Claim OwnershipCoaching Conversations with Jim Knight
Subscribed: 127Played: 2,389
Subscribe
© 2026 Coaching Conversations with Jim Knight
Description
Jim Knight is the founder of The Instructional Coaching Group, a professional development provider dedicated to offering PD for coaches, teachers, and leaders based on a partnership approach that creates better learning environments for all students. As a research associate at the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning Jim has spent 25 years studying professional learning and instructional coaching. He earned his PhD in Education from the University of Kansas and has won several university teaching, innovation, and service awards. The pioneering work Jim and his colleagues have conducted has led to many innovations that are now central to professional development in schools. Jim wrote the first major article about instructional coaching for the Journal of Staff Development, and his book Instructional Coaching (2007) offered the first extended description of instructional coaching. Jim has written several books in addition to those described above, including the bestsellers Unmistakable Impact (2011), High-Impact Instruction (2013), Focus on Teaching (2014), Better Conversations (2015), The Impact Cycle (2018), and The Definitive Guide to Instructional Coaching (2021). He has also authored articles featured in Educational Leadership, The Journal of Staff Development, Principal Leadership, The School Administrator, and Kappan.
159 Episodes
Reverse
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 gue...
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 a...
Sometimes the most profound lessons come from unexpected places. I recently trekked Nepal's Annapurna Circuit, and the experience left me with fresh perspective on gratitude, silence, and what really matters. In this episode, Jessica Wise and I share what we're grateful for, from working with incredible educators around the world to precious family moments. We explore why noticing the good matters so much in our work, the value of coaching relationships, and how to recognize and celebrate the...
In this episode of "Coaching Conversations," Amy Musante, ICG's Director of Consulting, reflects on her favorite podcast highlights from 2025. Amy and looks back at three episodes that really stayed with her. She talks about what she learned from Zaretta Hammond's insights on culturally responsive teaching, Maggie Jackson's ideas about uncertainty and adaptive expertise, and Susie Green's work on bringing positive psychology into coaching. Amy shares why partnership matters so much, what it m...
What's the difference between directive and non-directive coaching? Should coaches set the agenda or let teachers lead? In this episode, Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener joins Jim Knight to explore the philosophy and practice of instructional coaching. They tackle the big questions: balancing directive and non-directive approaches, the role of curiosity and empathy in coaching relationships, and how to give feedback that truly lands. The conversation explores why emotions matter in coaching, how sm...
In this episode of Coaching Conversations, ICG Consultant Jessica Wise looks back at three standout episodes from 2025. Each one pushed her thinking about how we can better support educators and help schools flourish. Listeners will hear why connection sits at the heart of real change and why strong support systems matter so much for educator well-being. Jessica also highlights practical ideas for creating schools where mental health is a priority and where people feel safe, supported, and ...
In this week's Coaching Q&A episode, Jessica Wise and I dig into one of the most important topics in education today: the role of school leaders, especially principals, as instructional coaches. We talk honestly about what great coaching really requires, the common challenges leaders face, and why authentic partnership matters so much more than compliance-driven conversations. We also explore what it looks like when leaders show up as true collaborators, using evidence-based practices a...
In this episode, Jim Knight sits down with the brilliant Zaretta Hammond, author of Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain. They discuss how teachers can bridge the gap between knowing and doing; bringing the science of learning and culturally responsive practices together to truly empower students. Zaretta shares powerful insights on building students’ “learning power,” developing metacognitive skills, and shifting from compliance-based teaching to what she calls a pedagogy of possib...
Chris Munro, John Campbell, and Jim Knight talk about what leadership coaching really looks like in schools. So much of it comes down to the conversations we have every day—the small moments that help people think, reflect, and grow. In this episode they discuss ideas from their latest book Growth Talk, including tools like the Learning Conversations Map and the GROWTH model—both designed to help leaders turn ordinary interactions into meaningful opportunities for learning. They also talked...
Jim Knight talks with William DeJean, founder of Unleashed Learning, about what it means to teach and lead in what he calls the “era of overwhelm.” Their conversation explores how systems thinking, a clear teaching and learning mission, and the use of both “what” and “how” data can create real coherence in schools. Together, they unpack how shared language and sustainable coaching practices can help educators move past compliance and scattered strategies toward classrooms where learning is pu...
In this episode, Jim Knight and Jessica Wise look back on the 2025 Teaching Leading Coaching (TLC) Conference, sharing moments that stood out and lessons that stayed with them. They talk about what makes instructional coaching meaningful, how caring communication shapes real partnerships, and why collaboration among educators matters so much. The conversation touches on memorable keynote sessions, useful coaching practices, and the sense of community that continues to grow through TLC...
What does it really take to build a coaching program that works - not just on paper, but in real schools with real people? In this conversation, Jim Knight talks with TLC 2025 presenter Dr. Jataune Jones, about what makes instructional coaching thrive, the power of core values, strong partnerships between coaches and principals, and the importance of shaping coaching around each school's unique context. Dr. Jataune Jones also shares practical ideas like auditing coaching roles, creatin...
On the Coaching Conversations podcast, Jim Knight and Jessica Wise come together for their monthly episode of Coaching Q&A, where they talk about Jim's upcoming keynote, “Learning from Experience,” for the 2025 TLC Conference. Their conversation looks at how lessons from life—love, forgiveness, courage, and even the way we use our time—shape who we are and how we coach. Jim shares stories and research that show how everyday choices and genuine relationships influence both learning and liv...
I had a great conversation with TLC 2025 breakout presenter, Sarah Ogborn, an instructional coach and AP teacher at Antioch Community High School. She talked about how she helped build and lead her school’s coaching program, sharing practical ways to connect with teachers, build trust, and handle challenges like imposter feelings and the isolation coaches sometimes experience. We discussed why strong relationships, clear communication, and steady reflection are so important. This conversation...
In this episode of Coaching Conversations, Jessica Wise and I take some time to highlight the remarkable keynote speakers who will be joining us at TLC 2025. We share a few powerful clips from recent podcast conversations and reflect together on what they mean for our work as coaches and educators. We talk about the power of radical listening and how that simple act can transform relationships. We dig into trust-building, which is at the heart of every effective partnership. We also explore...
In this episode, I talk with ICG Consultant, Christina Ortega, and Global Director of Learning & Development, Claudia Owad, about handling challenging conversations in schools. We focus on approaching these situations with empathy, preparation, and a coaching mindset so that the goal is growth, not blame. I share personal experiences and practical examples for using data, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence when conversations get difficult. We also give a preview of the Managing Ch...
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Rachel Lofthouse from the UK, Dr. Trista Hollweck from Canada, and Jasen Booton from England to talk about their new collaborative book, Coaching with Purpose. We learn about their personal journeys, the story behind the book, and why coaching, when it’s purposeful and relational, can be such a powerful force for growth and systemic change. Together, we explore ideas like “learning encounters,” the importance of values and context, and how authentic coachi...
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States