Yesterday, I had one of those unforgettable days in Rochester, New York—a moment that reminded me of my old volleyball coaching days, where energy, movement, and rhythm created real transformation. What made it special? A client brought to life one of the most effective and underused coaching strategies: Coaching Stations.
🛠️ What Are Coaching Stations?
Imagine a room humming with energy. Leaders moving between stations. Each stop is led by a facilitator—not the main trainer, but a sub-facilitator—responsible for creating interaction, curiosity, and momentum. At each station, teams tackled real coaching scenarios. They weren’t just listening—they were doing.
Every 15 minutes, a bell rang.
One-minute warning. Then a switch.
Motion creates emotion—and in that motion, I saw lightbulbs turning on.
🎉 Why It Works
Simplicity Meets Brilliance: What struck me most was how simple the idea was, yet how brilliantly it delivered. Leaders were fully engaged, learning from peers and exploring multiple ideas in rapid succession.
Peer-Led Interaction: Instead of sitting passively through slides, participants experienced a variety of coaching concepts—each brought to life by someone who wasn’t “the trainer,” but rather someone in the trenches with them.
Microburst Learning: With just 15 minutes per station, there was no room for fluff. The format demanded concise insights, meaningful discussion, and hands-on application.
⚡ The Power of Movement
When people move, they feel. When they feel, they learn. This wasn’t about getting 30 people through a checklist. It was about building a coaching rhythm—a cadence of discovery, feedback, and action.
That energy—the smiles, the engagement, the laughter—it reminded me of the courtside drills I ran with athletes. Focused. Fun. And full of impact.
💡 Could You Try This?
I asked the CEO later: “Have you ever considered how replicable this is?” She smiled. Because the magic wasn’t in the budget or the logistics. It was in the design. You can do this. Any team, any size, any industry.
Here’s how to start:
Pick 3–5 key coaching topics your leaders or employees need right now.
Assign a facilitator to each station, preferably peers or team leads.
Give each station 10–15 minutes with a clear task or activity.
Use sound cues (a bell, music, timer) to keep energy high.
Wrap with a full-circle reflection so everyone internalizes what they learned.
Coaching doesn’t have to be complicated. It has to be experienced. Try Coaching Stations. Build motion. Create emotion. And watch your culture shift.
