The Impactful Coach: Learn Coaching Skills and from Coaching Demos

Tobi Weghorn from metaFox Coaching Tools
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

The Impactful Coach is a coaching podcast for coaches, facilitators, and people developers who want to make their coaching sessions more impactful. On the show, metaFox Co-founder Tobi Weghorn interviews experienced practitioners to unpack concrete coaching skills, practical methods or even hops into the client role for hands-on coaching demos. Learn coaching from real coaching conversations and deep dives into Mindset, Methods, Skills & Tools. More on https://metaFox.eu/podcast

  1. Sep 25

    Becoming Present and What Coaches Learn from the Indian Scriptures with Yatish Chandrasekhar

    A coaching podcast with Yatish Chandrasekhar and Tobias Weghorn about coaching skills through the lens of Indian scriptures and modern coaching. Yatish, an ICF PCC coach educator from Bengaluru and the mind behind the Yogi Compass, shares why he believes India didn’t “catch up” with coaching—it’s been practicing it for thousands of years through dialogue-based teaching. Together, they connect the ICF core competencies to stages of learning like listening (Shravana), reflection (Manana), and contemplation (Nididhyasana), and explore coaching presence as a state of being rather than a technique. You’ll also hear practical ways to build a not knowing mindset—especially relevant in leader as coach conversations—using ideas like Sakshi Bhava (witness consciousness), silence, journaling, and breathwork. Key Learnings: Treat coaching skills like listening, reflection, and contemplation as a sequence: listen fully (Shravana), hold silence to let Manana happen, then help the client translate insights into action (ICF core competencies 6–8).Build coaching presence by “tending to zero”: reduce your need to contribute, rescue, or impress, so the client experiences more psychological safety and does more of the meaning-making.Practice a not knowing mindset (especially as a leader as coach) by asking curiosity-from-wonder questions like, “If you were taking all the decisions, how would you do it?” instead of jumping to solutions. Resources: Find your Coaching Tool: https://metaFox.euTry the metaFox Strengths Discovery: https://strengths-discovery.comConnect with Tobi on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tobiasweghorn Episode Chapters: 00:00 Not Knowing Mindset and Curiosity in Coaching 01:00 Indian Scriptures Meet ICF Core Competencies 09:00 Shravana, Manana, Nididhyasana as Coaching Skills 13:00 Sakshi Bhava: Coaching Presence as Witness Consciousness 19:00 “Coach to Zero, Client to 100” and Psychological Safety 23:00 Leader as Coach: Shifting From Answers to Wonder 44:00 Mentor Coaching: Silence, Reflection, and Avoiding the “Fixing” Trap 47:00 Pranayama and Box Breathing to Access Presence

    Becoming Present and What Coaches Learn from the Indian Scriptures with Yatish Chandrasekhar

  2. Sep 11

    Inclusive Facilitation with Shaheen Hajira

    A coaching podcast with Shaheen Hajira and Tobias Weghorn, digging into inclusive facilitation and what actually needs to change in how we design workshops so we don’t just hear from the fastest voices in the room. Shaheen shares practical moves like giving real thinking time, using Think Pair Share, and sending a clear “what to expect” email so more people can participate—especially in neurodiversity in workshops. You’ll also hear how co-design workshops shift power, plus Shaheen’s POWER framework (five lenses for spotting inclusion gaps) and what trauma-informed facilitation can look like in an ordinary session. Key Learnings: Use inclusive facilitation to change the default “raise your hand and speak” pattern: give 60–90 seconds of silent thinking time, then run Think Pair Share to bring in quieter voices and better ideas.Reduce cognitive load and support neurodiversity in workshops by sending a “what to expect” pre-work email (purpose/why, agenda, break times, and even prompts/questions) so people can prepare in their own way.Apply the POWER framework as a quick audit for co-design workshops: check Opportunity to Access, Wider Representation, Expression (choice + silence), Responsive Action (close the loop), and Power (what you can genuinely give away). Resources: Shaheen Hajira’s Website: https://taleemconsulting.comFind your Coaching Tool: https://metaFox.euTry the metaFox Strengths Discovery: https://strengths-discovery.comConnect with Tobi on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tobiasweghornConnect with Shaheen Hajira: https://au.linkedin.com/in/hajirasReach out to Shaheen Hajira: shaheen.hajira@gmail.comThink, Pair, Share, also known as 1-2-4-All: https://www.liberatingstructures.com/1-1-2-4-all/Priya Parker's Pre-Game Idea: https://www.priyaparker.com/ Episode Chapters: 00:01 Inclusive Facilitation Starts With a Design Choice 00:03 Learning In Context and Connection (Constructivist Social Learning) 00:07 Co-Design Workshops and Who Gets Invited Into the Room 00:16 Why “Raise Your Hand” Excludes People 00:21 Think Pair Share and Giving People Options 00:23 The Pre-Game Email for Neurodiversity in Workshops 00:33 The POWER Framework: Five Lenses for Inclusion 00:48 Trauma-Informed Facilitation in Everyday Sessions 00:55 Auditing Workshop Design + The Picture Check-In Critique

