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The Coaching Edge Podcast welcomes Simon Harling, author of Good Coach, Bad Coach and a Cardiff-based practice developer with 15+ years across pro football, squash, golf, and national governing bodies. In conversation with Dr. Steve Jeffs and Erwin de Grave, Simon explores what coaches and business leaders gain when they shift from external validation (“am I good enough?”) to internal clarity (“I know what my practice is for”).
Three insights from this episode stand out for coaching professionals:
First, environmental design beats instruction in many situations. Simon shows how “design the space, set two or three rules, then step back” produces faster learning than directive teaching.
Second, the tension between development and performance is a leadership choice, not a binary. Holding both, and being explicit with your stakeholders about which one you prioritise and when, builds trust and alignment.
Third, consistency of practice outperforms peak-chasing. The conditions you set for showing up day after day matter more than any single big moment.
Guest: Simon Harling