In this episode on The Coaching Podcast, we explore what it truly means to dance in the moment as a coach and leader. Through deep curiosity, intentional listening, and the power of storytelling, we unpack Emotional, Relational, and Strategic Intelligence in real time. We dive into the subtle push–pull of great coaching and why F.A.I.L. (Frequent Adventures in Learning) builds trust and growth. We also explore what makes a great coach: candid, courageous, and curious, meeting clients exactly where they are.

About Cara-Lyn Giovanniello

In the fast-paced world of modern business, Cara-Lyn understands the unique challenges of balancing agility, innovation, and scalability. Through her work as Founder and Principal Coach of C.L.G. Coaching and Consulting, and at the centre of her approach is The Art of Learned Intelligence™—a proprietary methodology designed to blend strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and relational dynamics into actionable frameworks that drive personal and organisational growth. By integrating this methodology, she supports leaders and teams in cultivating clarity, adaptability, and intentional decision-making, even in the most high-pressure, fast-changing environments.

Connect with Cara-Lyn Giovanniello

Website: https://www.theartoflearnedintelligence.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cara-lyn-giovanniello-pcc/

Coach EM Turbo Tip — Action vs Outcome (Environment Matters)

Tip:
Interesting language realisation from my last workshop.

As always, I ask people to share:
1️⃣ one insight
2️⃣ one action
3️⃣ one word for how they’re feeling

Let’s break it down.

Insight:
Different for everyone.
A quote. A comment. A moment. A practice that landed.
That’s awareness.

Action:
One leader said his action was “team engagement.”
Here’s the coaching moment:
👉 That’s not an action. That’s an outcome.

Engagement is the result of action — not the action itself.
This is a huge piece of the puzzle and one of the three pillars of the Coaching Leadership Academy: Environment.

Ask yourself:
What environment do I want to create?
Then define 3 tangible, practical, observable behaviours that bring it to life.

Inspired by Eryc Eyl and his book Stop Making Workplaces Engaging — Start making them more human.

And finally, why do I ask for one word about how they feel?
Because there’s motion in emotion.
When people feel moved… they move.

Be open.
Stay curious.
Perform with pressure.

Featured partner:
Today’s Turbo Tip with Coach EM is brought to you by trysam.AI — your match-making AI tool for people looking for a coach and coaches wanting the ideal client.

Coach EM Turbo Tip #207: Stop Following Up - Start with Feedback

Tip:
Inspired by my conversation with Ari Galper, Global Leader in Trust-Based Selling.
Here’s the reframe: stop following up… start asking for feedback.

Everyone hates a follow-up.
I hate sending them.
They hate seeing them.

Instead, invite the next conversation:

“Would you be open to sharing some feedback from our last conversation?”

Or:

“I’d love to brainstorm ideas to support your [specific people challenge].”

2026 = no more F-Up (haha).
Get after it.
Make it a great day.
Until next time.

Featured partner:

“Today’s Turbo Tip is powered by Sam — the AI tool built for the coaching world. Coaches, spend less time marketing and more time coaching. Clients, find your perfect match — without the romance. Visit TrySam.ai.”

When Andrew Wynne coaches, he invites leaders to make a powerful choice: keep playing not to lose—defensive, cautious, and closed—or step up and play to win by creating the kind of collaboration where everyone can succeed. He builds trusted, safe containers where truth can land, people feel genuinely seen and heard, and leaders discover the “victory speech” they’re really working toward. Andrew is a mirror—listening with his ears, eyes, and whole-body presence—bringing both intimacy and accountability to the conversation. Guided by the belief that we go further together, and anchored in the wisdom that “cast your bread upon the water and it will come back buttered,” Andrew helps leaders build trust through reliability, credibility, and deep connection.

About Andrew Wynne – Executive Coach, Leadership Mentor & Vistage Chair

Andrew Wynne brings more than 25 years of executive experience across multiple countries and industries, blending deep commercial insight with a genuine passion for understanding human behaviour. As the former Managing Partner of a successful management consulting and coaching practice, Andrew has spent his career helping leaders and organisations elevate performance through clarity, connection, and courageous decision-making.

He is an Associate with the Stephenson Mansell Group (SMG), Australia’s longest-established executive development firm and a recognised leader in coaching, mentoring, and leadership development. SMG’s faculty has supported more than 6,000 executives across 600 organisations, including senior leaders from over 30 of Australia’s Top 50 companies—work that Andrew continues to advance through his thoughtful, presence-driven coaching style.

In addition to his executive coaching work, Andrew serves as Chair to three Vistage Australia groups, guiding CEOs and business owners through meaningful conversations, strategic challenges, and trusted peer advisory. Vistage is the world’s largest CEO coaching organisation, supporting more than 45,000 leaders in 35 countries.

