There are many people who call themselves coaches—but how do you find the person who is right for you?Choosing a coach involves more than reviewing credentials or finding someone with experience in your profession. You are selecting a thinking partner: someone with whom you can be candid, explore unfinished thoughts, challenge assumptions, and consider new possibilities without feeling judged.In this episode of Growth Beyond Boundaries, Andy Huckaba, Teresa Schwab, and Phyllis Collins explore what professional coaching feels like and how to choose the right coach.What coaching is—and how it differs from consultingWhere to find qualified coachesWhy credentials matter but do not guarantee fitWhat to notice during a chemistry conversationQuestions to ask and warning signs to recognizeWhy trust, vulnerability, and readiness matterCoaching provides protected time to stop, breathe, think out loud, and make sense of tangled thoughts.A coach listens deeply, creates room for reflection, and asks questions that help you identify what matters most.Coaching should feel safe and nonjudgmental—but it may not always feel comfortable. A strong coach supports you while helping you examine assumptions, patterns, and choices that may limit your growth.Begin by clarifying what brings you to coaching: a challenge, transition, recurring pattern, decision, or new opportunity.A consultant generally brings expertise and recommendations. A coach helps you think, learn, explore possibilities, and develop an approach that fits you.Start with trusted organizations and referrals. ICF credentials—ACC, PCC, and MCC—provide evidence of coach-specific education, experience, competency assessment, and ethical commitment.Talk with two or three coaches. During each conversation, ask:Do I feel heard and understood?Does the coach listen more than they talk?Can I imagine being candid and vulnerable?Will this person support me while also challenging me?Does the conversation feel natural rather than pressured?As Andy shares: “Chemistry is everything.”Ask about the coach’s philosophy, training, expectations, approach to support and challenge, how progress will be recognized, and the fees and terms.Be cautious if the coach dominates the conversation, offers solutions before understanding you, is unclear about confidentiality, guarantees an outcome, pressures you to commit, or leaves you feeling judged.Good coaches give you space to decide whether the partnership is right.Choose someone with whom you feel safe enough to be vulnerable. Begin with trusted organizations and referrals. Speak with more than one coach. Look for chemistry that creates safety, creativity, confidentiality, exploration, and growth.What would you need to experience in an initial conversation to trust someone as your coach?Subscribe to Growth Beyond Boundaries and share this episode with someone considering coaching.ICF — Find a Coachhttps://coachingfederation.org/get-coaching/ICF Heartland — Find a Coachhttps://www.icfheartland.org/content.aspx?club_id=151304&page_id=145Other Growth Beyond Boundaries Episodes that connect with this Episode:Episode 18 — Coaching Employees Who Want the Answerhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/2NpnDrdG1IiTnBwATHMGUKEpisode 26 — The Infrastructure of Trusthttps://open.spotify.com/episode/2u3Wjzdp5fBwtMHaFrn17JEpisode 30 — The Power of the Pausehttps://open.spotify.com/episode/4uSkujugZjq5lwucAUNy0MPodcast archivehttps://adastracoachalliance.com/coaching-podcast/Music from #Uppbeat — free for Creators!License code: 1AF9FYKW2TNQNGG1

Burnout doesn't have to be the end of the story.In this concluding episode of our three-part burnout series, Andy Huckaba and Teresa Schwab explore what recovery actually looks like after burnout has been recognized. While the first two episodes focused on understanding burnout and the role leaders and organizations play in creating healthy or unhealthy systems, this conversation shifts toward hope, healing, and sustainable leadership.Recovery is rarely a single decision or quick fix. It is a journey that begins with awareness, reflection, and the courage to make intentional choices. The conversation explores reconnecting with purpose, examining personal values, establishing healthier boundaries, seeking support through coaching and trusted relationships, and recognizing when a change in environment may be necessary.The discussion also examines how managers and organizations can create cultures where people recover, thrive, and perform at their best without sacrificing their well-being.Five Action Steps for Individuals• Increase your awareness of the physical, emotional, and behavioral signs of burnout.