If you've ever had a client shut down, get defensive, or spiral into shame the moment you bring up student data, this episode is for you.

Hello, friends, and welcome to the Bright Morning podcast. I'm your host, Elena Aguilar. And in each episode, you will

learn how to lead conversations that build connection and spark change. Today we're talking

about one of the trickiest parts of coaching, navigating data conversations, especially when they get emotional. So let's get

into it. Years ago, I was supporting a coach who I'll call Vanessa, and she had a middle school

math teacher on her caseload, and I'm going to call him Marcus.

And he was kind and hardworking and deeply committed to his students.

But every time they sat down to look at student data, the conversation fell apart.

Marcus would cross his arms and he would say things like,

this doesn't show the full picture.

Or, my students don't test well.

Vanessa wanted to help, so she'd push.

She'd respond with things along the lines of,

okay, but we still need to figure out what to reteach next week. And then Marcus would shut down.

They were stuck in a loop, and it wasn't working for either of them.

So here's what I want to say.

When data conversations feel hard, it's often not about the numbers.

It's about the story we hold about what those numbers mean.

And that's where real coaching and real learning begins.

So today I want to walk you through three powerful shifts that you can make to guide data conversations with more compassion and effectiveness.

So shift one is start with story, not strategy. So before you dive into

analysis or planning, pause. Ask what's coming up for you as you look at this? Or what's the story you tell yourself about these

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