Powerful Coaching Lessons

from our athletes and from the gospels

This week has been full of big wins for Kenya. Our athletes did us proud at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, placing us on top of the medal charts. We celebrate them and share in their glory even if some of us couldn’t sprint to save our lives!

We truly come from the land of athletic champions and are champions ourselves(lol).

While living vicariously through our champions, I’ve also been reflecting on coaching. Over the past week, I’ve revisited lessons about how good coaches and clients show up in coaching conversations.

As coaches in training we were constantly reminded to Always Be Coaching with a caveat of course: seek permission first, or risk irritating people. With that mindset in place, I been noticing fascinating coaching moments, sometimes in unlikely places.

You might find my examples surprising just as I did.

Coaching lessons in Luke 7:31–35

“To what shall I compare the people of this generation? … They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’”

This passage which we read on Wednesday reminded me of three core coaching principles:

1. Powerful metaphors help people see reality from a new angle.
2. Powerful questions invite deeper reflection.
3. Attentive presence—listening for cues beneath the surface—opens doors for real insight.

Jesus models all three, challenging His listeners to examine how they respond to life’s invitations.

Coaching in Luke 16:1–13

Today’s gospel, the parable of the shrewd steward, was rich with coaching wisdom.

The story begins when a rich man calls his steward to account:

“What is this I hear about you?”

That single question forces the steward into deep reflection. In many ways, the rich man acts like an excellent coach, and the steward behaves like a committed client:

• He faces reality: acknowledging that dismissal is imminent.
• He names his constraints: “I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg.”
• He spots opportunity: his master’s debtors hold a possible way forward.
• He designs a plan: a clear, achievable course of action.
• He follows through: executing decisively on his strategy.

This is a textbook example of evoking awareness, exploring options, and committing to next steps, the very heart of effective coaching.

Great coaching conversations lead to clear vision and deliberate action. Just as our runners no doubt benefitted from their coaches who helped them train with discipline and strategy. Professional coaches in coaching conversations likewise coaches engage their clients with presence, curiosity and powerful questions. And this way help their clients achieve great results with clear plans and follow-through.

As we celebrate our athletes’ victories, let’s also celebrate the wisdom tucked inside these vicotries to spur us to greater heights in our everyday engagements.