• Pause and reflect to reconnect with your purpose, values, and direction.• Establish healthier boundaries to protect your time and energy.• Seek support through coaching, mentors, trusted colleagues, or counselors.• Be willing to make courageous changes when your work consistently conflicts with your values.Five Action Steps for Organizations• Recognize burnout as an organizational responsibility, not just an individual one.• Support meaningful recovery by encouraging true time away from work.• Create psychological safety where people can speak openly about burnout.• Align work with organizational purpose and meaningful contribution.• Provide coaching, development, and ongoing support—not just wellness programs.Five Action Steps for Managers• Lead with curiosity and compassion when employees are struggling.• Ask, 'What can I do to support you right now?'• Protect employees' recovery by respecting boundaries and time away.• Help reprioritize work so people can focus on what matters most.• Model healthy leadership through sustainable work habits and boundaries.Burnout SeriesEpisode 31 – Understanding Burnout: Recognizing the Warning Signs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/53ipwQBC7034U1sZvis8rQ?si=RVI-Yxp0RkqYXhCzO4RHRw Episode 32 – Building Resilient Systems and Organizations: The Leader's Role in Preventing Burnout Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6jkDxNVCR6vkxpwZZuTvjO?si=mC32bDO4QASLlShypx0tQwOther Growth Beyond Boundaries Episodes You May Enjoy• Episode 23 – Finding Your Compass: Living and Leading Through Your Values• Episode 24 – The Power of Coaching Conversations• Episode 27 – Leading Through Uncertainty• Episode 28 – Navigating Transitions and Growth• Episode 29 – Mastering Delegation• Episode 30 – Intentional Leadership: The Power of the PauseLearn MoreLearn more at #AdAstraCoachAllianceTag us @AdAstraCoachAlliance and share your thoughts or takeaways from this episode!Hashtags#GrowthBeyondBoundaries #AdAstraCoachAlliance #Burnout #BurnoutRecovery #Leadership #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment #Resilience #HealthyLeadership #OrganizationalCulture #PsychologicalSafety #WorkplaceWellbeing #Coaching #PersonalGrowth #PurposeDrivenLeadership #SustainableLeadershipMusic CreditsMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)License code: 1AF9FYKW2TNQNGG1

Burnout is not simply an individual resilience problem—it is often a leadership, culture, and systems challenge.In this second episode of our burnout series, Andy Huckaba and Teresa Schwab explore the role leaders and organizations play in either contributing to burnout or creating environments where people can thrive.The conversation examines how workplace culture, expectations, pace, trust, boundaries, and leadership behaviors shape the employee experience. Together, they discuss what resilient organizations do differently and how leaders can create conditions that support both well-being and performance.In This Episode• Is burnout an individual issue or a systems issue?• What role do leaders play in preventing burnout?• How do organizational cultures unintentionally contribute to burnout?• What have we normalized that perhaps should no longer be normal?• The importance of trust, psychological safety, boundaries, and purpose• What resilient organizations do differentlyResources MentionedChristina Maslach – Pioneer in burnout research and co-developer of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)Daniel Pink – Author of Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us and the framework of:• Autonomy• Mastery• PurposeRelated Episodes• Episode 31 – Defining Burnout: What It Is, What It Isn’t, and How It Shows Up• Episode 30 – Intentional Leadership and the Power of the Pause• Episode 29 – Mastering Delegation• Episode 23 – Finding Your Compass: Values in Leadership and LifeComing NextEpisode 33: Recovery, Support, and Coaching StrategiesWe’ll explore practical tools, coaching insights, and sustainable leadership practices that help people recover from burnout and build greater resilience.“Organizations don’t intentionally create burnout, but they often create conditions where burnout can flourish.”#Burnout #Leadership #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment #OrganizationalCulture #Resilience #EmotionalIntelligence #SustainableLeadership #GrowthBeyondBoundaries #AdAstraCoachAlliance Learn more at⁠#AdAstraCoachAllianceTag us @AdAstraCoachAlliance and share your thoughts or takeaways from this episode!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)License code: 1AF9FYKW2TNQNGG1

