honesty


Your Success Is Directly Proportionate to Your Ability to Be Incredibly Honest With Yourself

In today’s guest post Kathleen Gage invites you to become honest about your coaching business.

Your Success Is Directly Proportionate to Your Ability to Be Incredibly Honest With Yourself

by Kathleen Gage

"Your Success Is Directly Proportionate to Your Ability to Be Incredibly Honest With Yourself" by  Kathleen Gage

A few weeks ago I completed my first ever marathon. Crossing the finish line at the 26.2 mile marker was my gift to myself for my 61st birthday.

It’s likely I hold the distinction of being the last to cross the finish line for the 2015 Eugene Marathon and yet, as many of my friends and colleagues have said, “You finished.”

The challenge with believing finishing is as good as it gets is that I’m fooling myself to believe I did my best. Looking back I know I could have done a heck of a lot better.

Here’s why…

From the start, I hired a coach to work with me. My coach recommended a three prong approach to the process.

  • Power walk training
  • Healthy eating
  • Resistance training

It didn’t take but a few training days to notice the number of parallels in training and completing a marathon to running a business. I became keenly aware as to why many people barely reach their potential in virtually anything they attempt.

In order to be successful we have to be willing to get really honest about what we are and are not doing to reach our maximum potential.

We also have to have a multi-prong approach to what we do. In business this includes product/service creation, marketing and sales. There’s more than just these three, but for the sake of this post, I’ll use the comparison of product/service creation, marketing and sales.

In addition, we have to manage our self talk. You know the talk… it’s that part of us that tries to get us to quit or to say, “What in the world were you thinking?”

Although I completed the marathon, I can honestly say I could have done much better if I would have balanced the three prong approach my coach recommended.

From the start my primary focus was on training every day to improve my time and distance with power walking. Although I would occasionally eat the way my coach recommended, I wasn’t consistent. Nor was I consistent with the resistance training.

I wanted to do the “fun” stuff. How often do we see this in business? Entrepreneurs are often very creative individuals. We love coming up with ideas. We love mapping out those ideas, but more times than not the areas that are lacking are marketing and sales.

Entrepreneurs fool themselves into believing they are doing all they can to be the best at what they do, but fail to put as much effort into areas that may not be as much fun as the creation side of things.

One area that is crucial to our success is to have the clarity, energy and focus to get things done. Running a successful business is not just about creating ideas, it’s about implementation.

If we don’t have the energy for implementation we are shortchanging ourselves and our customers and clients.

One of the most immediate ways to improve our energy is to notice what we are putting into our bodies. It’s likely most people have heard, “Garbage in, garbage out.”

On the flip side, “Good stuff in, good stuff out.”

About Kathleen Gage

As an early adopter of online marketing, Kathleen Gage is known for cutting through the fluff and helping people leave their sob stories behind so they can stop focusing on the past and start looking towards the future. She speaks and teaches about what she believes are the core elements of a successful life: accountability, integrity, honesty, and living with passion and hope.

Although Kathleen Gage is best known for her no nonsense approach to life and business, when she’s not working with clients, creating information products, writing books or speaking on the platform, Kathleen can be found training for a marathon, walking her dogs, working in her many flower gardens, feeding her horses or playing a fierce game of cards.

Access 3 Must Do’s in Marketing at http://www.powerupforprofits.com/

 

 

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HOW WILL YOU WIN YOUR FIRST GAME….YOUR NEW TEAM?

With 20 years sports coaching experience DeAngelo Wiser specialises in leadership. In today’s guest post, which can be easily transposed into other team contexts, Coach Wiser shares some of his experience and knowledge of working with teams.

HOW WILL YOU WIN YOUR FIRST GAME….YOUR NEW TEAM?

by DeAngelo Wiser
Wiser Sports Leadership

"HOW WILL YOU WIN YOUR FIRST GAME....YOUR NEW TEAM?"  by DeAngelo Wiser Wiser Sports LeadershipThere’s nothing like coaching a team for the first time, whether it’s your very first job, or if you’ve been around awhile and are just taking over another team. How will you gain trust and convince them you have their best interests at heart? Why should they believe you’re different from, better than, or as good as the last coach or coaches they’ve dealt with?

Parents and players in the audience don’t care if your record is 300-0, you’ve coached 100 All-Americans and won 7 National Titles. A successful past will certainly open many doors and extend your grace period of renewed hope for the program. But these parents and players are mainly concerned with what you can do for them.

That’s why one of the keys to getting off to a great start is to gear your comments toward them, not your accomplishments.

