Reader,
Over the last two years, I have been working towards my OFC Professional Diploma and it’s been an awesome experience.
The course itself lasted around a year covering topics such as leading self, leading others, leading culture and the business of football. Beyond the course, there are a huge number of tasks, reports and assignments to complete along the way.
Prior to the Pro License course I was lucky enough to undertake a leadership course with High Performance Sport New Zealand, with leaders across sport – both of these experiences have added real value to my coaching.
These courses tend to prompt deep reflection, introspection and clarity about who you are as a coach, leader and person.
Getting clear on your values, principles and communication style are crucial coaching ingredients, and I believe, experience is the most essential factor in establishing these. More so, the value of sharing stories and connecting with coaches can assist in confirming or adapting your own approach.
Leadership is a deep topic, one of the most written-about subjects and something that doesn’t come naturally to a lot of people.
I currently lead a staff of 32 coaches in a club context and my biggest challenge leading into a new season is ensuring all of them feel supported and ready to perform at their best. I am fortunate to have a group of engaged, enthusiastic and open-minded staff.
As a coach, I believe that how we lead our players can make or break a season, campaign or the experience for the players.
Three Things to Consider
- What kind of role model are you? When ‘pressure’ comes on and emotion is in play, are you so clear in your values that they act as pillars that keep you on course?
- Are you consistent? In my experience, players thrive on consistency, both in terms of the environment, and also how you connect, communicate and behave.
- Do you have mentors or role models in coaching who you can turn to in order to check, challenge or debate? Surrounding yourself with a strong network and a personal mentor can add real value to your coaching.
One thing for you to try this week
Write down your personal values. Establish what they are, and then consider how they impact your performance as a coach.
Remember, like players, you are a person first and a coach second. Coaching should never define who we are, but for most of us it’s a passion, and all of us can (at times) become over-invested in the craft.
One Critical Resource on the Topic
Check out this Masterclass Discussion with authors and coaches, Keith and David Mayer on the importance of authentic leadership in coaching.
