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Practically Coaching

Practically Coaching

By: Leadership Coaching Collective
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About this listen

We’re Alex Carleton and Melissa Bloom, two coaches who’ve worked with hundreds of leaders and know that leadership starts with being human. In a world full of leadership books and AI advice, there’s something uniquely powerful and irreplaceable about working with a live coach who really sees you. We dig into what coaching is (and isn’t), how it can help leaders grow, and why a human-centered approach makes all the difference. Along the way, we share stories, insights, and simple techniques you can try out in your own life.Leadership Coaching Collective Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Meeting uncertainty with understanding
    Apr 28 2026

    As we continue to work through the VUCA framework, this episode focuses on uncertainty. When things are uncertain, we can react by searching for more data, more specific details, more information to help us navigate the situation.


    But leaders have a choice.


    Rather than operate in a silo, leaders can instead foster open dialogue and draw others into the conversation. One of the best ways to address uncertainty is to build understanding.


    Join us for a discussion of practical strategies for leading through VUCA times, including: the importance of a well-placed pause, engaging others in the discussion, and fostering collective understanding to enable decision making. We conclude with a grounding exercise you can do at your desk to help tamp down the frenetic energy of uncertainty.


    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Navigating Uncertainty in Leadership

    03:08 Understanding the Impact of Unpredictability

    06:11 Building Collective Understanding

    09:09 Fostering Open Communication

    11:52 Creating a Shared Experience

    14:39 Finding Grounding Objects in Uncertainty

    17:49 The Power of the Pause

    21:23 Embracing Human Leadership


    Get In Touch

    We love to hear from you! Whether you'd like to learn more about coaching or have a suggestion for a future episode of our podcast, reach out to info@leadershipcoachingcollective.com.


    Thanks to Brad MacKenzie for the music.

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    22 mins
  • Leading in volatility: V in VUCA
    Apr 14 2026

    In this episode, we talk about leading through volatility. Volatile situations are characterized by speed and force. When a change seems to come out of nowhere, the impact can feel outsized for leaders, their teams, and their organizations.


    Alex and I explore ways to foster both focus and flexibility to successfully navigate the way forward. We discuss how re-focusing on purpose, adjusting timeframes, and aligning people around near-term objectives lays a foundation for adapting to volatile conditions. We also present practical techniques, including breathing exercises, to help leaders stay grounded and effective during turbulent times.


    Chapters

    00:00 Understanding VUCA and Volatility

    04:35 The Importance of Purpose in Volatile Times

    11:50 Strategies for Navigating Volatility

    15:33 Breathing Techniques for Leaders

    17:55 Engagement and Reflection in Leadership


    Get In Touch

    We love to hear from you! Whether you'd like to learn more about coaching or have a suggestion for a future episode of our podcast, reach out to info@leadershipcoachingcollective.com.


    Thanks to Brad MacKenzie for the music.

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    18 mins
  • Leading through uncertainty
    Mar 31 2026

    This episode is the first in a series focused on leading through uncertainty. Recently, we’ve been talking with many of our clients about ways to adapt their leadership to current conditions. As things become more uncertain and ambiguous, it can feel more difficult to make decisions, collaborate with peers, and provide clear guidance to your teams.


    Many leaders feel the need to speed up. They feel rushed to gather information and make decisions quickly. Unfortunately, this hyper-focus on speed can reduce one’s ability to gather key information, innovate and be creative, and communicate with others.


    In this episode, we explore THE PAUSE. While it may initially feel counterintuitive, the pause is one of the best techniques for increasing resilience during stressful and uncertain times. We offer practical techniques like the psychological sigh and using images to help leaders and individuals manage anxiety and foster a calm, thoughtful approach.

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    29 mins
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