Ep 90: Coaching, therapy and the leadership potholes we keep hitting - with guest Tom Henschel

What’s the difference between coaching and therapy? Why do so many leaders struggle to speak up, set boundaries, and prepare with intention?

In this episode of Beyond Potential, Tom Emery and Tom Mason welcome back executive coach and host of The Look & Sound of Leadership podcast, Tom Henschel, for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation on leadership, coaching, self-awareness, and communication.

Together, they explore why preparation matters more than leaders realise, the growing challenge of speaking up and being heard, and how leaders can give feedback without judgement. The conversation dives into emotional responsibility, deep listening, leadership authenticity, and the pressure many leaders feel to “fix” every problem around them.

A standout moment is Tom Henschel’s brilliant analogy comparing therapy to repairing potholes in the road, while coaching helps people learn how to drive around them. It’s a simple but powerful way of understanding the role coaching can play in leadership development.

The episode also takes an unexpected turn into gardening, California wildflowers, and the importance of slowing down and staying curious.

A thoughtful, practical, and deeply human conversation for leaders, coaches, and anyone interested in personal growth.

Find Tom on LinkedIn.

Listen to The Look & Sound of Leadership Podcast: episode #246 Coaching versus Therapy.

Download the Giving Upward Feedback PDF.

Link to the Wildflower Hotline