Certainly, each situation is different. But a team that’s had two or three coaches in a short span of time often is among the most challenging ones you could face. They will be callused to most of what you’re saying–they’ve heard the speech before and have become skeptical. Can you blame them? It becomes paramount that everything you say can be translated into immediate, concrete actions that are visible to the team.

What will make you different?

1. ACTIONS– Everyone associated with the team will hear 50% of what you say, but will be watching 100% of the time to see if your actions are true to your words. If you know you can’t deliver something, don’t say you’ll do it.

2. CREDIBILITY– Are you a coach of your word? Let players know as soon as possible if they aren’t the right fit for your system, and or you don’t see them playing much. Often upperclassmen from the previous year will still be on the team because the previous coach didn’t want to make the decision to let them go. Never think that players will “get the message” and leave on their own. Be strong and let them know before it gets out of hand. Disgruntled players can destroy your team.

3. HONESTY– If you make a mistake, admit it. If you see something that isn’t right, take care of it. Players need to know you’ll stand up for them and make the right decision based on expectations and values, not favorites.

4. PROMISES– This word should be used in a very meaningful way. Promises broken or never addressed will destroy your relationship with players and parents. A promise is an assurance that an expectation will be met.

5. VISION– Lay out your vision for the team, and begin work on it immediately. Mention it every day in how it relates to specifics in practice and games. The passion for that vision will spread to your players and continue to grow.

6. WORK ETHIC– Be a fireball of energy, passion and enthusiasm working at every chance. Be an example for your team and they will follow. Always outwork your team, and never have them do something you are unwilling to do.

7. CONSISTENCY– Never waiver in any decision with respect to expectations and discipline. Always be consistent. Players need to know you mean what you say. You can never make everyone happy, but you can base decisions on sound principles.

8. COMMUNITY PROJECTS– Get your team involved in important community projects. The chance to help others shows them life is more than a game.
The sense of accomplishment of helping others as a team is a feeling that cannot be matched.

9. INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS– Nothing means more to a player than having a coach who is willing to sit down, listen and meet with them on an individual basis. This is a wonderful time to discuss individual goals, and how you can help them become a reality.

10.TEAM BUILDING– Take the time to use any and all team building activities to bring your team together. If possible, take them on a ropes course. These are wonderful activities that challenge their decision making, leadership, teamwork and physical ability. If they’ve had several coaches they need that bond to tie them all together.

11. TEACH, TEACH, TEACH– At every opportunity teach your players goal setting, work ethic, expectations, motivation, personal discipline, nutrition, skills, tactical awareness, character, integrity, values, teamwork, leadership, respect, courtesy, humility, unselfishness, etc. You have a unique situation with a wonderful audience. Take advantage to make a difference in their lives.

It takes time for players from a team of many coaches to trust anything you say. There are no quick, “fast food” fixes. Don’t rush it. Remember that every day is a building block for you to prove that you have their best interests at heart and that you’ll do anything possible to help them be successful.

The beginning is always the most challenging. Selfish words from certain parents, an attitude from certain players, and the lack of skills and knowledge that you’re used to can be overwhelming. That’s when your true color will shine through.

This team needs you. Never doubt that this is the place you need to be and the joy of building this program will be one of the most rewarding aspects of your career. Anyone can coach a team of all-stars. The biggest challenge is to get them to play together. Show me a coach who can build a team from nothing, get them to believe in each other and accept their roles, and I’ll show you a coach of the year.

There’s a TV show that uses the phrase, “You are being watched every hour of every day.” It’s an appropriate phrase as you begin that new coaching job. While you can’t dwell on it, just keep in mind that your actions not your words will carry more impact with your players than anything else.

I wish you and your team the best in 2014.

About DeAngelo Wiser

Founder, Wiser Sports Leadership:

Experience in Coaching, Business and Teaching clearly give us the edge in assisting you, your team, and or business achieve their goals. We deal in what works, not theories.

Our leadership program for coaches, players, teams, organizations and business is based on five main principles as the foundation of success:

Character and Integrity as the cornerstones, with Optimism/Positive Outlook, Enthusiasm/Passion, and Confidence solidly placed between Character and Integrity. http://wisersportsleadership.blogspot.com/2013/07/laying-foundation-for-leadership.html

“Character and Integrity are worn everyday, regardless of the weather.”

“Leadership never rests”

“Lead with a passion”
Former Head Coach, High School Girls Soccer

20 years, 223 victories, currently ranked 4th all-time in state of KY, coached in 357 games.

