Join hosts Dave Lipsky and Matt Dodson for an insightful conversation on Leadership: The Secret Sauce with veteran coach Mark Veary, as he unveils the secret sauce behind his impactful coaching approach. With nearly four decades in learning and development and an unconventional start in nursing, Mark shares why true transformation lies in coaching beyond behaviors and results, diving deep into the level of meaning and values.

Discover Mark's fascinating journey of learning this profound philosophy early in his career, losing touch with it amidst corporate demands, and ultimately rediscovering its power. He explains the simple yet potent shift from asking "What do you need to do?" to "Who do you need to be?" and explores the crucial concept of "neutral witnessing" – being present with minimal judgment, a skill honed during his time as a nurse.

Mark also offers a candid look into his specialized work as a Certified Professional Recovery Coach, discussing the unique challenges, rewards, and the vital importance of value-based strengths work (like VIA Strengths) in supporting recovery.

If you're a coach, leader, or anyone interested in facilitating deeper, sustainable change and understanding the power of presence and value-driven coaching, this episode is packed with wisdom.

Don't forget to subscribe for future episodes, and join us as we continue learning from the best in the field.

Connect with Mark: [email protected]

Resources mentioned in this episode:

- VIA Character Strengths: (Searchable online assessment)

- Book: Coach the Person, Not the Problem by Marcia Reynolds

Join us for a thoughtful and energizing conversation with executive coach and author Jude Sclater, as she reveals the secret sauce behind her coaching practice. With a background in audit and L&D at Deloitte and now the founder of Think With Jude, she shares how she helps managers simplify complexity, lead with clarity, and coach their teams with confidence.

Jude opens up about her journey from auditor to executive coach, her unique "Coaching Two-Step" approach, and the inspiration behind her book, Think Like a Coach. She also offers practical insights on helping managers integrate coaching into day-to-day conversations—without needing to become professional coaches themselves. If you're a leader, manager, or coach looking to empower others and create space for real growth, this episode is a must-listen.

Don't forget to subscribe for future episodes, and join us as we continue learning from the best in the field.

Connect with Jude on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judesclater

Learn more about her work: https://www.thinkwithjude.com/

Resources mentioned in this episode:

- Think Like a Coach by Jude Sclater

- The Chimp Paradox by Prof. Steve Peters

- Change Your Questions, Change Your Life by Marilee Adams

- The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier

Join us for an insightful episode as Dave and Matt talk with executive coach Nick Dewar from the UK, as he shares his secret sauce. Nick shares his insights from his experience leading sales teams at Microsoft, Amazon, and Samsung, revealing his unique approach to creating high-performing cultures. If you are interested in unlocking the potential of your team and fostering a collaborative environment, this episode is a must-listen. Don't forget to subscribe to hear forthcoming episodes and learn along with us!

Connect with Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikdewar/

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Coaching for Performance by Sir John Whitmore

The Coach's Casebook by Geoff Watts and Kim Morgan

The Coaching Crowd Podcast by Jo Wheatley and Zoe Hawkins

Deciding to Coach by Jo Wheatley and Zoe Hawkins

In this episode of Leadership: The Secret Sauce, coaching expert Jo Wright shares her insights on how coaching can transform workplace culture and leadership effectiveness. She discusses the power of trust-based leadership, why coaching isn’t just for professional coaches, and how conversations—not commands—drive real change.

Jo explores the shift from transactional management to transformational leadership, the importance of self-awareness, and how coaching fosters both trust and high performance. She also shares her personal journey, including the creation of Coaching Culture and the key moments that shaped her approach to leadership development.

Resources Mentioned:

- No More Sh*t Managers – Jo Wright

- The Coaching Habit – Michael Bungay Stanier

- The Coaches Casebook – Kim Morgan

- Life in Half a Second – Matthew Michalewicz

Enjoy the episode and don’t forget to check out our sponsor, Character Matters Coaching & Consulting!

In this episode of Leadership: The Secret Sauce, executive coach Steve Goodman shares his unique approach to leadership transformation. He discusses his “two-wheel to four-wheel drive” analogy, helping leaders unlock their full potential by integrating self-awareness, authenticity, and deeper emotional intelligence.

Steve explores the balance between performance and authenticity, the power of vulnerability in leadership, and why true development goes beyond “what to do” into “how to be.” He also shares key resources that have shaped his coaching philosophy.

Resources Mentioned:

Consolations – David Whyte

Winning from Within – Erica Ariel Fox

Mastering Leadership – Robert Anderson & William Adams

Leadership Circle Profile

Enjoy the episode and don’t forget to check out our sponsor, Character Matters Coaching & Consulting!

In this special episode, we sit down with Amy Wright and Linda Dausend to explore the transformative power of a coaching culture in the workplace. Amy and Linda share their journey of embedding a coaching mindset into leadership, turning traditional management into an approach that fosters growth, feedback, and self-awareness.

