I thoroughly enjoy spending time with people who I can learn from. So here are my three top learning experiences from 2015.

Andrew Strauss and the Ashes

I was lucky enough to work once more with Andrew Strauss during the Easter holiday in St Lucia on the Superskills Cricket Academy.

It was wonderful to spend time with the double-Ashes winning captain, a man who leads his environment through strong adherence to his core values.

Whilst we were in St Lucia, the news broke that Paul Downton was leaving the role of Managing Director of England Cricket. Unbeknown to me at the time, Straussy had been contacted by the ECB to see if he was interested in taking up the role.

We discussed some of the key points that a new incumbent would need to address. Strauss gave me his views on each one.

It has been great to see him make those strong decisions on behalf of England cricket once he was appointed into the role only 1 week later.

Those major decisions revolved around the coaching staff, specific players and style of play.

He has dealt with the KP issue in a typically "Strauss" way, he appointed Trevor Bayliss and has been instrumental in bringing in consultants such as Paul Collingwood, Gary Kirsten, Daniel Vettori and Mahala Jayawardene who all add value and different experience into the coaching mix.

So far, Strauss has overseen an Ashes turnaround and a complete shift in the way that England play ODI cricket. They are now a joy to behold in the shorter formats.

Strauss is an authentic character. He is strong without having to shout about it and an easy man to follow. He gives his players and coaching staff the freedom to make decisions.

It was an absolute pleasure to work with Straussy again. I know that his strong valued based leadership style is one that we can all learn from as coaches, captains and players.

How the young inspire the not-so-young!

Millfield has again been a fantastic place to work and learn over the course of 2015.

I inherited a team which won only 2 games in 2014, were at a low ebb and were a disparate bunch.

We concentrated on 4 major themes in an attempt to turn around their fortunes on the field:

1. Rewrite the rules on running between the wickets.
2. To bring the stumps into play, always (either with pace or big spin).
3. To become an awesome catching team with a relentless attitude.
4. To become a bunch of good blokes through honest review, reflection and communication.

The players were awesome, everyone contributed hugely and bought into these 4 aims.

Tom Bevan and Ned Dunning were outstanding leaders in their own respective ways (authentic like Strauss) and the players demanded the best I could give them in fielding practices. By the end of the summer term I was hitting balls into practices as I used to with Paul Collingwood and Jimmy Anderson. I loved that.

They team taught me to never give up on a game of cricket! By firstly predicting the outcome and then by winning the match from a seemingly impossible situation vs Gloucestershire U15s. That got the ball rolling.

Their use of the review system (stop-start-continue) in the season was simply brilliant. The players worked concisely yet diligently to focus, inspire and motivate their way to 19 wins from 21 games and to become the National U15 T20 Champions.

Throughout the school there are now 51 County Age Group Players (boys and girls) and 23 players who are on County Academy or EPP programmes. Their hard work underpins their success. It's great to see.

George Hankins and Tom Moores left the Upper 6th form and picked up County Contracts with Gloucestershire and Nottinghamshire respectively.

George Bartlett and Tom Moores have just won places in the England Under 19 World Cup Squad which leaves for Bangladesh on the 7th January and 6 others played regional cricket at U15 and U17 levels last summer.

It's a wonderful environment for the coaching staff and I to work. A coaching playground!

Gary Kirsten Cricket Academy

In the last few weeks I was able to work alongside Gary Kirsten and his fantastic coaching team. They bought bundles of enthusiasm and knowledge with them working with 18 cricketers and 4 coaches over 3 days at Millfield.

Gary has a magnificent communication style that connects everyone that he coaches; from Indian God, Sachin Tendulkar to 11 year old Joseph Eckland.

His ability to speak simply, highlighting key words with such great enthusiasm helps connect him to every listener.

As Gary spoke I realised that I have heaps of work to do as my communication style is simply rubbish in comparison. Truly inspirational (if not a little damning!)

Another excellent year full of learning, positive experiences and being surround by fantastic influences (Young and old!).

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Maybe during a quiet moment have a go at reflecting on what you have learnt about yourself and your game (coaching or playing) in 2015?