A Professionally Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation and a graduate of the Professional Coaching Course at the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business, Andrew is committed to lifelong learning. He continues to study, refine, and master cutting-edge coaching techniques to support leaders in becoming more effective, more aware, and more human in the way they lead.

Connect with Andrew:
Website: https://andrewwynne.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-wynne/

Coach EM Turbo Tip — “As Much Me As Possible”

Inspired by Lena Waithe’s powerful reminder:
“I don’t want to be a better version of me… I just want to be as much me as I can possibly be.”
Lena is an Emmy-winning writer, producer, and actor known for her bold storytelling and authentic voice.

That’s the real high-performance game — not upgrading yourself, but unmasking yourself.
Less polishing. More authenticity. More you.

Live inspired
Practice improving
Lead with impact

Featured partner:

“Today’s Turbo Tip is powered by Sam — the AI tool built for the coaching world. Coaches, spend less time marketing and more time coaching. Clients, find your perfect match — without the romance. Visit TrySam.ai.”

Today on The Coaching Podcast, Coach EM sits down with the legendary Gigi Fernández for one of her most vulnerable and moving conversations yet. Gigi opens up about the competitive mindset it took to become a 17-time Grand Slam champion — and the inner work required to quieten the mind, detach from outcomes, and replace fear with focus. She shares how learning to lose became one of the greatest gifts of her career, supported by an evidence list reminding her that everything truly will be okay. Gigi also talks candidly about parenting twins, the moment Hurricane Helene took everything from her, and how that devastation sparked the revival of purpose behind her foundation, Tennis for Hope. And of course, she leaves us with a doubles tip that every player should tattoo on their brain: the person closest to the ball takes the shot.

ABout Gigi Fernández:

Gigi Fernández is widely regarded as one of the greatest doubles players in tennis history. A member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, she amassed 17 Grand Slam doubles titles and two Olympic Gold Medals with partner Mary Joe Fernández. In 2000, she was honoured as Puerto Rican Athlete of the Century, recognising her extraordinary impact on the sport.

Today, Gigi pours her passion into coaching, education, and philanthropy. She is the founder of The Gigi Method and Gigi Fernández Tennis, helping adult players elevate their doubles skills through world-class camps, clinics, and events around the world. After losing her home during Hurricane Helene, Gigi founded Tennis for Hope, a nonprofit uniting the tennis community to support individuals and clubs affected by natural disasters. Off the court, she is a proud mum to twins, Karson and Madison.

Connect with Gigi:
https://gigifernandeztennis.com/

⚡ Coach EM Turbo Tip #203

A formula from The Coaching Podcast — inspired by my convo with Ben Easter (click here to listen to the full episode):

Success = Failed Attempts + ONE

My father-in-law, Cliff Samara, a brilliant entrepreneur, always tells me:
“When you get your 10th ‘no,’ celebrate — because #11 is usually the yes. Most people quit at #9.”

Hang in there, team — success is closer than you think.

Live inspired
Practice improving
Lead with impact

Featured Partner: “Today’s Turbo Tip is powered by Sam — the AI tool built for the coaching world. Coaches, spend less time marketing and more time coaching. Clients, find your perfect match — without the romance. Visit TrySam.ai.”

In this episode on The Coaching Podcast, I sit down with the brilliant Dr. Eve Meceda - a woman who truly lives and breathes “Educate. Inspire. Enable.” We dive into her powerhouse trio of focus areas: Growth Mindset, Habits, and Difficult Conversations. With 25+ years of global impact, over 1,800 talks, and a reputation for transforming how leaders think and behave, Eve brings the kind of wisdom that sparks real change. This convo is all about helping you stretch, elevate your daily habits, and lean into the tough moments that make you better. Enjoy, team - this one’s gold.

About Dr Eve Meceda

Dr. Eve Meceda has spent the past 25+ years helping organizations around the world significantly improve both individual and organizational performance. Much of Dr. Meceda’s current work with clients focuses on the development of a growth mindset, unlocking the power of sustainable habit change, and mastering difficult conversations. She has also partnered with Fortune 500 and Global 1000 organizations on issues such as leadership development, performance management, employee engagement, and the attraction and retention of high-potential employees. Dr. Meceda has received both the Vistage Speaker of the Year award and the Vistage Lifetime Achievement award. In the course of delivering more than 1,800 speaking engagements over the years, she has had the pleasure of working in eighteen countries on six continents … or seven if you include a recent chat with penguins in Antarctica. When she’s not on the road working with clients, Dr. Meceda lives and works in the beautiful Boulder, Colorado area.

Connect with Eve:
Website: https://www.evemeceda.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-eve-meceda-7a72958