Want to Get Great at Something? Get a Coach
Reflections sparked by a TED Talk… and a message from my dad
This afternoon, I received a message from my father Jon S Magnusson.
That alone was enough to pause me in my tracks. He is not only my dad. He is also my mentor, my life coach, and one of the wisest mirrors in my life. When he sends me something, it matters.
This time, it was a TED Talk. Dr Atul Gawande’s “Want to get great at something? Get a coach.”
Fifteen minutes later, I was reminded why we do what we do at Positive Performances. And why no one, no matter how skilled, should ever have to walk the path of growth alone.
You Cannot See Yourself Without a Mirror
Dr. Atul Gawande, a world-class surgeon, makes a bold and beautifully honest confession. Despite his experience, he was plateauing. He felt stuck. Not in failure, but in repetition. Competence had become routine. Progress had slowed.
His solution was not more practice, more reading, or more willpower. It was bringing in a coach. A former surgeon. Someone to observe, reflect back, and help him grow.
That is the heart of the message. No matter how far you have come, you need feedback. You need someone who sees what you cannot. You need someone who helps you refine what you already do well.
Not because you are failing. But because you care about excellence.
Coaching, Mentoring, and the Space Between
Some parts of the TED Talk sound more like mentoring than coaching. The coach Dr Gawande chose was someone who had done the job before him. That fits the definition of a mentor.
But the truth is that most meaningful support lives in the space between. At Positive Performances, we embrace both. We do not draw rigid lines between coaching and mentoring. We ask instead: what does this person need to move forward, thrive, and sustain progress?
Whether it is reflective questioning, expert input, skill building, or feedback on blind spots, we deliver support tailored to real life. This is why the TED Talk resonates so deeply with our approach.
What This Means for Thriving and Performing
We work every day with professionals, students, teachers, managers, and leaders. Many are already doing well. But they want more. Not more pressure. More clarity. More direction. More impact.
And, they want to do it without losing their minds or health. Because success without wellbeing is fragile. And wellbeing without progress can feel stagnant.
Our framework at Positive Performances is clear. We want thriving individuals, outstanding professionals, and performing organisations.
To get there, you need tools. You need guidance. You need someone who can see beyond the story you are telling yourself and invite you to grow with purpose.
A Personal Reflection
This TED Talk hit home not just because of the message, but because of who shared it with me.
My father has been my guide since the very beginning. He was the first person to coach me long before I knew what coaching meant. He asked me questions that made me think. He listened without interrupting. He more than often let silence teach.
He believed that my potential was not defined by my current performance. And he still does.
That is the energy we bring into every relationship at Positive Performances. Not because we have all the answers, but because we know how powerful it is to walk beside someone who believes in your growth.
Important Note
Although parts of the TED Talk relate more closely to mentoring, the essence is completely in line with the work we do.
We build spaces for reflection, clarity, resilience, and progress. We combine coaching and mentoring to serve the real challenges of real people. And we never confuse performance with perfection.
So. Are You Ready?
Watch: Click here
Then reach out.
Not just to improve what you do. Not just to feel a little better. But to truly progress without sacrificing your mind, your health, or your sense of self.
You do not have to choose between thriving and performing. With the right support, you can do both.
And you deserve both.
Your sincerely
Krumma