    Inclusive Facilitation with Shaheen Hajira

  3. Aug 28

    Team Coaching with the 5 Dysfunctions of a Team with Tina Blunsdon

    A coaching podcast with Tina Blunston and Tobias Weghorn. They get practical about team coaching by tackling “bathroom chatter” (the real conversation that happens after the meeting) and using Patrick Lencioni’s five dysfunctions of a team as a starting point. Tina shares how she builds psychological safety in teams with simple exercises, why she asks the most senior person to go first when it’s about vulnerability (and last when it’s about decisions), and how she creates space for constructive conflict in meetings without it turning personal. You’ll also hear how she uses a DiSC assessment to create a shared language for communication and peer accountability. Key Learnings: Use team coaching to stop “bathroom chatter” by building trust first: run a DiSC assessment, then do quick vulnerability-based prompts (e.g., “a childhood challenge that shaped you”) to set up psychological safety in teams.Spark constructive conflict in meetings with structure: set ground rules, use “five whys,” and add simple voting (fist-to-five or 1–99 + “why”) to surface disagreement without making it about the person.Make accountability stick by co-creating peer rules: have the team define what “holding peers accountable” looks like (including early communication), write it down, and get explicit buy-in so team coaching doesn’t slide back after the workshop. Resources: Tina Blunston’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-blunsdon-8a9843127/The 5 Dysfunctions Of A Team (The Table Group): https://www.tablegroup.com/topics-and-resources/teamwork-5-dysfunctions/Find your Coaching Tool: https://metaFox.euTry the metaFox Strengths Discovery: https://strengths-discovery.comConnect with Tobi on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tobiasweghorn Episode Chapters: 00:00 Bathroom Chatter And Why Quiet Voices Matter 01:00 Framing The Episode: Team Coaching And The Five Dysfunctions Of A Team 06:55 DiSC Assessment As A First Step In Team Communication 11:00 Building Trust And Psychological Safety In Teams 22:00 Active Listening Drill: Headphones, Observation, And Body Language 25:40 Healthy Rules For Constructive Conflict In Meetings (Five Whys, Baton) 28:00 “Throwing A Grenade”: Facilitating Disagreement With Scaling Votes 38:00 Decision-Making: Senior Vulnerable First, Senior Speaks Last 40:50 Holding Peers Accountable With Team-Written Rules 46:10 Blue, Red, Pause: Do The Work, Then Reflect On Results 50:35 Learn Coaching: How To Start With Team Coaching In Real Companies

