🏆 What are the traits of the BEST Coaches?

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What are the traits of the BEST Coaches?

Happy Holidays Everyone! 🎄

Coaching may be one of the most rewarding jobs or professions one can be a part of. I would argue that it is also one of the most challenging positions one could have, especially being a head coach.

I say this because it is such a dynamic job. The skillset needed to be a quality coach is incredible.

In addition to being a boys' basketball coach, I have also been a high school principal for 18 years. When people ask me what prepared me best to be a principal, without hesitation, I said, "being a varsity basketball coach".

The skill sets are very similar.

Coaching is about leadership and it is a people business, just as is being a principal. In both positions, you have to create a culture, hold others accountable, and interact and communicate with many different stakeholders. You must be willing to make tough decisions and think of the entire school or program when making them. Not everyone will be happy with the decisions you make, but you must be confident and know your decisions are grounded in what is best for the team or school.

So, what makes a great coach? I have seen many of my years in coaching and leadership.

Here are my 10 traits of the BEST Coaches.

1: They Have a Plan

”A failure to plan is a plan for failure”.

Coaches can’t wing it. The best coaches have a purpose. They have a vision.

They show their team and parents that they are prepared and organized. This organization builds confidence and trust in the team.

This is an important part of being a coach. Some coaches fly by the seat of their pants. They are always scrambling. Because coaching is so dynamic, if you are not organized, you can easily lose the trust in your team.

The art of coaching is making the complex simple.

This starts with organization and having a plan.

2: They Focus on Culture

Culture creates the heartbeat of a Team.

A coach's first job is to create culture.

When you focus on culture, you are playing the "Long Game" with your program.

What is Culture?

Culture is:

• What you Allow

• What you Emphasize

• Culture is Every Day!

Culture is not the "warm fuzzy" stuff that some believe it is.

What do you allow in your program? What do you emphasize in your program?

The best coaches ALWAYS have Culture on their minds with every decision they make.

3: They Bring Positive Energy

Energy is Contagious.

Coaches must bring positive energy. They must set the example and then surround the team with Energy Givers.

Seasons are long and adversity will happen. It is guaranteed in sports.

The best coaches are able to stay positive during tough times. But you can't just turn your energy on and off.

Coaches must bring stable and consistent energy so they can model this composure to their team.

4: They have Organizational Competency

The best coaches are "System Focused".

The pieces of the puzzle have to fit together. There is so much that goes into the style of play, player development, team development, and skill development in a program.

There are multiple teams in a program from youth to varsity that you have to align. The pieces all need to fit together.

Part of this is about being organized, but it is also more than that. It is also about thinking of the entire system of play and making sure the pieces all align.

 This organizational framework builds confidence and systemizes the program.

5: They are Mentally Tough

Coaches have to put up with a lot of Junk.

They have to have thick skin.

They have to be confident.

They can’t bring things home. They know that they are doing what is best for the team. They are able to ignore the"noise."

The best coaches learn the 20-40-60 rule early in their careers. They learn to not care about what others think and ultimately realize that people are not thinking about them as a coach anyway.

You cannot worry or think about making others happy. You will never be satisfied if you do. And you will not last long as a coach.

Be mentally tough for your team and for your own sanity.

6: They have a Growth Mindset

The best coaches have a growth mindset.

They instill this mindset in others. They are always learning. 

The best coaches have a continuous improvement mindset.

I often see the veteran coaches at the clinics with a notepad and pen writing down tons of information they are gathering at the clinic.

I am one of them.

Why?

They are always learning and believe there is always more to learn.

It works. It is a mindset.

7: They Build Positive Relationships

The best coaches are focused on building Positive Relationships with their teams.

They address issues honestly and face to face.

They do not “flock shoot” the group for an issue of a few.

Coaching and leadership are all about RELATIONSHIPS. The best coaches never lose sight of this.

Focus on your people.

Focus on the kids.

8: They Build Leaders Within

Internal Leadership is the heartbeat of a team. The best coaches are purposeful in building team leaders.

They know player lead teams WIN.

Your team leaders put out the fires behind the scenes. They are your Junior Fire Fighters.

Because of this, the best coaches are systemic in how they build leaders. It occurs at a young age and through teaching and conversation and systemic leadership development.

9: They Do Simple Better

The best coaches don’t overcomplicate things. They know simple wins.

They know less is more.

The art of coaching is making the complex simple.

Great coaches have learned this.

Always remember, it is not what you do, it is what you emphasize.

Figure out what is important to you as a coach, and then make this a priority in your program.

10: They Care

Finally, the best coaches care. 

They show their heart to their team.

They build relationships, and they work to build memories. They know that long after your players are gone, what will remain is not the wins and losses but the memories, the friendships, the stories, the bus rides, and the Culture.

Think of your season in terms of creating memories, but do it the right way!

Good Luck Coaches!

Be Great!

TWO QUOTES

"A healthy man wants a thousand things, a sick man only wants one." – Confucius

"If you think the price of winning is too high, wait till you get the bill from regret." – Tim Grover

THREE TWEETS

BOOKS: Culture WINS and Coaching GOLD

Find both eBooks, BUNDLE DEALS, & other FREE Resources here: gberge.gumroad.com. 

Paperback versions? Culture Wins on Amazon; Coaching Gold on Amazon.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

If you are looking, here are a few other resources and services I provide:

1. Sponsors: Interested in partnering with my Newsletter as a Sponsor? Contact me or reply.

2. Coach the Coaches: Looking for 1:1 Coaching? Contact me or reply.

3. Sports Leadership Summit: Book a Sports Leadership Summit for your Athletes and Coaches.

4. Leadership Workshops: Check out my other Leadership and Culture Workshops.

5. Resources: Check out my Gumroad Site for some FREE Resources for Coaches

6. Email me at [email protected] for any other inquiries. I can personalize Leadership and/or Culture Workshops for both schools and businesses.

Contact Me: Greg Berge, [email protected]