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.

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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.

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• 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/