesun Moon, Michael Bungay Stanier, and Dr. Christian van Nieuwerburgh to explore this fundamental question. Together, they examine coaching's role in fostering awareness, enabling real change, and building authentic human connection.The conversation addresses the power of curiosity over advice, the delicate balance between support and autonomy, and how cultural context shapes the coaching relationship. Our guests share practical insights on leading conversations that empower rather than prescribe and why resisting the urge to solve problems is one of the most important things a coach can do.At its core, coaching is a co-creative process rooted in respect, empowerment, and the client's own journey. This episode will challenge how you think about your role as a coach.Thank you for being a part of our community.Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a rating or comment to let us know what you think.Stay Connected: Follow our podcast for more episodes packed with insights and inspiration.Learn more about Introduction to Leadership Coaching:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/introduction-to-leadership-coaching/Learn more about Managing Challenging Conversations:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/managing-challenging-conversations/

This week, I'm welcoming Kim Scott, author of Radical Respect, back to Coaching Conversations. We discuss leadership, communication, and fostering respect at work. Kim explains her concept of "radical respect," emphasizing dignity for all, and offers practical strategies to address bias, prejudice, and bullying. Our conversation covers tools for safe feedback, handling power dynamics, and supporting vulnerable employees. Kim shares actionable tips like using signals to flag microaggressions and preparing for tough conversations to help leaders and teams build psychologically safe, respectful workplaces where everyone can thrive.ResourcesCHAT.RADICALCANDOR.AIhttps://chat.radicalcandor.com/chat/loginhttps://www.bostonreview.net/articles/the-claims-of-close-reading/Thank you for being a part of our community.Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a rating or comment to let us know what you think.Stay Connected: Follow our podcast for more episodes packed with insights and inspiration.Learn more about Introduction to Leadership Coaching:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/introduction-to-leadership-coaching/Learn more about Managing Challenging Conversations:https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/managing-challenging-conversations/