Burnout is more than being tired—it is often a loss of energy, connection, meaning, and momentum.Burnout is a word we hear frequently, but do we really understand what it means?In this first episode of our three-part series on burnout, Andy Huckaba, Teresa Schwab, and Phyllis Collins explore what burnout actually is, how it differs from ordinary stress, and the many ways it shows up in our lives and leadership.Drawing from coaching experiences, personal stories, and the work of burnout researcher Christina Maslach, the conversation examines why burnout is often more than exhaustion. It can also involve disconnection, cynicism, loss of purpose, and a diminished sense of accomplishment.The discussion also explores how burnout can affect not only our work, but our relationships, caregiving responsibilities, and overall well-being.Whether you’re a leader, professional, caregiver, entrepreneur, or someone navigating a demanding season of life, this episode offers practical insights to help you recognize burnout before it becomes a crisis.·      What burnout is—and what it is not·      The difference between stress, fatigue, and burnout·      Christina Maslach’s three dimensions of burnout:o   Emotional Exhaustiono   Cynicism and Detachmento   Reduced Personal Accomplishment·      Why high-capacity people are often most vulnerable·      How burnout can feel like “spinning your wheels”·      The concept of burnout as “workplace depression”·      The role of purpose, meaning, and connection·      Why burnout is often both an individual and systemic issue·      How do I know if I’m experiencing burnout?·      What warning signs do people often miss?·      Why do high-performing leaders burn out?·      What does burnout look like beyond the workplace?·      How can we recognize burnout in ourselves and others?Christina Maslach·      Co-developer of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)·      Pioneer in burnout research and organizational well-beingDaniel Pink·      Author of Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us·      Known for the framework of:o   Autonomyo   Masteryo   PurposeThese concepts will be explored more deeply in upcoming episodes as we discuss how leaders and organizations can build more resilient and sustainable workplaces.Burnout doesn’t always begin with being tired. It often begins with feeling stuck, disconnected, depleted, or overwhelmed.Episode 32: Building Resilient Systems and OrganizationsWhat role do leaders play in preventing burnout? We’ll explore organizational culture, workplace systems, and how leaders can create environments where people can thrive.Related EpisodesIf this conversation resonates with you, you may also enjoy:Episode 30 – Intentional Leadership and the Power of the PauseEpisode 29 – Mastering DelegationEpisode 27 – Uncertainty: Fear, Trust, and the Path ForwardEpisode 23 – Finding Your Compass: Values in Leadership and LifeLearn more at⁠#AdAstraCoachAlliance #Coaching #Leadership#ExecutiveLeadership#ExecutiveCoaching#LeadershipDevelopment#OrganizationalCulture#Burnout#Resilience#EmotionalIntelligence#SustainableLeadership#GrowthBeyondBoundariesTag us @AdAstraCoachAlliance and share your thoughts or takeaways from this episode!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!) License code: 1AF9FYKW2TNQNGG1

As the new year begins, leaders often feel pressure to set goals and move quickly. In this episode, Andy Huckaba and Teresa Schwab invite leaders to slow down and lead with greater intention.They explore why reflection matters more than resolutions, how leaders drift without noticing, and why values—not just goals—must anchor leadership decisions. This conversation offers practical ways to create space, protect energy, and establish a clear North Star that guides leadership throughout the year.Referenced Episodes & Resources:Episode 23: Finding Your Compass: Values in Leadership and LifeThe Four Tendencies by Gretchen RubinJonathan Fields’ Connection, Contribution, and Vitality frameworkJonathan Fields "Success Scaffolding":  https://www.goodlifeproject.com/podcast/success-scaffolding/Warren Buffet exercise:  Brainstorm 25 work goals that you have for the year. Circle the 5 most important ones. Ignore the others at all costs.End of year/beginning of year reflection:  List 100 changes in the previous year. They could be big or small, or positive, negative or neutral. Don't judge them, just write them down. Episode 23: Finding Your Compass: Values in Leadership and LifeLearn more at⁠ https://adastracoachalliance.com#AdAstraCoachAllianceTag us @AdAstraCoachAlliance and share your thoughts or takeaways from this episode!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)License code: 1AF9FYKW2TNQNGG1