4 State Playoff Elite Eights, 4 Regional Championships, 7 District Championships, 2 Regional Runner-ups

Kentucky High School Girls Coach of the Year

Kentucky Soccer Officials Sportsmanship Team of the Year

Owe it all to God, Wonderful Wife, Outstanding Players, and dedicated Assistant Coaches

35 players earned scholarships to collegiate level

Founder, Five Star Soccer Camps

Member NSCAA since 1994

National and Advanced National Diploma, NSCAA

Team Building, Motivation, Life Lessons and Bringing Teams Together are my passion!!

Compiling material for my book, “Coaching the Coach”

https://www.facebook.com/WiserSportsLeadership

http://wisersportsleadership.blogspot.com/

Twitter @coachwiser

co********@***il.com


9 Traits Parents Wish for in Their Kids’ Coaches 4

In this week’s guest post Janis B. Meredith discusses what she wants from one specific type of coach – how many of these are similar to what the people who use your coaching want?

9 Traits Parents Wish for in Their Kids’ Coaches

by Janis B. Meredith

Parents of athletes are not looking for flawless humans to coach their kids. We realize there is no perfect coach.

But we do have a wish list. As a coach’s wife for 27 year and a sports parent for 17, I know what I want in a coach and I’m pretty sure most sports parents would agree. I appreciate a coach who:

1. Speaks honestly in the pre-season. Kids do not want coaches to make false promises of playing time or of how they are needed, or tickle their ears with words like “You will be a leader on the team”—and then not follow through. Coaches should be up front with players about their role on the team.

As a high school softball coach, my husband has had many honest talks with girls before the season about their role on the team. If they will have a back-up role, he tells them so. They may not like what he says, but at least they know exactly where they stand.

2. Keeps consistent with the rules. Moms, dads, and players want a coach who makes all players—yes, even the team star—abide by the same rules. If the team rule is that two fouls in the first half puts you on the bench, then a coach should not bend those rules just because she desperately needs that player on the court. What kind of message does it send if we let an athlete think that they are above the rules?

3. Clearly communicates to parents. Parents like printed practice, game, and team meal schedules. They like having a team parent who reminds them to work the snack bar. They like a coach who plans ahead and then lets parents know the plans. As parents, we’ve got a lot to remember and when coaches take the time to clearly communicate, it lessens the conflicts and confusion in our homes.

4. Clearly communicates to players. I love it when I see a coach who, when he pulls a player out of the game, take a few seconds to coach him. Kids need to know what they did wrong and what they did right. How else will they improve? Trouble is, many coaches will not take the time to do this during the game. They pull a kid, then keep them guessing as to what they did wrong. Frustrating.

5. Pushes and challenges players. My kids’ favorite coaches were ones who challenged them and pushed them to be better players. Neither parent nor child wants a coach who acts as a babysitter and does not help them improve their performance. As a football and softball coach, my husband says that if an athlete does not leave his team as a better person and player, he has not done his job as a coach.

Bill McCartney, former coach of the Colorado Buffaloes says it this way: “All coaching is, is taking a player where he can’t take himself.”

6. Treats players fairly. There’s nothing more frustrating than a coach who pulls a kid out of the game for one mistake, while leaving another player in the game who commits the very same mistake over and over. As parents, we don’t ask for special treatment for our kids, we ask for fair treatment.

7. Encourages players. Personally, I don’t mind a coach who chews on my kid, as long he balances it out with encouragement.

8. Enjoys the kids. A coach who enjoys kids—not just coaching or not just the sport—will have a greater impact on those kids’ lives. Why? Because kids will seek him out. They will be drawn to him, feel comfortable with him, and never feel like they are bothering him.

My husband is one of the best examples of this that I know. He has always loved high school kids. And the kids know it. They never hesitate to come up and talk; in fact, they often seek him out. Because he taught them how to swing a bat? Or block on the line? Maybe. But more likely because they know he likes them.

9. Models positive traits. Parents like to know their kids are in good hands, that they are spending time with people who exhibit good morals, a caring attitude, integrity, and authenticity.

Are we expecting too much from our kids’ coaches? After all, they are parents and teachers and construction workers and lawyers and doctors and grocery clerks—just like us.

Exactly.

I ask nothing more from my kid’s coach than I ask of myself.

About the Author/Further Resources

As a coach’s wife for 27 years and a sports parent for 17, Janis sees life from both sides of the bench. Follow her blog at http://jbmthinks.com, her tweets at jbmthinks and her facebook page at www.facebook.com/sportsparenting.