Secrets From a Coach - Debbie Green & Laura Thomson's Podcast

Laura Thomson-Staveley & Debbie Green
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Ideal for your commute, lunch break or even a well-deserved moment of self-care and development, our 25 minute episodes focus on positive actions to help you thrive and maximise your potential in the ever-evolving workplace, and in life. Join Debs and Lau, your positive cheerleaders bursting with energy and insight to maximise your confidence and success in the changing workplace. Each episode aims to leave you feeling motivated, supported and armed with the tools and practical skills you need to maximise success as we experience the biggest shift in how we work in our lifetimes.  We lift the lid on the real foundations for success in this new world of work. Our weekly episodes remain current and up-to-date and we frequently welcome high-profile guests to keep things fresh and diverse and to tackle topics like leadership, mindset, success, confidence, motivation, team engagement, mental health, self-care, time management, career development, life-work balance and thriving in the newly AI-enabled workplace.  Our monthly newsletter is packed full of tips and quality inspiration material for yourself and your colleagues. You can sign up via our site www.secretsfromacoach.com. If you’d like any more information or to work with us on any of these topics, reach out to us via secretsfromacoach@aol.com, connect via Insta or Facebook and please rate and review so we can reach out and support more people. #sharethesecret 

  1. 4D AGO

    275. Team Norming - Establishing Etiquettes and Rules of the Road

    Send a text What if the real unlock for high performance isn’t a big idea… but a steady beat? This 4-part mini-series is all about Incredible Teams, using the Tuckman Team Dynamics model as inspiration for creating or sustaining great teamwork. In this episode, we explore the Norming stage of team development- the quiet but crucial phase where discipline, awareness and consistency turn ‘getting by’ into dependable progress. Norming isn’t about being bland or rigid; it’s about establishing the rules of the road so teamwork feels lighter, clearer and more predictable. We discuss why clear standards define what good looks like, how shared awareness helps teams spot pressure points early, and why consistency is one of the greatest enablers of trust. Disagreements don’t disappear, but they resolve cleanly. Feedback feels safer because boundaries are explicit and repair is expected. Roles and handovers are understood, so absences don’t derail momentum. To make norming practical, we introduce Richard Beckhard’s GRIP model,  a simple framework to align Goals, Roles, Interpersonal norms and Processes. Used well, GRIP reduces friction, speeds up onboarding and strengthens new or evolving partnerships. We share how co-creating norms and revisiting them regularly can prevent drift and protect team rhythm. A steady and practical listen for anyone who’s moved through storming and wants to lock in the gains. Because when the rules of the road are clear, teams stop navigating each other and start moving forward together.

    16 min

  2. FEB 13

    274. Storming: Resolving Conflicts and Bringing Teams Along the Journey

    Send a text What happens when tension rises in a team? Do you address it directly, or hope it blows over? This 4-part mini-series is all about Incredible Teams, using the Tuckman Team Dynamics model as inspiration for creating or sustaining great teamwork. In this episode, we explore the Storming stage of team development and why conflict isn’t a setback - it’s a signal. When differences surface, expectations clash, or frustration builds, it’s often a sign that people care and are invested. We discuss why avoiding difficult conversations can erode trust over time, and how naming tension early can strengthen relationships rather than damage them. We introduce the Five Ps:  Preparation, Placement, Permission, Process and Partnership - a practical framework to help you handle hard conversations with clarity and compassion. A grounded listen for anyone leading through change, navigating disagreement, or wanting to bring their team along the journey. Because storms handled well don’t break teams, they build them.