Delegation is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — leadership skills. In this episode, Andy sits down with Phyllis Collins and Teresa Schwab for a lively, honest conversation about why delegation is hard, what keeps leaders holding on too tightly, and how reframing the act of “letting go” can transform both people and organizations.Together, we explore the internal barriers that make delegation feel risky, the identity shifts that come with moving from “super performer” to leader, and the power of trust, coaching, and influence in helping others grow.You’ll hear real stories, practical strategies, and a reframing of delegation that moves it from something burdensome to something energizing — for leaders and their teams.What We Cover in This EpisodeWhat delegation really is — and what it isn’tWhy high performers often struggle the most when moving into leadershipThe hidden fears behind holding on to tasksHow identity, trust, and control influence delegation habitsMisconceptions that keep leaders from sharing meaningful workHow delegation increases engagement, motivation, and organizational capacityReframing delegation for individual contributors (leading through influence)Why “dumping” and “abdication” are NOT delegationCoach-like techniques for supporting others without taking the work backHow teams and organizations change when leaders truly let goAndy’s Rules of DelegationThese three rules offer a simple and powerful framework for transforming how leaders think about and practice delegation.Rule #1 — When we don’t delegate, we rob our people of the opportunity for growth.Holding tightly to work that others could learn prevents your team from building skills, confidence, and engagement. Delegation is development.Rule #2 — There is no task too big to delegate.Believing “I’m the only one who can do this” is usually more about identity, control, or habit than reality. Others may perform the work differently — and sometimes even better. Real delegation includes meaningful, high-profile, high-impact work.Rule #3 — Delegation is not abdication.Delegation doesn’t mean disappearing. Leaders shift from doing the work to supporting the work — setting clear expectations, checking in without taking over, and creating the conditions for others to succeed.Key Takeaways✨ Delegation is a strategic leadership move — not a chore.✨ Reframing the work through coaching and partnership builds trust and influence.✨ Letting go helps leaders stop drowning in tasks and start leading people.✨ Delegation fuels engagement. When people feel trusted and challenged, they lean in.✨ Doing everything yourself is not sustainable — and not what leadership requires.Connect With UsIf this conversation sparked something for you, share the episode with a colleague or leader who might appreciate a fresh way of thinking about delegation. Learn more at https://adastracoachalliance.com#AdAstraCoachAllianceTag us @AdAstraCoachAlliance and share your thoughts or takeaways from this episode!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):License code: 1AF9FYKW2TNQNGG1

In this episode, Andy Huckaba, PCC and Teresa Schwab, MCC explore the dynamics of transitions—the often overlooked psychological process that follows change.Change vs. Transition: Change is external and situational; transition is the inner reorientation that makes meaning of change.Seasons as a Framework: Fall (endings), Winter (uncertainty/reflection), Spring (new beginnings), Summer (integration and flourishing).Personal and Organizational Transitions: From empty-nesting to promotions, leaders and individuals face both loss and possibility in transitions.Leadership Implications:Recognize people move at different paces.Use authority wisely while leaning into leadership.Pause, celebrate progress, and allow space