Jim Troughton: Communication, Clarity and Culture

In this episode of Reports from Arbroath, we sat down with Jim Troughton, former Warwickshire captain and now assistant coach at Surrey, to explore the art of coaching, the evolution of cricket, and the very human elements that underpins success in professional sport. Jim’s insights are honest, grounded, and full of lessons for players, coaches, and leaders in all walks of life.

1. Coaching Is Human Work First

One of Jim’s biggest takeaways is that coaching isn’t just about stats, drills, or strategy, it’s about people. As a coach, your role is to understand how individuals tick, what motivates them, and how to support them through highs and lows. It’s less about delivering lectures and more about listening, adapting, and guiding. “The best coaches,” Jim says, “are the best communicators.”

2. Empathy and Emotional Intelligence Matter

A recurring theme in the conversation is the value of empathy. From his playing days to his current coaching role, Jim reflects on how the most impactful figures in his career were those who connected on a personal level. He talks about learning from Neal Abberley, Steve Rouse, and Steve Perriman, and how he has learned from their different caching approaches to find his own style.

3. Winning Isn’t Everything, Sustaining Success Is Harder

Jim opens up about the pressure that comes after winning. Sustaining excellence is a different challenge altogether. After guiding Surrey to multiple trophies, he shares how expectations change, how complacency can creep in, and how evolving your approach is essential to staying ahead.

4. The Player-to-Coach Transition Requires Reinvention

Moving from dressing room leader as a player, to coach isn’t a linear progression… it’s a reinvention. Jim shares how becoming a coach meant unlearning certain habits from his playing days and embracing a whole new mindset. Coaching is less about being the best player in the room, and more about creating an environment where others can thrive.

5. Coaching Across Eras Means Constant Learning

With changes in cricket, from formats to attitudes to media exposure, Jim is constantly learning and evolving as a coach. He’s a student of all sports, drawing insights from football, American sports, and beyond. He believes good coaches should look outside their own bubble for inspiration.

Jim Troughton’s story reminds us that behind every great athlete is often a great coach, and behind every great coach is someone who listens more than they speak. Whether you’re mentoring a team, managing a group, or simply trying to be a better communicator, his lessons resonate far beyond the boundary rope.

You can subscribe to Reports From Arbroath:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
RSS