The Insight: Great Coaching Isn’t About Telling - It’s About Teaching

What separates a good coach from a truly great one?

In this episode of The Insight, legendary coach Darren Cahill breaks down what elite coaching really looks like — and why the goal isn’t to give answers, but to teach players how to think for themselves.

Drawing from decades of experience coaching the very best in the world, Cahill explains why great coaching is built on communication, trust, and timing. He shares why the most effective coaches don’t try to be good at everything, why the coach–player relationship has a natural lifespan, and how the best coaches slowly work themselves out of a job by creating independent, adaptable athletes.

This isn’t just about tennis.

It’s about leadership, teaching, parenting, and knowing when guidance turns into control.

Whether you coach, lead a team, or simply want to help others grow without making them dependent on you, this insight applies far beyond the court.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why great coaching is about teaching, not telling
• How elite coaches help players problem-solve under pressure
• The difference between creating independence vs dependence
• Why communication style matters more than technical knowledge
• When it’s time for a new voice — and why that’s a good thing

The Insight

Lessons from the World’s Best in Tennis & Life

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