Building successful, self-managing teams is more than roles & responsibility -

Why do more organisations & people fail than succeed?

Understanding UAEs (Unacceptable, Acceptable, Exceptional) in pre-agreements & how they should be used

PBNO 10 Pt 1 - Don't Treat People How They Want, But Rather How They Need to be Treated. Following this conversation, which ends in explaining the clarity of UAEs in 'eliminating grey'. In part 2, we will discuss how to establish them

In today's episode, I'm thrilled to welcome back Richard Shorter, AKA 'Non Perfect Dad', for a conversation about the challenges of being a sporting parent. Rich brings his unique perspective as both a Baptist minister and a "conversation architect" who works with sports organisations, schools, and families to navigate the complex world of youth sport development. We explore the challenging emotional landscape parents face when supporting young athletes - from managing our own reactions on the sidelines to making tough decisions about how much to push or protect. I share some personal stories about parenting my own kids in sport, and Rich offers brilliant insights about what he calls the "undisciplined squads of emotion" that we all face as sports parents. Key Timestamps: 14:20 - "Parents are still allowed to choose how they parent within an ethical safeguarding framework" - Rich challenges some common assumptions about sports parenting 27:45 - "I made a parenting choice that I didn't want to mortgage my future relationship with my kids" - I share my personal philosophy on youth sport development and the choices we make as parents 32:15 - We discuss the reality of balancing performance aspirations with maintaining healthy parent-child relationships Whether you're a parent, coach, or working in youth sport, this conversation offers practical insights and honest reflections on how we can better support young athletes while preserving what matters most - our relationships with them. Connect with Richard: Email: richard@non-perfect-dad.co.uk Website: nonperfectdad.co.uk LinkedIn: Richard Shorter Join my learning community 'The Guild of Ecological Explorers' at www.thetalentequation.co.uk

I recently had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Paddy McQueen from Swansea University to discuss a fascinating paper he had authored exploring the ethical dilemmas of supporting talented children in sport. Our conversation explored the philosophical questions about childhood, talent development, and the responsibilities we have as parents, coaches and policy makers.  Paddy introduced me to three different views of childhood - 'the sapling view' (seeing childhood merely as preparation for adulthood), 'the fruit view' (seeing childhood as superior to adulthood), and 'the caterpillar view' (seeing childhood and adulthood as distinctly valuable stages). These perspectives create different frameworks for thinking about how we should approach the sport experience for children. We discussed the tension between prioritising intrinsic childhood goods like free play, fun and social connection, versus instrumental goods that prepare children for adult success. The conversation revealed how deeply our cultural mindset about childhood affects the decisions we make in youth sports—often leading to an industrialised approach that sacrifices childhood experiences for potential future achievements that statistically few will attain. My three key takeaways from the conversation: How we view childhood fundamentally shapes our approach to talent development—each perspective (sapling, fruit, or caterpillar) leads to different choices. The sacrifices required for "talent maximisation" often undermine intrinsic childhood goods that cannot be recovered later in life. Playful, enjoyable sporting experiences may actually be more effective for skill development than highly structured, adult-centric training methods. If you found these ideas thought-provoking, I invite you to join my learning group called 'The Guild of Ecological Explorers' by heading to www.thetalentequation.co.uk and clicking on the 'join a learning group' button. There you'll connect with others who are exploring these connections between philosophy, psychology, and sports development

It's easy to be blind to the critical data that informs better judgement

Don't hide from establishing your true reality, & stop thinking that seeking out help is a negative reflection of your own capabilities

Episode 9 - agreeing, disagreeing, explaining, listening, understanding. All without barriers

Coaches often work in isolation, stunting their growth. In this video, we explore how collaboration and support can transform your coaching journey, making it easier to learn and develop effectively. Don't fight the water—embrace the support to thrive in your coaching career! #CoachingTips #PersonalDevelopment #SportsCoaching #GrowthMindset #Teamwork #PerformanceCoaching #CoachingSuccess #AthleteSupport #Mentorship #LearningTogether

Mark and I welcome Alan Keane to the show for an in depth discussion around the intersection of PDS and Ecological Dynamics, how Alan builds an unique open and trusting relationship between him and his assistant coach and also whether we have absolutes more objective moral rules guiding our practice.

That key difference between a leader 'leading' by example, & a great leader positively influencing others to ensure they present the same behaviour

Building honesty with good intentions between all staff is a must. Patience to achieve it is part of cultivating culture