This special episode brings together the key 'game-changing advice' from each guest in Series 1 of the Game Plan Coaching Podcast. It is a quick way to catch up with some of the headlines from the podcasts, and the insights that can genuinely shift how you coach, lead, and support the people you work with.

I’ve absolutely loved recording this first series. I’ve learnt so much from every guest and I’m really grateful for the generosity, honesty, and wisdom they’ve shared.

Here’s the headline advice from each guest on the podcast:

Martin Dighton: Stop Coaching

Richard Cheetham: Think About Who You Coach Before What You Coach

Fran Wally: Honesty and Trust Must Be a Two-Way Street

Tom Coyd: Build Connection and Clarity with Your Players

Liam Gilbert: People First, Results Follow

Nicky Harverson: Record Yourself Coaching and Listen Back

Daniel Lysett: Reach Out, Connect, and Start Culture Early

Joe Baker: Use Data to Design Better Environments, not to Predict Talent

Mark Blundell: Truly Believe in the People You Support, or Be Honest if It’s Not the Right Fit

Paul Bodin: Keep Challenging Yourself and Keep Learning

Bobby Scales: Coaches Need Coaching Too, Always Work on Yourself

Jean Côté: Focus on Short-Term Development of People, Not Just Long-Term Performance

Russ Smith: Involve Stakeholders and Change Your Perspective, Literally

Stuart Armstrong: Be Intentional, Design Practice Around Real Game Moments

John Hendry: Forgive, Be Kind to Yourself and the People You Coach

My LinkedIn Newsletter

I’ve also started a LinkedIn newsletter where I have started to unpack each podcast episode in more depth, adding my own reflections, coaching stories, and ideas you can take straight into your practice.

You can subscribe here: Subscribe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7404505494888882178

Help Shape Series 2

I’d love your feedback on the podcast so I can keep improving and developing it for Series 2.

What should stay? What should change? What do you want more (or less!) of?

It only takes two minutes to complete the survey here:

https://forms.gle/S3DBmdXAmzrWfJ4B9

Thank You

And finally, a huge thank you for listening, supporting, sharing, and being part of the Game Plan Coaching community. It genuinely means a lot. I hope the ideas in this episode, and the wider series, spark reflection, conversation, and maybe even a few small changes in your next coaching session.

If you’ve enjoyed the series, please follow the show and share it with a coach you think would find it useful.

Go well, and see you in Series 2.

Less drills, more thrills. I sit down with my good friend and long-time colleague Stuart Armstrong. I’ve known and worked with Stuart for years, especially during his time leading workforce development at Sport England. I’ve always admired his thoughtful, progressive approach to improving coaching, learning and policy across the UK.

We explore the balance between technical knowledge and human connection, the realities of being a parent-coach, and how we design environments that help people grow. Stuart also shares some fascinating ideas around “remembering” rather than “memory” and what that means for the way people learn.

Some key headlines:

1. It’s not all about the tech-tac: Technical and tactical knowledge matters but maybe it gets more of the limelight than it deserves. The ability to connect, support, listen and care is often what truly makes the difference.

2. Coaching is deeply human work: From parent-coaches to young volunteers, Stuart shares real-world stories that show the emotional complexity and the privilege of supporting others on their sporting journey.

3. From “memory” to “remembering”: A fascinating reframe: instead of trying to store techniques like files in a folder, great coaching helps people become familiar with real environments, so they can recognise and respond when it matters.

If you are interested in the ideas and discussion, you can listen to Stuart’s podcast, The Talent Equation, and explore his work here: https://www.thetalentequation.co.uk

And follow us here:

Tom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhartleycoaching/

Stuart: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartarmstrong/

Thank you for listening to the show, and wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Change a life, not just a bib. I’m joined by Rus Smith, founder of the Black Country Coaches Club and a proper community coach in the truest sense of the word. Rus has spent over 25 years investing in people in his local area, creating opportunities for young coaches to learn, lead and belong.

We talk about what coaching really is (and isn’t), why empowerment beats control, and how long-term impact often shows up years after the session has finished.

In the conversation we explore:

1. Coaching is about people, not just performance: Rus is clear: coaching isn’t simply about results, winning or technical outcomes. It’s about relationships, confidence and helping someone feel better about themselves. The real impact of coaching often can’t be measured in weeks or seasons - it shows up years later in who people become. “Change a life, not just a bib.”

2. Empowerment comes from experience, not instructions: Young people learn to lead by being trusted to lead. Rus shares why experiential learning; having a go, making mistakes, figuring things out - matters far more than ticking boxes online. When coaches step back and share the voice, they create environments that build character, resilience and real understanding. “I trust you. Have a go.”

3. Coaching works best when it’s shared: Whether it’s players, parents, young leaders or other volunteers, coaching improves when the coach isn’t the only voice in the room. Rus challenges coaches to rethink their role - from problem-solver to problem-setter - and to involve stakeholders as allies rather than obstacles.

This conversation shows why great coaching is deeply human work. Rus shows what’s possible when coaches commit to their community, innovate around real needs, and become consistent people that others can lean on.

If you work in grassroots sport, youth development or coach education or if you simply care about creating better experiences for young people this episode will give you ideas, reassurance and practical prompts to take into your own coaching.

Follow us here:

Tom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhartleycoaching/

Rus: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rus-smith-a85ab16b/