They discuss how their organization moved from a top-down leadership style to one where coaching is an everyday practice, not just a one-time engagement. Amy shares how the shift began as a grassroots effort, with leaders learning to ask instead of tell, and how this evolution led to the development of internal coaches who now serve as role models for the entire organization. Linda highlights the impact of this transformation, from improved retention and engagement to creating an environment where employees feel empowered to find their own solutions.

The conversation also touches on the challenges of making coaching accessible in industries like construction and manufacturing—where traditional leadership models prevail—and how adapting language and approach has been key to success.

Amy and Linda round off the episode by sharing insights on what they’ve learned about themselves throughout this journey and how organizations can take the first steps in building a coaching culture.

To connect with Amy and Linda, and learn more about Flashpoint and Coaching Culture, you may visit the websites below:

https://www.flashpointleadership.com/about/linda-dausend

https://www.flashpointleadership.com/

In this special recap episode of Leadership The Secret Sauce, hosts Dave Lipsky and Matt Dodson reflect on the impactful moments from Season 2. Joined by Matt's wife, Allie Dodson, they delve into the conversations that have inspired both coaches and non-coaches alike. They explore key themes such as guiding young individuals in choosing careers that align with their passions and the significance of self-reflection in personal growth and leadership.

Through an engaging dialogue, Matt and Dave discuss memorable insights from previous guests and emphasize the importance of understanding one's motivations and approaches. They also share their personal journeys in maintaining energy and encouraging future-oriented thinking in their roles as coaches.

To connect with the podcast and explore further resources, visit Character Matters Coaching and Consulting's website.

https://www.charactermatterscoaching.com/about

In this episode, we sit down with seasoned coach Helen Dann. Helen shares her personal journey of self-awareness and development as a coach, shedding light on her initial drive to help others and how she uncovered that her motives were rooted in a "rescuer syndrome" stemming from her childhood. This realization came during a virtual training session in 2020, leading her to dig deeper into her own psyche and evolve her coaching methods. The discussion explores how Helen transitioned from a coach who felt a need to fix everything for her clients to someone who holds space for them to explore their issues and own their solutions.

Helen also emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and continued self-development in enhancing her coaching skills. She talks about how necessary it is to hold a non-judgmental, safe space for clients to be themselves, to refrain from jumping in with all of the answers, and to challenge them when needed. She rounds off the episode by sharing resources that have been instrumental in her journey, including books and research papers that have influenced her approach to coaching.

Resources mentioned:

Coach the Person, Not the Problem by Marcia Reynolds https://a.co/d/5iwbRaz

Leadership Coaching and the Rescuer Syndrome by Manfred KETS De VRIES https://flora.insead.edu/fichiersti_wp/inseadwp2010/2010-104.pdf

The Human Behind the Coach by Claire Pedrick https://a.co/d/3rqqjrB

To connect with Helen, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-dann-icf-acc-pg-cert-a2984622/

In this episode, Ed Piccolino, an accomplished industrial organizational psychologist and coach, joins us. Ed shares his journey from studying leadership at a military academy to becoming deeply invested in understanding how early peer feedback strongly predicts future leadership success. His insights emphasize the crucial role of self-awareness in narrowing the gap between leaders’ self-concept and their public reputation.

We also discuss the intricate challenges of coaching and the necessity of providing honest and sometimes difficult feedback. We also highlight the importance of cultural context and the potential dark sides of a leader's strengths. Ed demonstrates how personalized feedback can significantly impact leadership effectiveness through real-life examples, such as coaching a micromanaging senior executive and working with a scientist at a pharmaceutical company. The episode also touches on the importance of character in leadership, using figures like General Stanley McChrystal and Steve Jobs to discuss traits like humility, influence, and the development of high-performing teams.

Resources Ed Highlights:

Good to Great by Jim Collins https://a.co/d/8CV166M

The Culture Code Daniel Coyle https://a.co/d/btGH6S8

Coaching the Dark Side of Personality by Rodney Warrenfeltz

Personality and the Fate of Organizations by Robert Hogan https://a.co/d/eRBXLPu

In this episode, we welcome coach Corinne Williams, who refers to herself as a business psychologist based in Singapore. We discuss the challenges and opportunities in the coaching world, emphasizing the significance of staying abreast of technological and AI trends. Corinne talks about the value of visual aids and reframing techniques in coaching to aid in understanding complex industry trends and client needs effectively.

We also talk about the integration of personal and professional facets in coaching. Corinne shares examples of how building trust, embracing experimentation, and using feedback can enhance leadership capabilities. The importance of addressing cross-cultural dynamics in coaching and inspiring leaders to overcome traditional attitudes toward vulnerability is also discussed.

Resources Mentioned:

Stop It! with Bob Newhart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcSAQyzPcl0

Tech and AI trends: https://www.cbinsights.com/research/

The Visual Capitalist: https://www.visualcapitalist.com

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