In this episode, I sit down with Yaron Prywes, a coaching psychologist, executive coach, and educator whose career has been dedicated to helping leaders and teams reach their full potential. We explore the transformative power of coaching—how it builds trust, unlocks self-awareness, and helps leaders navigate challenges in both public and private sectors. From resolving conflicts to fostering accountability, Yaron shares practical tools and stories that illustrate the impact of coaching. Whether you're a leader or a team member, this conversation offers valuable insights into how coaching can create meaningful change.

Yaron Prywes is a coaching psychologist, executive coach, and educator known for his innovative, visual approach to coaching. His work on visual action plans has been published in The Philosophy of Coaching: An International Journal, and he is currently authoring The Visual Coaching Handbook, which features a collection of creative, field-tested techniques. Yaron has led research on the outcomes of coaching and leadership development initiatives and previously taught Executive Coaching at Columbia University, where he supervised new coaches as they worked with live clients for the first time.

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[00:00:00] Introduction and Background

• Nancy introduces Yaron, sharing the story of how they met and his dedication to coaching.

[00:03:21] Yaron’s First Experience with Coaching

• Yaron recounts his first encounter with a career coach and how it set him on his path to coaching.

[00:04:53] Sports Coaching and Workplace Coaching

• The parallels between sports coaching and executive coaching, focusing on performance adjustments.

[00:06:50] Whole-Person Coaching

• Yaron explains the importance of seeing clients as whole individuals and how personal and professional challenges intersect.

[00:08:37] Common Scenarios for Coaching in Organizations

• Typical contexts in which coaching is introduced, particularly in public sector organizations.

[00:09:24] Case Study: Hard-Charging Leader

• A story about coaching a CFO with black-and-white thinking and the importance of diplomacy.

[00:12:40] Team Workshops Using the NBI Tool

• Yaron describes the Neethling Brain Instrument (NBI) and how it helps teams understand communication styles.

[00:17:54] 360-Degree Feedback for Leaders

• The value of 360 feedback in developing leaders and creating self-awareness.

[00:22:40] Building Agency and Accountability in Teams

• Coaching to empower teams to take ownership of challenges and build accountability.

[00:29:33] Dealing with Workplace Conflict

• A case study on resolving conflict in a utilities department through coaching and team-building exercises.

[00:32:55] Transformative Conversations and Trust

• How sharing personal highs and lows can transform team dynamics and build trust.

[00:36:44] Leadership’s Role in Creating Safe Spaces

• The importance of leaders creating safe environments to surface and address issues before they escalate.

[00:39:32] The Structure of a Coaching Engagement

• Yaron outlines the typical phases of coaching: discovery, planning, and execution.

[00:42:19] Coaching as a Hero’s...

Larry Comunale is a seasoned municipal manager whose career has spanned decades of challenges, growth, and impact. In this episode, Larry reflects on his journey from rigid labor negotiations to fostering trust-based relationships and community cohesion. He shares invaluable insights into navigating relationships with elected officials, building transparent budgeting processes, and addressing the evolving needs of diverse communities. From his practical strategies for productive conversations to his reflections on the role of community in public health, Larry's stories are both inspiring and thought-provoking. Join us as we explore the enduring lessons of leadership in local government through Larry’s eyes.

Learn more about Larry's career from the Villanova University website HERE [Excerpt below]

Larry Comunale completed a 42-year career in municipal management in 2016 when he retired as the Township Manager of Lower Gwynedd Township in April of 2016. During his career, he was the manager in three municipalities: East Stroudsburg Borough; Newtown Township (Delaware County); and Lower Gwynedd Township. Larry has been an Adjunct Faculty member in Villanova’s MPA Program since 2004 and is also an Adjunct Faculty member at Delaware Valley University in the Master of Public Policy (MPP) Program. He has served as Executive Director of the Montgomery County Association of Township Officials (MCATO). Larry is a past President of the Pennsylvania Municipal Managers Association and received the President’s Leadership Award from the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) in 2006. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s of Public Administration degree from Penn State University.

Connect with Association for Pennsylvania Municpal Management on LinkedIn

[00:00:00] Introduction to Larry Comunale and His Career

• Overview of Larry's career, his leadership roles, and his approach to municipal management.

[00:01:10] Early Career Challenges in Municipal Management

• Larry discusses transitioning from an engineer-focused management style to a generalist approach that emphasized human relations and labor relations.

[00:05:00] Evolving Perspectives on Labor Relations

• Larry reflects on his confrontational approach to union negotiations early in his career and how he shifted toward a more conciliatory and trust-based strategy.

[00:10:44] Transparency and Accessibility in Budgeting

• Larry emphasizes the importance of creating understandable budgets and using them as tools for community engagement.

[00:15:30] Navigating Relationships with Elected Officials

• Insights on maintaining open communication while setting boundaries between board members and municipal staff.

[00:22:00] Recruitment and Retention Challenges in Local Government

• Discussion on the shrinking pool of qualified candidates and the complexities of relocating for municipal roles.

[00:30:00] Community Cohesion and the Manager’s...

Board transitions can bring about hand wringing or a promise of welcome change, they may feel like a small shift or a seismic one. But at root, there are fundamental lessons to be learned if you, as the executive leader or manager, are going through one for the first time.

On today's show, we welcome Sara Gibson, Borough Manager at Camp Hill Borough, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and Scott Hutt, Assistant Manager of Hatfield Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Though the size and structure of the governments they manage differ, they both bring a wealth of knowledge about the core elements of effective onboarding.

Today we talk about the importance of patience and open communication, a structured onboarding process that also encourages mentorship and an ongoing need to balance change while preserving the core values of local government.

We hope you enjoy!

Sara Gibson has served as Manager of Camp Hill Borough for the past three years, driving progress on strategic initiatives like pedestrian connectivity, zoning updates, sewage and stormwater planning, and downtown development. Under her leadership, the Borough adopted a Climate Action Plan in 2023 through the DEP Local Climate Action program. Sara has championed environmental efforts, including the innovative StormFest public outreach event and the establishment of a Sustainability Committee. Camp Hill also participates in Bee City USA, Tree City USA, Bird Town Pennsylvania, and SolSmart programs, with Sara and her team securing grants and technical assistance to bolster these initiatives.

[00:01:10] Importance of Board Transitions in Shaping Organizational Life

• Sara reflects on her first experiences with board transitions and the challenges of being a professional manager.

[00:05:07] Onboarding New Board Members

• Scott shares his first experience with onboarding and the importance of structured, effective processes.

[00:06:21] Structuring the Onboarding Process

• Detailed explanation of onboarding approaches, including educational seminars with consultants and department heads.

[00:07:45] Building Personal Connections with Board Members

• Sara emphasizes the significance of developing personal connections and understanding board members' backgrounds.

[00:10:44] Quality Interactions Between Board Members and Staff

• Discussion on fostering trust and ensuring productive interactions through community events and informal gatherings.

[00:12:45] Setting Boundaries and Roles for Effective Governance

• Scott elaborates on defining roles and staying in lanes for efficient operations and collaboration.

[00:17:30] Community Events and Relationship Building

• Sara and Scott discuss the role of community events in creating stronger bonds among board members, staff, and the public.

[00:23:00] Navigating Difficult Transitions and Conflicts

• Nancy and Scott explore managing transitions