Empty Coaching. Words and phrases that lack teeth.

“Good job! You’re getting there! I like that.”

“We’ve got to get better. C’mon, step it up. That’s not what I’m looking for.”

We’ve all been guilty of letting these clichés fly out of our mouths at one point or another. But do they actually help inspire change or simply fill the silence? In today’s episode, we cut through these hollow lines and explore how we, as leaders and coaches, can move beyond surface-level feedback to foster both immediate performance improvements and long-term growth..

Brett and our guest, Tex McQuilkin, get to the heart of what makes feedback impactful—what to say, when to say it, and how to become the kind of leader the world truly needs. Tex, a national-level presenter, coach, and content creator, brings his expertise as a certified strength and conditioning specialist and holds a Master’s in health behavior change. He’s led seminars in 16 countries, working with everyone from professional athletes to Navy SEALs.

Today’s show is a very fun and honest conversation between two friends and colleagues on a range of topics including:

Augmented feedback: the different types and how to make each one impactful
The #1 tactic any coach or leader can use to improve IMMEDIATELY
Shame as a motivator and our ability to harness negative emotions
How treating our thoughts as “tourists” can help us defeat our negativity bias
And *BONUS*: What Michael Myers can teach us about coaching

We want to thank Tex for joining us! Follow him on Instagram @mcquilkin, check out his new podcast, Captains & Coaches, and catch him across the Art Of Coaching universe—whether at our live events, in our mastermind group The Coalition, or online in our digital community.

The Apprenticeship - Become more socially agile with our live Leadership Training Workshop. When we say “leadership training,” we are not referring to cheesy corny trust-falls, motivational speak, or anything of the sorts. We are talking about the things that people say they wish they would have known earlier in their career and life - how to navigate difficult people and conversations, power dynamics, negotiations, and implement change.

If you deal with people-problems at all, if you’re in a leadership position or want to be in a leadership role, if you want LESS DRAMA - you need to get to this event! Check out our entire 2025 live event schedule for the best date and location for you!

New to our content? Start with the foundational text that inspired it all—grab a copy of Conscious Coaching today! If you’d like to purchase a signed copy, proceeds will go to supporting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Association. Your support of our small, family-run business means the world to us, and we’re incredibly grateful to have the chance to personally thank you for being part of our community!

Referenced Episodes:

E342 | Unpacking The Controversy of Nike's Latest Ad

Referenced Article:

What Shamu Taught Me About A Happy Marriage

E348 | Tex McQuilkin: Strategies for Dealing with Poor Coaching and Feedback in Sport

The Art Of Coaching