The Real Job of a Coach Isn't What You Think...John Dams

Ever wonder why some teams click faster, learn quicker, and bounce back stronger? We unpack the real levers behind high performance—where data sharpens intuition, language creates buy-in, and framing turns meetings into movement. With performance strategist and developmental coach John Dams, we trace his path from early rugby roles to shaping elite environments, pulling out lessons any coach or leader can use tomorrow.We dig into the mindset side first: emotional intelligence as a practical coaching skill. John breaks down the four controllables—what you say, think, do, and feel—and shows how they anchor tough moments. We explore empathy as an action, not a slogan, and why journaling shifts you from first-person emotion to third-person objectivity. That shift lets you see patterns, drop unhelpful reactions, and coach the person in front of you rather than the story in your head.Then we get hands-on. We show how to build rapport by matching language and values, and why framing is the hidden superpower. Use POWER—Purpose, Agenda, Outcome—to set clear contracts for reviews, one-to-ones, and training blocks. Pair that with sticky phrasing and simple, specific language that holds under pressure. We connect the dots between meaning and action to find flow, and share how to review against stated goals instead of mood. And yes, we tackle the “spray”: when it serves the team, when it’s just venting, and how intention changes impact.Finally, we return to the engine room: the marriage of data and intuition. Treat gut feel as hypothesis, use data to validate or iterate fast, and build cycles where insight compounds over weeks, not seasons. Culture, identity, and belonging are universal; execution is local. Your job is to read the room, adapt the frame, and own the culture work instead of outsourcing it. Subscribe, share with a coach who needs it, and leave a review with your best sticky phrase—we’ll read favorites on a future show.Send us Fan MailIs your school the best in your country? Let me know [email protected] SportsIf you need great rugby gear, Silverfern are the best. Innovative high quality rugby kit. Buy your set of "How to be a great Coach" By Ben Herring books here (amazon worldwide)https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=ben+herring&crid=1R6QYBT8QVPS1&sprefix=ben+herring%2Caps%2C221&ref=nb_sb_noss_1 Contact Ben direct: [email protected] the showSubscribe and Share, it makes a massive difference! Appreciation in advance.