Coffee House Coaching
Coffee House Coaching is an Executive Coaching podcast where I speak with fellow Executive Coaches about their practice, their process and how they help their clients. I also speak with individuals impacted by coaching and how it has improved their lives. My goal is to shine some light on the wonderful world of Executive Coaching and explain what it is and how it works. So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, relax, and enjoy my conversations about Executive Coaching.
Coffee House Coaching
Ep 160 Scott Markowitz Gr8 Q's - The rule of 8 Mississippi's in Coaching
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Gary Nowak
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Season 4
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Episode 160
The Great Eight – Question-by-Question Breakdown:
- Best Coaching Advice Ever Received
- Let go of the “pure coaching” textbook ideal.
- Trust your gut—bring more of yourself into the session.
- Coaching isn’t about doing it “right”; it’s about making connection relevant.
- What He’s Still Improving
- Balancing being the expert with staying in inquiry.
- Constantly evaluates post-session notes to spot assumptions and adjust.
- Always working to honor what the client needs over what he thinks they need.
- Most Outrageous Thing in a Session
- Called out a highly respected (but feared) surgeon directly: “You are not succeeding.”
- Blunt honesty is his superpower—used only after trust is firmly established.
- What Still Makes Him Uncomfortable
- Sitting in the discomfort with the client and knowing change takes time.
- Coming from a profession (anesthesiology) designed to eliminate pain, this is a big shift.
- Advice to Doctors Considering Coaching
- Coaching skills make you a better clinician, parent, friend, human.
- But the mindset shift—from answer-giver to space-holder—is massive.
- Recommends shadowing a coach or having a coach before training.
- What He’s Had to Conquer
- His deep experience and diagnostic mindset often push him to “solve.”
- Coaching demands restraint, presence, and ongoing self-awareness.
- Journaling after sessions helps him stay grounded and reflective.
- How He Uses AI
- Early days. Uses it to analyze patterns in notes or brainstorm.
- No direct client interaction with AI yet. Still values the human connection.
- What He’s Learned About Himself Through Coaching
- Coaching made him a better teacher, dad, spouse, and friend.
- Self-awareness led to values-driven change.
- His coaching benefits him as much as his clients—a quiet reminder that reflection is a two-way gift.
☕ Fun Stuff
- Dream Job Origin Story?
He wanted to be Hawkeye Pierce from MASH*—not a joke. He secretly watched the show at night and fell in love with the idea of being the revered, wisecracking, skillful doctor.
Spoiler: He never dated a nurse.