    16 min

  3. FEB 6

    273. Forming Teams - Set a Success Satnav

    Send us a text How quickly do you trust new colleagues? Do you start at 100% trust and let it erode, or at zero and build it over time? This 4-part mini-series is all about Incredible Teams. Using the Tuckman Team Dynamics model as inspiration for creating or sustaining great teamwork. In this episode, we explore the Forming stage of team development and why clarity -not chemistry- is the true foundation of high-performing teams. We look at how trust is built intentionally and why new or re-formed teams need clear direction before momentum. We discuss the importance of setting a shared destination, defining roles and boundaries, and creating space for honest communication. Because without clarity on purpose and priorities, teams can be busy without being effective. We share the Z Tool; a simple communication framework to help leaders clearly explain change, align different thinking styles, and set teams up for success. A practical listen for anyone forming a team, joining one, or pausing to reset direction. If teamwork is a journey, start strong by setting the satnav to success.

    18 min

  4. JAN 30

    272. Getting Into High Performance Mode

    Send us a text How do we motivate ourselves in a healthy, sustainable way: and is pushing harder really the answer? In this final episode of our Fresh Starts mini-series, we’re joined by sports scientist Danielle Peters, who shares insights from working with amateur and professional athletes, people in rehabilitation, and those seeking better all-round health through understanding their bodies. Danielle challenges the myth that high performance means pushing through at all costs. Instead, she reminds us that true high performance is about listening, adjusting, and choosing what supports us for the long run. Together, we explore the powerful parallels between sport and everyday performance at work - from the role of rest and recovery, to managing stress, setting boundaries, and understanding the difference between intentions and goals. We also unpack why all-or-nothing thinking can quietly derail performance and lead to burnout. As always, take what’s useful and leave what isn’t; and remember, there’s no perfect time for a fresh start. Just the one that feels right for you. A reassuring and practical listen for anyone who’s flagging, or leading a team that’s dragging  - and looking for a healthier, more humane alternative to cracking the whip.

    40 min

  5. JAN 23

    271. Defining the Give and the Get - Creating the Life/Work Balance You Want

    Send us a text What does balance really look like when life feels busy, full and always 'on'? In this third episode of our Fresh Starts mini-series, we reframe work–life balance as life–work balance: because life comes first. Using the reality of our finite 168 hours a week, we explore how time and energy are limited resources, and why constant stretch is often a sign that the give has outweighed the get for too long. We share practical coaching tools including the Jar of Life and the Wheel of Life to help you spot where imbalance is creeping in and what may need to shift. We explore identifying your non-negotiable 'rocks' (e.g. health, family and wellbeing) and how over-giving through habit, expectation or guilt can quietly disconnect us from ourselves. One powerful question sits at the heart of the episode: “When do you feel most like yourself?” We also look at how this shows up in real working lives, especially in roles that demand constant emotional responsibility. Through small resets, clear boundaries and guilt-free protection of what matters, this episode offers a grounding reminder: self-care isn’t indulgent - it’s essential. If your energy mattered as much as your output, what might change? An ideal listen if you are looking for practical ways to achieve the life–work balance for you, or if you want to run a session/share at a meeting tips for energy, boundaries, giving and receiving, self-leadership and making fresh starts

    24 min

  6. JAN 16

    270. From Chaos to Calm: Creating Space for What Matters

    Send us a text In the second episode of our 4-part Fresh Starts mini-series, we explore how to navigate the setbacks, incidents, challenges and never-ending task lists that can, at times, tip us into overwhelm and reactivity. We share simple but powerful principles for restoring calm: learning to pause, shrinking your horizon when everything feels too much, and grounding yourself in your body rather than getting swept up in the story and drama of the moment. Debs offers practical guidance on how managers can help a team member shift from overwhelm to clarity, using a thoughtful 'go-to' question bank. Drawing inspiration from courtrooms - where questions must not lead the witness,  we explore how the same principle can be used for good in leadership conversations, helping others think clearly rather than feel pushed or fixed. Laura introduces the STEADY framework for creating space for what truly matters; a practical tool for self-regulation that’s equally powerful to share with a colleague or friend who might be spinning out with life's demands.  A calm, reassuring episode for anyone craving a little more space, steadiness and perspective when life feels loud and the workload is building.

