As part of the attendance to every class I teach, I like to ask a thought-provoking question that students reflect upon. Reflection is one of the most valuable assets a leader can possess, as it allows them to continuously refine and rethink their practices for the better. One of my favourite questions to ask when teaching the course is for students to contemplate the #1 way to excel as a coach or leader. How do you get the best out of your athletes/participants at any level of sport/recreation or working with people? If students think about this on a deeper level, my goal is to help them identify what is truly the priority when working with athletes, participants, or people in any setting across their future careers.

They already know my answer. The #1 way to excel as a coach has nothing to do with what we typically see at the high-end of sport. It’s not to win. It’s not to help turn athletes pro. It’s not even anything to do with mastering sport-specific skills.

It’s to inspire athletes on an individual level.

You do that by showing athletes that you care. By listening to them. By asking them questions about their lives outside of sport. By creating an over-arching environment in which you consistently show up as your best self, and allow everyone around you to feel comfortable doing the same.

This is what the vast majority of students recognize. They recognize the power of showing athletes that you care, taking time to understand participants on an individual level, listening, empathizing, communicating, and having fun with them.

If you can do this, the rest will fall into place. You will get all those positive outcomes that you’re looking for. You will win more matches. Help athletes turn pro. They’ll master all those sport-specific skills.

Why? Because you’ve inspired them to stay with you, to stay in the sport. Day after day. Year after year. Continuing that development process in a way that feels meaningful to them. This is the #1 way to excel as a coach or leader. This is how you get the best out of those that you lead.

If you’re interested in taking Coaching Craft with me online, here is an audio preview of the course that speaks to this topic!

Thanks for reading and see you soon!