Can Coaching and Compassion Really Bring Change?

My son and his family moved in with us just a month ago.

When word got out, concerned calls poured in from other family members. With our modest-sized home, they wondered: where would everyone fit? How would we manage the hubbub while working from home? And since Jim and I have only been married two years, how did he feel about suddenly gaining a full household?

So many questions. So many ways this could go sideways.

Honestly, we weren’t sure either. But when a crisis hits, you do what’s needed—and figure the rest out as you go.

Now, four weeks in, I find myself witnessing a daily masterclass in Loving Leadership.

This week, I want to share what I’ve seen in my husband. Next week, I’ll tell you about my son and daughter-in-law.

Jim leads with love by coaching and teaching every day. A top high school soccer goal scorer in his youth, Jim had exceptional coaches. He learned the values of the Beautiful Game and absorbed a coaching mindset from the best. Now, he blends that with his own gentle, good-humored nature into something I recognize as Loving Leadership.

I see him noticing what my son and his family are struggling with—whether it’s a gap in awareness or an unhelpful habit—and then quietly offering support. He talks with me about what he sees, then gently coaches them using questions, examples, and encouragement. 

No shame. No judgment. Just care. The impact is real.

Just last weekend, I came into the dining room to find Jim and my daughter-in-law co-leading meal planning for the week with the entire family. Together, they created a healthy dinner schedule, complete with assignments and a shopping list.

Jim shared that stepping into the garden each morning will reset their circadian rhythm. Now they’re doing it too. They've shifted from late nights and sluggish mornings to 6 a.m. walks—and even runs. They feel better. They look better. My son has gained 10 pounds—good weight—after years of unhealthy habits.

Even more powerful: they’re connecting. Talking more. Laughing more. Planning more. Our daughter-in-law recently said she’s never felt so happy, safe, and calm. From this new foundation, they’ve found new jobs, enrolled their daughter in pre-K, and are facing life’s responsibilities with more confidence.

It’s clear: people thrive when someone believes in them and shows them how to overcome obstacles and be successful. That’s true at home. And it’s true at work.

Sometimes, folks join our teams wounded, mistrusting, or stuck. They don’t need fixing. They need someone who sees and believes in them, and then takes time to coach them and walk beside them as they grow.

That’s Loving Leadership. And Jim’s living it, right here at home.