Most leaders are coaching whether they realize it or not. The question is whether they’re doing it intentionally… or accidentally.

In this episode of Leading Ain’t Easy, Ryan and Erny are joined by Alicia Sanders, a Director of Supply Chain Management in hospital logistics, to break down coaching as a practical leadership skill; especially in high-pressure environments where deadlines don’t stop so “development” can happen.

We talk about the difference between managing vs coaching, why coaching creates real capability (not just compliance), and the hard reality leaders face when someone refuses accountability, including when coaching ends and performance management begins.

If you’re tired of doing the job for your team, this episode is your reminder: coaching is slower in the moment… but faster over time.

What we cover

• Managing vs coaching: directing tasks vs developing thinking
• Why coaching isn’t one-size-fits-all
• Coaching through strengths (and why EQ matters)
• Mentorship vs coaching, and when leaders must do both
• Daily huddles/check-ins as a simple, repeatable coaching practice
• The “cut your losses” question: accountability, engagement, and reality
• PDCA (Plan–Do–Check–Act) as a coaching framework
• The coaching pitfall: focusing only on the squeaky wheel and burning out high performers

Key takeaway

Coaching doesn't mean being “nice” or “helpful.” It’ means being effective and creating clarity, building capability, and holding standards without rescuing people.

Connect with us

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCLoVJP2UfHuJzOyNx4fHpg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reframerise/ or https://www.instagram.com/buspro_network/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leading-ain-t-easy-podcast/

Call to action

If this episode hit home, drop a comment or message us:
What’s the hardest part of coaching people in your environment?

"Leading ain’t easy, but you don’t have to do it alone."

Leading Ain’t Easy is hosted by Ryan Calkins and Erny Epley.

• Ryan is the founder of Reframe & Rise, a career and leadership coaching practice helping veterans and other professionals realign their work and lead with purpose.
• Erny runs Bus Pro Network, supporting school transportation leaders across California with training and development.

Subscribe to the show on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for clips, prompts, and behind-the-scenes updates.

If this episode resonated, please leave a review, as it helps more leaders find us.

If you’re stepping into leadership for the first time (or thinking about it) this episode is your warning label and your playbook.

Ryan and Erny break down what they wish they knew before they ever had direct reports: why leadership is more about people than technical skill, why your motivation matters more than your title, how to handle accountability for things you didn’t personally do, and what happens when you get promoted over your friends.

We also talk about the stuff nobody puts in the leadership books:

• The invisible mental load
• The emotional whiplash of “good days and bad days”
• Taking feedback when it comes in an ugly package
• The difference between “buy-in” and manipulation
• Why moving too fast as a new leader can backfire

If leadership has felt heavier than you expected, this one’s for you.

Leading ain’t easy, but you don’t have to do it alone.

Leading Ain’t Easy is hosted by Ryan Calkins and Erny Epley.

• Ryan is the founder of Reframe & Rise, a career and leadership coaching practice helping veterans and other professionals realign their work and lead with purpose.
• Erny runs Bus Pro Network, supporting school transportation leaders across California with training and development.

Subscribe to the show on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for clips, prompts, and behind-the-scenes updates.

If this episode resonated, please leave a review, as it helps more leaders find us.

Middle management is a grind: high responsibility, limited authority, and pressure from every direction.

In this episode, we break down the invisible weight middle managers carry, like being the translator, mediator, protector, and problem-solver while taking heat for things you didn’t even control. We talk burnout, boundaries, empathy, and how to implement decisions you don’t fully agree with without abandoning your integrity.

If you’re in the middle and exhausted, this one will feel familiar; and it’ll give you language (and tools) for what you’ve been carrying.

Leading Ain’t Easy is hosted by Ryan Calkins and Erny Epley.

• Ryan is the founder of Reframe & Rise, a career and leadership coaching practice helping veterans and other professionals realign their work and lead with purpose.
• Erny runs Bus Pro Network, supporting school transportation leaders across California with training and development.

Subscribe to the show on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for clips, prompts, and behind-the-scenes updates.

If this episode resonated, please leave a review, as it helps more leaders find us.