for reflection.Harness the perspectives of different generations in the workforce.The Neutral Zone: Though often uncomfortable, this in-between space is fertile ground for creativity, innovation, and possibility.These questions can be used by leaders, teams, or individuals to navigate transitions thoughtfully:What is ending for you?What does that ending mean? (practically and emotionally)How will this ending impact you and those around you?What do you need to let go of?What do you need to mourn or acknowledge in order to move forward?What feels uncertain for you right now?Where do you feel vulnerable in this transition?Who are you outpacing? (and what expectations might you need to adjust for them?)What is waiting to emerge?What’s possible here?What opportunities exist in this moment?💡 Key Quote“Change happens quickly, but transition is a process. The leader’s job isn’t just to declare change — it’s to walk with people through their transition.” – Teresa Schwab🔗 Resources & LinksGrowth Beyond Boundaries Podcast ArchivesWilliam Bridges on Managing TransitionsHeifetz & Linsky, Leadership on the Line#GrowthBeyondBoundaries#LeadershipDevelopment#LeadingThroughChange#AdaptiveLeadership#CoachingConversations#NavigatingTransitions#MindfulLeadership#OrganizationalCulture#ResilientLeadership#ReflectiveQuestions Learn more at www.adastracoachalliance.com#AdAstraCoachAllianceTag us @AdAstraCoachAlliance and share your thoughts or takeaways from this episode!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):License code: 1AF9FYKW2TNQNGG1

🎧 Episode DescriptionIn this heartfelt and grounded conversation, Andy, Teresa, and Phyllis explore the experience of uncertainty—how it impacts us physically, emotionally, and mentally, and how we can respond with self-awareness, trust, and intention.They share vivid personal metaphors (from mountain trails to deserted islands), break down the neuroscience of uncertainty, and offer actionable coaching strategies to navigate it with courage and clarity.🧠 Topics Covered• The emotional and physical effects of uncertainty: fear, disorientation, isolation• The neuroscience of uncertainty: amygdala activation, loss of dopamine rewards, cognitive overload• Strategies to regulate the nervous system and recover executive function• The power of intentional interruption—pause, breathe, reflect, reframe• Building trust in process, self, and coaching containers• Coaching through uncertainty using perspective-shifting questions• Creating psychological safety in organizations through process, not just outcomes💡 Key Insights• Uncertainty often makes us feel alone or off balance—but it’s also a portal to growth.• Our brains are wired to seek certainty, but we can train ourselves to tolerate and thrive in the unknown.• Self-awareness is step one. Knowing your physical, emotional, or behavioral cues helps interrupt fear.• Intentional actions—walking, breathing, asking better questions—reengage your thinking brain.• Coaching isn't about solving uncertainty—it’s about creating space for possibilities to emerge.• Organizations can prepare people for uncertainty by designing trustworthy processes and containers.🔍 Reflective Coaching Questions• What does uncertainty feel like in your body and mind?• What signals tell you your brain has been hijacked by fear?• What can you control right now?• What decision today will still make sense a year from now?• What if this isn’t the storm—it’s the climate?🔗 Resources Mentioned• “Just Keep Breathing” – Adapted from Finding Nemo's 'Just Keep Swimming'• HBR article: In Uncertain Times, Ask These Questions Before You Make a Decision• Techniques like box breathing, movement, stepping back, and 'on the balcony' perspectives• Kansas Leadership Center principles (e.g., act experimentally)📢 Call to ActionFeeling unsteady in uncertain times? You’re not alone—and you’re more resourceful than you think. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it, and reflect on the questions that move you from fear to forward momentum.🖱️ Learn more at www.adastracoachalliance.com🏷️ Hashtags#GrowthBeyondBoundaries #LeadershipDevelopment #Uncertainty #CoachingTools #NeuroscienceOfUncertainty #IntentionalLeadership #CoachingCulture #AdaptiveLeadership #AdAstraCoachAllianceTag us @AdAstraCoachAlliance and share your thoughts or takeaways from this episode!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):License code: 1AF9FYKW2TNQNGG1

