The Coachability Code Podcast — Hank Wethington on Feedback, Trust, and Measuring Coaching ROI

Connect with Hank Wethington
→ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hankwethington
→ Website: hankwethington.com

In this episode, executive coach and founder of Wethington Leadership, Hank Wethington, shares how real leadership growth happens through trust-based feedback, measurable coaching outcomes, and human connection.

We talk about what makes feedback land, why trust is the foundation for every coaching relationship, and how leaders can prove the ROI of coaching to their organizations without losing the heart of the work.

What this episode is about
→ Building trust before giving feedback
→ Why the “feedback sandwich” never works
→ How to measure coaching ROI without losing humanity
→ Coaching vs consulting vs feedback
→ Turning discomfort into growth
→ Showing value to HR, L&D, and the CFO
→ The fine line between personal and professional coaching conversations
→ What makes a truly “coachable” client
→ The role of play, humor, and curiosity in leadership
→ Finding your own leadership voice

Who this helps
→ Coaches working with corporate or executive clients
→ HR and L&D leaders who manage coaching programs
→ Leaders learning how to give feedback that builds trust

Key takeaways
→ Trust first, feedback second.
→ No one ever chooses the feedback sandwich.
→ Curiosity builds buy-in faster than confrontation.
→ Great coaching measures impact without reducing people to numbers.
→ Leaders who coach well ask before they advise.
→ Coaching ROI is about outcomes that the business can see and the client can feel.
→ Your “worst” clients are often mirrors showing where you can grow too.
→ Bring the life stuff into coaching, it always affects work.
→ You cannot coach without relationship.
→ Great leadership starts with finding your unique voice, not copying others.

Quotables
→ “No one ever orders the feedback sandwich.”
→ “Trust is the foundation of feedback.”
→ “Coaching isn’t a feel-good item, it’s measurable impact.”
→ “We’re one person, not a work self and a life self.”
→ “You can’t be someone else and still lead with integrity.”

Practical tools and frameworks
→ Ask clients how they prefer feedback before giving it
→ Use one clear improvement point instead of ten small ones
→ Track coaching ROI through engagement objectives and business outcomes
→ Pair curiosity with data to show tangible value
→ Use “consulting hat off” language to keep trust clear

Books mentioned
→ The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier
→ How to Tell a Story by The Moth
→ The Monk and Robot Series by Becky Chambers
→ The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey

Hosted by Jordan Ring
→ I’m Jordan, ghostwriter, book coach, and developmental editor.
→ Let’s turn your coaching insights into a book that builds trust and grows your business.
→ Connect with me at jmring.com

#Coaching #Leadership #Feedback #Coachability #Trust #ROI #PersonalGrowth #ExecutiveCoaching #HR #LearningAndDevelopment