    Team Coaching with the 5 Dysfunctions of a Team with Tina Blunsdon

  4. Aug 14

    The Neuroscience of Emotions and Images with Sue Langley

    A coaching podcast with Sue Langley and Tobias Weghorn about coaching skills you can use to read emotional cues, expand emotional vocabulary, and work more intentionally with emotions in sessions. Starting with a simple picture-based check-in, Sue explains why using picture cards in coaching can help clients talk about what’s going on “behind the words” and access richer insights than a standard “How do you feel?” question. You’ll also hear the neuroscience angle behind emotion cards and emotional vocabulary, including how the limbic system vs prefrontal cortex in coaching can shape empathy, clarity, and progress. Along the way, Sue shares practical ways to notice body language and physiology (interoception) so you can learn coaching that’s both human and evidence-informed. Key Learnings: Use picture cards in coaching as a “third object” to help clients talk more openly: ask them to pick an image that matches how they feel, then explore the story behind it (this strengthens coaching skills and often reveals what words alone hide).Build emotion cards and emotional vocabulary into your sessions: have clients label more precise emotions (e.g., disappointed, embarrassed, guilty vs ashamed) to support emotional intelligence (perceive-connect-understand-manage) and make next steps clearer.Practice reading emotional cues and body language in real time: notice mismatches between words and physiology (jaw tension, staccato gestures, foot tapping) and choose whether to name it overtly or regulate your own energy to help the client shift state. Resources: Sue Langley’s Website: https://suelangley.comThe Langley Group Website: https://langleygroup.com.auFind your Coaching Tool: https://metaFox.euTry the metaFox Strengths Discovery: https://strengths-discovery.comConnect with Tobi on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tobiasweghorn Episode Chapters: 00:00 Reading Emotional Cues As A Coach 01:00 Why Picture Cards Make Feelings Easier To Express 04:00 Picture-Based Check-In: Two Images And What They Reveal 08:45 Using Picture Cards In Coaching For Feedback And Strengths 14:40 Limbic System vs Prefrontal Cortex in Coaching (What’s Happening In The Brain) 19:45 Compassion vs Empathy: Staying Warm Without Losing Clarity 23:20 Interoception: Using Physiology To Read Emotions (Foot Tapping Example) 32:00 In-Session Techniques To Shift A Client’s State 37:20 Emotion Cards And Emotional Vocabulary: Labeling For Better Management 40:10 Shame vs Guilt: Why The Distinction Changes What Clients Do Next 47:45 Strengths, Values, And Choosing The Right Tool In The Moment 54:10 How To Learn More And Connect With Sue Langley

    The Neuroscience of Emotions and Images with Sue Langley

  5. Jul 31

    The Craft of Asking Questions with Stephen Nock

    A coaching podcast with Stephen Nock and Tobias Weghorn about sharpening your coaching skills through better questions and a stronger coaching presence. Using the episode’s intro as a starting point, Stephen and Tobi get practical about what makes a good coaching question (hint: it’s often less about the “perfect” wording and more about curiosity, tone, and timing). You’ll hear why what vs why questions can reduce defensiveness, how “And what else?” opens up new thinking, and how The Coaching Habit 7 questions can work as an everyday toolkit for coaches and leaders. They also explore journaling with coaching questions and Stephen’s And What Else coaching cards as a simple way to practice asking cleaner, more useful questions. Key Learnings: Build coaching skills by swapping “why” for “what” when you want depth without defensiveness (e.g., “What makes this important to you?” instead of “Why is this important?”).Use “And what else?” as a repeatable prompt to move beyond first answers—especially for idea generation and getting to the real challenge.Practice powerful coaching questions through journaling with coaching questions: write your first answer fast, then ask yourself what else is underneath it to find the question you’re really trying to answer. Resources: Find your Coaching Tool: https://metaFox.euTry the metaFox Strengths Discovery: https://strengths-discovery.comConnect with Tobi on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tobiasweghornConnect with Stephen Nock on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/stephen-nockGet your own "And What Else?" Coaching Cards: https://metafox.eu/en-int/products/and-what-else-coaching-cardsFind out more about &joy Coaching: https://andjoy.coachNewsletter "And Now What?": https://andjoy.beehiiv.com/The Coaching Habit (Michael Bungay Stanier): https://www.mbs.works/the-coaching-habitThe Advice Trap (Michael Bungay Stanier): https://www.mbs.works/the-advice-trapEpisode Chapters: 00:00 What Do You Want? Why “What” Questions Matter 01:00 What Makes A Good Coaching Question? 06:00 What Vs Why Questions (And When “Why” Backfires) 15:00 The Coaching Habit 7 Questions As A Coaching Toolkit 17:00 “And What Else?” For Idea Generation And Deeper Insight 28:00 And What Else Coaching Cards: A 4-Step Question Flow 33:00 A Live Coaching Demo: Enoughness, Trust, And Not Knowing 41:00 Foster Trust: Working With Uncertainty In Coaching 46:00 Presence, Calm, And The Coach’s “I Don’t Know” Mindset 51:00 Where To Find Stephen + Journaling With Coaching Questions

