Have you ever had a great coach? Or been one? The topic of coaching is on my mind often because it is vital in two of my favorite things – business and sports. As a player, fan, and an executive, I’ve had and seen some great coaching. I am always striving to improve my skills and be a great coach. But what does it take?
Do coaches get too much credit or not enough? I spent several days this summer watching our son compete at the top boy’s club volleyball tournaments in the US. The winning coach of the national championship team in the 17-year-old division posted a video of herself pacing before the quarterfinals against my son’s team and saying that coaching is harder than playing. Is it? Or is that just how she felt in the pressure of the moment? She’s worth a follow for interesting and fun takes on coaching and life. One reason that this national champion coach cited that makes coaching harder than playing is that a coach can definitely make her team lose but only players can make their team win. I have similar thoughts about parenting. I wonder how many coaches, many of whom are former players, would say coaching is harder than playing. What do you think?
I have played but never coached sports, so I don’t really know which is harder. What I do know is that when done at their best, coaching and playing demand a tremendous amount of work and dedication and can be extremely rewarding. I am a big fan of it all in sports and business.
How much difference can a great coach really make? If we look at how much coaches are paid on top sports teams, it implies that people paying the bills think that coaches make a dramatic difference. I’m definitely a believer that coaching matters; however, I also think the “market” often overpays for supposedly superior coaches in sports and business only to be disappointed.
On another note, there was a high profile exit of a coach from one of my favorite sports teams last month. It was so bad that I won’t even write about specifics because I don’t want to give that coach more attention. One aspect that struck me the most about that situation is how much negative information about his coaching and character came to light AFTER his departure. Why is that?
We focused on coaching in July for the Conscious Conversations monthly series that I’m leading for the Houston Chapter of Conscious Capitalism. One idea from business leaders is that excellent coaches remove roadblocks. A practical tip that leaders recommend is to ask regularly, “What roadblocks can I remove for you?” In Conscious Leadership, John Mackey and his co-authors say, “…conscious leaders recognize that it is part of their own role to be a coach, and they work to encourage that recognition in every leader and team member within the organization.” I’m working on that. Are you?
Ready for another idea that has stuck with me about coaching? As a kid in Houston, one of the first coaches I ever admired was legendary Stetson-wearing Houston Oilers football coach, Bum Phillips. Several years ago, I got to hear a former player talk about being willing to “run through a wall” for Bum. That’s a thought that I come back to over and over again. How can I be a leader and coach that inspires people to “run through a wall” with me? What could my teams accomplish if I’m able to do that?
OK, one more thought for today. During a tough time when I was CEO of an investment firm, this 2-minute video from Olympian coach and player Kara Lawson inspired me. I shared it with the whole team during an all-hands meeting to communicate my struggle and hopefully propel our team forward. My favorite part, “It will never get easier. What happens is you handle hard better.” Still working on that. How about you?
What are your thoughts on coaching? I’ve got more ideas and questions on the parallels and highs and lows of coaching, leading, parenting, and being a sports fan, but I’ll pause here for now. Let’s coach more in 2024!
TAMMIRA 