    40 min

  7. JAN 9

    269. Set Intentions, Not Resolutions: Get Vision-Ready for What’s Next

    Send us a text Welcome to Part 1 of our four-part Fresh Start mini-series -  a companion episode to Ep. 268 where we invite you to get vision-ready with us. Whether you’re stepping into a new year, a new team, a new financial reality, a new role, or a whole new life chapter - or it simply feels like time to turn over a fresh page, this episode is about setting your intent for the phase ahead. Rather than making promises that can add pressure or create quiet guilt, we explore a mindset reset: progress over perfection. When we focus on direction rather than demands, energy and momentum follow. We unpack psychologist Julian Rotter’s work on Internal vs External Locus of Control, and why seeing yourself as the agent (not the victim) of events is linked to stronger wellbeing, clearer decision-making, and better personal and commercial outcomes. Finally, we share our brand-new FRESH intention-setting tool:  a simple, team-friendly way to galvanise focus and momentum. It’s ideal for meetings where you want people to leave feeling Focused, Realistic, Empowered, Strategic and Happy about the task-load ahead. A calm, motivating listen for anyone ready to reset their lens and move forward with purpose - no matter our age, stage or background. As Maria Robinson reminds us: “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”

    38 min

  8. 12/19/2025

    268. Reflect, Reset, Renew: Step-by-Step Your Year in Review

    Send us a text As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect moment to pause, breathe and take stock. In this reflective, “get reviewing with me” style episode, we walk you through a simple, compassionate, step-by-step process to look back over your year with clarity, courage and kindness. We explore why intentional pauses matter, how rest becomes a radical act of resilience, and how reviewing the highs, lows, lessons and notable highlights can help you reconnect to what truly matters. We share our own reflections, invite you to scan your year with curiosity, and offer practical prompts around values, purpose and emotional wellbeing. We also discuss how journaling, technology and a sprinkle of AI can broaden your perspective and support future planning - including the Safe Hands exercise and the Six Box Method to shape a flexible, energising year ahead. Both tools work brilliantly as team activities too, making this a practical episode for anyone looking to refresh a team review session. Whether your year has been full, messy, brilliant or challenging, this episode helps you honour your experiences, celebrate your successes and reset your mindset with intention. Key themes: reflection, emotional resilience, intentional pausing, values, purpose, self-care, notable highlights, future planning, personal growth, compassion A grounding, inspiring listen to help you close the year well and step into the next one with confidence and calm energy. Taking just 10 minutes to look back over the past 12 months gives you the chance to notice and savour your successes;  boosting your courage and optimism for the year ahead. We are taking 2 weeks off until the next year when we will return on Fri 9th Jan 2026! With love and thanks, Debs and Lau xx

    43 min
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About

Ideal for your commute, lunch break or even a well-deserved moment of self-care and development, our 25 minute episodes focus on positive actions to help you thrive and maximise your potential in the ever-evolving workplace, and in life. Join Debs and Lau, your positive cheerleaders bursting with energy and insight to maximise your confidence and success in the changing workplace. Each episode aims to leave you feeling motivated, supported and armed with the tools and practical skills you need to maximise success as we experience the biggest shift in how we work in our lifetimes.  We lift the lid on the real foundations for success in this new world of work. Our weekly episodes remain current and up-to-date and we frequently welcome high-profile guests to keep things fresh and diverse and to tackle topics like leadership, mindset, success, confidence, motivation, team engagement, mental health, self-care, time management, career development, life-work balance and thriving in the newly AI-enabled workplace.  Our monthly newsletter is packed full of tips and quality inspiration material for yourself and your colleagues. You can sign up via our site www.secretsfromacoach.com. If you’d like any more information or to work with us on any of these topics, reach out to us via secretsfromacoach@aol.com, connect via Insta or Facebook and please rate and review so we can reach out and support more people. #sharethesecret 

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