    The Craft of Asking Questions with Stephen Nock

  6. Jul 17

    Designing Strengths-based Journeys with the Sailboat Metaphor with Mirna Smidt from Trainers Toolbox

    A coaching podcast with Mirna Smidt and Tobias Weghorn on coaching methods that make strengths work feel more intuitive, less “report-heavy,” and easier to remember. Mirna (Trainers Toolbox / Happiness Academy) shares how she uses positive psychology coaching tools in workshops and coaching, and why she prefers adapting frameworks instead of following them rigidly. You’ll learn the sailboat metaphor coaching model for combining goals, values, strengths-based coaching, and real-life constraints into one visual journey. They also connect strengths to flow state coaching—using strengths as a shortcut to more engagement, energy, and learning. Key Learnings: Use the sailboat metaphor coaching approach to balance “sails” (strengths/resources) with “leaks” (weaknesses/overused strengths), so strengths-based coaching doesn’t turn into ignoring problems—it becomes prioritizing what moves the client forward.Build flow state coaching into your sessions by matching challenge level and motivation, then use strengths as a practical shortcut to sustain focus and resilience (especially when clients feel stuck or low-energy).When debriefing a strengths assessment, make it actionable by translating the report into visuals (sails/leaks/other boats/weather) and adapt the method to the coaching goal instead of forcing a linear process—one of the most transferable coaching methods from this episode. Resources: Find your Coaching Tool: https://metaFox.euTry the metaFox Strengths Discovery: https://strengths-discovery.comConnect with Tobi on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tobiasweghornConnect with Mirna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidtPodcast on Strengths Overuse: https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-strengths-overused-what-to-do-when-your-strengths-become-your-weaknesses/Podcast on Sailboat Metaphor: https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-the-sailboat-metaphor-a-powerful-tool-to-work-with-strengths/Read more from: Hugo Alberts (2016): Sailboat MetaphorMirna's Miro Template on Sailboat Methaphor: Coming soon! Episode Chapters: 00:00 Permission To Adapt Frameworks (Not Be Rigid) 00:01 Positive Psychology, Strengths, And Flourishing 00:05 PERMA And Positive Psychology Coaching Tools 00:12 Flow State Coaching And Strengths As A Shortcut 00:16 The Sailboat Metaphor Coaching Model (Sails Vs. Leaks) 00:21 The Full Sailboat Map: Values, Goals, Weather, Other Boats 00:27 How To Use The Model In Workshops (Non-Linear Coaching Methods) 00:29 Strengths Assessment Debrief Using The Sailboat Visual 00:39 Goal-Setting Prompts: Ikigai, Ideal Day, Rocking Chair 00:44 Weather And Resilience: Control, Acceptance, And Resources

    Designing Strengths-based Journeys with the Sailboat Metaphor with Mirna Smidt from Trainers Toolbox

