In this edition of Coaching Minute with Brianne Ligori & Friends, Brianne sits down with Sherry Duncan — educator, keynote speaker, early childhood Indigenous navigator, and newly certified coach — for a conversation about what it really means to listen, to show up, and to lead without needing to have all the answers.
Sherry brings 40 years of experience in education to this conversation, along with a perspective that is deeply grounded in relational learning, Indigenous ways of knowing, and the kind of wisdom that only comes from decades of showing up for people. Her coaching journey — and what it revealed about how she was already leading — is something every leader needs to hear.
Brianne and Sherry explore:
Why real listening isn't advice-giving — and what it actually looks like in practice
The coaching principle of "this isn't my moment" and why it changes everything
How Sherry uses coaching skills every day — not as an add-on, but as part of who she is
What happens when you stop trying to rescue people and start trusting the process instead
Why connection is the missing piece in so many leadership environments
What it looks like to build genuine relationship across distance — and why it's more possible than most people think
Key Takeaway:
Coaching isn't something you do to people. It's a way of being with them. When leaders stop trying to fix, rescue, and solve — and start truly listening — something opens up. Trust deepens. People find their own answers. And the leader is freed from the pressure of having to know it all.
About the Guest:
Sherry Duncan is a passionate educator and leader dedicated to strengthening early childhood communities through heart, humor, and deep respect for relational learning. With a strong foundation in early childhood education, Sherry brings a thoughtful blend of practical experience and values-based leadership to every space she enters. Her work is grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and being, with a focus on relationships, storytelling, and honoring the strengths of children, families, and educators alike. Sherry is a keynote speaker, instructional facilitator, and newly certified coach — and after 40 years in education, she is still learning, still growing, and still showing up fully for the people she serves.
Tune in to hear how leaders can:
Practice listening with the intent to understand — not to fix
Release the pressure of needing to have all the answers
Build genuine connection in any environment, including virtual ones
Integrate coaching into everyday conversations rather than treating it as a separate mode
Show up with presence instead of solutions when someone needs space to be heard
If you've ever caught yourself jumping in too fast — this conversation will slow you down in the best possible way.