Guests: Teresa Schwab & Phyllis Collins (Ad Astra Coach Alliance)Host: Andy HuckabaIn this episode, we explore the hidden dynamics of trust in the workplace—how to define it, assess it, build it, and repair it. Teresa Schwab and Phyllis Collins join Andy Huckaba for a deep and thoughtful discussion that blends personal insight, leadership experience, and practical advice. Together, they examine how trust and psychological safety relate, how power and past experiences shape trust, and what leaders can do to create environments where trust can thrive.Defining Trust and Psychological SafetyTrust = Expectations of othersPsychological Safety = Feeling safe to take interpersonal risksThey are distinct but interconnectedHow Trust is BuiltThrough consistent, congruent, and authentic behaviorSmall “marble jar” transactions over time (inspired by Brené Brown)Reliability, presence, and alignment with stated valuesThe Role of Power and ExperiencePeople carry stories about authority into workspacesTrust in a role can be eroded by past negative experiences—even before personal interactions occurLeaders must separate themselves from the role and model trustworthy behaviorPractical Tips for Leaders to Build TrustCommunicate clearly and consistentlyInvite genuine feedback and respond constructivelyShow vulnerability and take ownership when mistakes happenLive out values and model integrity in decision-making“Trust is invisible when it’s working—and painfully obvious when it’s not.”“If you spend more marbles than you have, you damage the relationship.”“Power doesn’t automatically get you trust—it might get you obedience.”“People don’t distrust the person—they distrust the role based on past experience.”Edmondson, A. C. (1999). Psychological Safety and Learning Behavior in Work Teams.Edmondson, A. C. (2018). The Fearless Organization.Covey, S. M. R. (2006). The Speed of Trust.Mayer, R. C., Davis, J. H., & Schoorman, F. D. (1995). An Integrative Model of Organizational Trust.Brené Brown – Dare to Lead and Daring GreatlyAmy Cuddy – Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges“Trust is the conduit of influence, and the only way to establish real trust is by being present.”Visit: www.adastracoachalliance.comFollow us on LinkedIn and your favorite podcast platform for future episodes and resources.We welcome your feedback and topic suggestions!Explore more content and join the conversation online using these hashtags:#TrustInTheWorkplace#PsychologicalSafety#LeadershipDevelopment#AuthenticLeadership#ExecutiveCoaching#BuildingTrust#TeamCulture#PeopleFirst#InclusiveLeadership#GrowthBeyondBoundariesTag us @AdAstraCoachAlliance and share your thoughts or takeaways from this episode!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):License code: 1AF9FYKW2TNQNGG1

Guests: Phyllis Collins (ACC Coach, Founding Partner at Ad Astra Coach Alliance)Host: Andy Huckaba, PCCIn this enlightening conversation, Phyllis Collins joins Andy Huckaba to unpack the true meaning of coaching, clarify common misconceptions, and explore why organizations should integrate coaching into their developmental strategies.Key Themes:Misunderstandings of coaching as corrective rather than developmental.Clear distinctions between coaching, training, mentoring, consulting, and therapy.The critical role of partnership and relationship in effective coaching.The limitations of standalone training and the necessity of follow-on coaching.Creating safe, confidential spaces for authentic growth.Notable Quotes:"Just having this time to think through some things and having a sounding board...that's the best part of the coaching." – Phyllis Collins"Coaching is relational, not transactional." – Andy HuckabaRecommended Action for Organizations: Consider coaching not just as an occasional resource, but as a fundamental tool for individual and organizational development. Experience firsthand how coaching can lead to sustained growth and deeper engagement across your organization.Listen and explore how coaching can redefine the potential of your team and leadership.Connect with Us:💬 Have questions or thoughts? Reach out to us—we’d love to hear from you! ([email protected])#CoachingPodcast #BusinessPodcast #Leadership #CoachingCulture #ManagerAsCoach #ExecutiveCoaching #WorkplaceGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #EmployeeEngagement #ListeningSkills #ThinkingPartner #CoachingMindsetMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):License code: 1AF9FYKW2TNQNGG1