From building cohesive teams to transforming how leaders listen—Ryan Smith’s journey shows how curiosity, structure, and real psychological safety turn groups into high-performing teams.In this episode, Ryan shares how certification sharpened his “beginner’s mind,” helped him slow down tactical instincts, and strengthened his capacity to coach the person—not just the problem. His story is a testament to practicing presence, recording and reviewing your own coaching, and using simple, powerful questions to spark awareness.Ryan discusses why agreements, shared definitions of “done,” and non-competitive space matter—plus how pausing, validating, and asking “What?” (not “Why?”) de-escalates conflict and unlocks collaboration. He demystifies team vs. group coaching, explains how to handle the naysayer in the room, and shows why leaders must nurture confidence, not just competence.Today, Ryan is helping organizations become places people get to work, not have to work—proving that leadership rooted in curiosity, clarity, and community can solve complex challenges and elevate culture. His story is a powerful example of how self-regulation, structure, and support create conditions for growth, resilience, and sustainable performance.Together, they explore• Ryan’s path from consulting and workshops to ICF-aligned coaching• How certification built “muscle memory” for presence and curiosity• Team vs. group coaching—and why rowing in one direction requires shared “done”• Psychological safety, team agreements, and clarifying success up front• Handling tension and conflict with validation, pause, and precise questions• Coaching the person vs. jumping to tactics (and catching leading questions)• Practices outside sessions: buffers, journaling, sport-style reps, mindfulness• Language shifts: from “why” to “what,” and noticing “always/never/impossible”• The introverted coach: protecting energy while facilitating big rooms• Building cultures where every voice contributes to collective outcomesThis is a must-listen for anyone passionate about leadership, team culture, and coaching craft. Ryan’s lens highlights how clarity, agreements, and a coach’s mindset redefine success—together.Tune in for an energizing, practical conversation about team coaching, psychological safety, and leading with curiosity.Chapters00:13 Introduction to Ryan Smith & Unearthed Coaching01:33 From operations/consulting to coaching (why certification)04:00 Team vs. group coaching—what changes in the room09:29 Safety, agreements, and Google’s “Project Aristotle” insight12:23 Defining success together to avoid hidden assumptions17:06 Language, bias, and creating the pause in leadership20:12 Handling tension & the “naysayer” (validation, space, inquiry)28:44 Self-regulation: beginner’s mind & avoiding leading questions31:09 Preparing outside the session: buffers, rituals, presence33:56 Journaling for deeper self-inquiry (coaching yourself with “what”)37:26 Why “what” beats “why” for progress (and when “why” helps)40:58 Passion, confidence, and empowering leaders behind the scenes46:50 The introverted coach: energy, facilitation, and sustainable practice51:35 The Big Question: What’s the best way to discover passion—and build life around it?55:56 Where to find RyanWhere to Find Ryan SmithWebsite: https://www.unearth-coaching.ca/LinkedIn: Ryan Smith https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-smith-19387aa6/Where to Find Coach AcademyWebsite: https://canadacoachacademy.com/Nathalie on Instagram: @nathalieblais.ceoNathalie on LinkedIn: @nathalieblaisCoach Academy LinkedIn: @coachacademygroup#Leadership #Coaching #TeamCoaching #GroupCoaching #PsychologicalSafety #GrowthMindset #Curiosity #Community #Innovation #TeamCulture #PersonalGrowth #CoachAcademy #TransformationalCoaching