People development or athletic achievement?
The both/and of development...not either/or.
We often pit people vs. results against each other.
I would guess a strong majority reading this email would agree they need not be at odds with each other.
In fact, both are necessary at a high level.
Personal Development
When you develop the person in areas like character, perspective, unselfishness, resilience, faith (if applicable), etc...you are also developing the athlete in these as well.
And who doesn't want a team full of high-character, unselfish, resilient, athletes?
Results/Athletic Development
When you develop the athlete and they see results, your 'voice' has more impact and you have more street cred with the person.
So when you talk about personal development, they are much more likely to listen and buy-in.
It is a win/win.
Caricature of Each
I read an article the other day that created a rigid dichotomy. The article was slanted toward transformational leadership. (Which I agree with...just not how they framed this topic.)
The article painted this picture of both:
-Transformational leaders do care about winning but know that personal development is the foundation of their program. (I agreed with the caricature of the transformational coach)
-Transactional leaders are serial killers who hate people and don't just want to win but actually want everyone to hate them in the process.
That might be a little exaggerated but you get the idea. (I disagreed with the caricature of the transactional coach)
I literally don't know the coach who says "I am 100% transactional. People don't matter"
I also don't know the leader who says "I am 100% transformation, and wins don't matter."
In observing a ton of leaders, I think each leader falls on a spectrum.
Some lean towards transactional but we would be foolish to think this person doesn't desire to create an environment where people develop in all areas of life.
Some lean transformational. But again, we would be foolish to think that this leader doesn't have a deep desire to win games.
Litmus Test
Even though most leaders fall closer to the middle than one extreme, even they can get into a ditch. The ditch of "It's ALL about winning." Or "It's all about personal development."
Question
- Transactional: When you lose/things don't go your way, do you resent your athletes? Is the first thought "What do people think of me now that we lost?"
- Transformational: When you lose/things don't go your way, do you chalk it up to "I am about holistic development, so I can't worry or focus on the outcomes?" Do you think things like "Administration is all about wins and loses and I am about so much more."
If you answered yes to resenting your athletes or worried about what people think of you, you need to recalibrate your focus on pouring into the kids and getting your eyes off yourself. You will actually become a better coach and leader when you genuinely invest in them as people.
If you answered yes to thinking administration is only about wins, you might want to spend some time thinking about how you can help your athletes get better so they can taste the excitement of a win. (Or turn up your recruiting efforts)
Good Question
I love the exercise of fast-forwarding to your retirement party. What do you want those you coached to say about you?
The chances are high that a person who shows up will say how you positively impacted them.
A Better Question
So maybe the better question is how many of your former players will show up to your retirement party?
If you think 10 out of the hundreds of players would show up, would that create urgency for you to change how you are leading?
What about if 75 of the hundreds showed up? What are you currently doing that creates that type of response?
My Experience
I pitched in college for a coach who had a long line of people wanting to get into his retirement party.
He cared deeply about his guys, got to know them, and was engaged in their lives.
He also was extremely demanding, challenged his pitchers at insane levels, and helped them get better. He helped a majority of his athletes win championships and fulfill their goals and dreams.
He had a massive impact both personally and athletically.
Challenge
Ask 5 athletes who played for you in the last couple of years to give you feedback.
Some possible questions to ask the people you lead:
1. Scale of 1-10 (10 high): How much did you feel like you mattered as a person when in my program?
2. What do you think your teammates would give me (1-10)?
3. What were the circumstances around those times you didn't feel cared for?
4. If there was one thing I could do that made you feel like you mattered as a person, what would that be?
5. If there was one thing I could do to be a better leader of this program so we can win more games (other than improve recruiting), what would that be?
I'll end with this. One perspective that might be helpful is to recognize you and your team have a goal (to win a championship) but your mission is to develop elite men and women. The goal gives you something to center everyone on, the mission is the truly important work.
Click here to learn about/order my book The Leadership Greenhouse
------
One of my weekly disciplines is scouring the internet for articles/tweets I can learn from and/or use with those I work with. Below are two that I hope help encourage and equip you.
Article 1- MUST WATCH***You don't have to wait until you're 50!
Article 2- Great question to ask!
Podcast: Graham Neff. AD at Clemson. Total stud!
------
Five Ways I Can Help:
1 on 1's - A powerful solution to combat the isolation and loneliness that often accompanies leadership. Leading with excellence can be an uphill battle, but you don't have to face it alone. My 1-on-1 coaching is designed to be your trusted thought partner, offering thought-provoking, perspective-enhancing questions that ignite fresh insights and clarity. My mission is the help you gain precision like clarity of your strengths, motives, identity, and energy so that you can be the best version of yourself and a truly exceptional leader for your people. My personalized approach ensures that each session is tailored to meet your specific needs and goals.
Here is a testimony from a 1 on 1 client: "Travis has helped me become a better leader. Travis has helped me organize my thoughts and has given me so much clarity on how to lead on a day-to-day basis. There is no doubt that he is the biggest asset to my leadership and has reenergized my coaching style." Jeff Duncan, Head Baseball Coach, Kent State
360' Leadership Assessment - I have yet to meet an elite leader who isn’t hungry to grow and improve. The problem is when you become a head coach, feedback gets more and more rare. Let Travis take you through a 360’ review that will shine a spotlight on your superpowers (strengths) and also identify ways in which you can get better. This is for high-level leaders with a hunger to continue to improve! Email Travis at travis@kingdomcoachingtw.com to learn more or get started.
Interview Prep - The person who lands to job isn't always to best leader or coach. It is often the leader or coach who is able to articulate their vision, principles, and strategies the best. In order for us to be our best during an interview, we need to prepare. Let us help you get ready so you can land your dream job! Email Travis at travis@kingdomcoachingtw.com to learn more or get started
Speaking - During this transformative experience, I will guide you through the essential principles that lay the foundation for an elite environment in your program. Our approach is entirely interactive, ensuring an engaging and dynamic learning journey for all participants.
The Tribe - What are your pain points? What do you need to do to become a better leader? To create a better environment? Join a group of like-minded coaches who get together (via Zoom) every 2nd and 4th Monday to discuss and work through principles and frameworks to help you become a better leader.
If this email was passed on to you, and you want to subscribe... CLICK HERE!