  7. Jul 3

    Why Facilitation Skills are Not Optional For You as a Coach with Mehdi El-Naizi

    A coaching podcast with Mehdi En Naizi and Tobias Weghorn. If you’ve ever sat through a cringe icebreaker and felt your body tense up, this episode is for you: we unpack coaching methods coaches can borrow from facilitation to build real psychological safety in workshops. Mehdi shares what stand-up comedy taught him about reading the room, designing workshop warm-up activities that create connection without awkwardness, and how to stay flexible when the “real problem” shows up mid-session. You’ll also get a practical walkthrough of the double diamond process and Mehdi’s 6C facilitation framework to structure group work from clear outcomes to commitment. Key Learnings: Use coaching methods from facilitation to build psychological safety in workshops: start with a low-risk warm-up that creates connection (with each other and the topic) instead of “embarrassing moment” icebreakers.Practice reading the room on purpose: use an early warm-up as a diagnostic to adapt your facilitation style, then keep checking engagement signals so you can pivot without derailing the session.Structure your group sessions with the double diamond process (diverge/converge on problem, then diverge/converge on solutions) and pressure-test your flow with the 6C facilitation framework so you end with clear commitments, not just good ideas. Resources: Mehdi En Naizi’s Website: https://facilitatorscorner.substack.com/Mehdi En Naizi’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mehdi-en-naizi-75b533116/Find your Coaching Tool: https://metaFox.euTry the metaFox Strengths Discovery: https://strengths-discovery.comConnect with Tobi on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tobiasweghorn Episode Chapters: 00:00 Creativity, Prompts, and the “Sunset” Warm-Up 01:00 Psychological Safety in Workshops vs. Awkward Icebreakers 03:00 Reading the Room: What Stand-Up Teaches Facilitators 07:30 Why Coaches Need Group Facilitation Skills 12:30 Contracting: Outcome, Purpose, and Success Metrics 18:00 Preparing Your State: Rehearsing the First 5–10 Minutes 24:00 Workshop Warm-Up Activities That Build Connection (No Cringe) 30:00 Pivoting with the Double Diamond Process 37:30 The 6C Facilitation Framework (Connect to Celebrate) 44:00 Challenge the Client, Don’t Just Execute

    Why Facilitation Skills are Not Optional For You as a Coach with Mehdi El-Naizi

  8. Jun 19

    Strengths Coaching with Val Baguios III

    A coaching podcast with Val Baguios III and Tobias Weghorn where you get a front-row seat to a live coaching demo using CliftonStrengths. Val coaches MetaFox COO Trisha through a Gallup CliftonStrengths report debrief, exploring how Consistency shows up as realism and how Harmony can slide into conflict avoidance. Along the way, you’ll hear strengths spotting in action and how strengths-based leadership coaching can focus less on “fixing weaknesses” and more on owning your leadership style. If you want to learn coaching by observing real moves in a session, this coaching podcast breaks down what the coach is listening for and how to turn insights into next steps.Key Learnings:Run a simple coaching demo homework: ask clients to track one real conflict moment and note their response to spot Harmony strength conflict avoidance patterns (and when it’s actually working).Use strengths spotting during storytelling: reflect back specific behaviors (e.g., setting one goal per month) and name the strength/theme you hear to build a strengths-based language clients can reuse in coaching.In strengths-based leadership coaching, “delegate the gap”: if innovation isn’t the client’s lane, design a step-by-step way to pull ideas from the team while still making decisions with their coaching demo strengths (e.g., Consistency + Focus).Resources:Val Baguios III's Website: https://solacademy.phVal Baguios III's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valbaguiosd3rdCliftonStrengths Assessment (Gallup): https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/252137/home.aspxFind your Coaching Tool: https://metaFox.euTry the metaFox Strengths Discovery: https://strengths-discovery.comConnect with Tobi on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tobiasweghornEpisode Chapters:00:00 Noticing Conflict Responses (Harmony & Consistency)01:33 Coaching Demo Setup: CliftonStrengths + Harmony as Conflict Avoidance03:17 Val’s Strengths Coaching Background (From Engineering to People Development)05:03 Strengths-Based Leadership Coaching for Managers and SME Owners11:00 Gallup CliftonStrengths Report Debrief: Achiever, Consistency, Harmony, Focus, Responsibility26:00 Strengths Spotting in Action (Naming Focus and Achiever)31:00 Overuse: When Harmony Turns Into Conflict Avoidance42:00 Delegating Weaknesses: Getting Innovation From the Team50:00 Naming, Claiming, Aiming: A Simple Strengths Coaching Flow59:10 Advice to Coaches: Take the Assessment and Find a Strengths Community

    Strengths Coaching with Val Baguios III
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The Impactful Coach is a coaching podcast for coaches, facilitators, and people developers who want to make their coaching sessions more impactful. On the show, metaFox Co-founder Tobi Weghorn interviews experienced practitioners to unpack concrete coaching skills, practical methods or even hops into the client role for hands-on coaching demos. Learn coaching from real coaching conversations and deep dives into Mindset, Methods, Skills & Tools. More on https://metaFox.eu/podcast

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