This week, I have students presenting their “Coaching Philosophy” papers. It is an assignment in a Foundations of Exercise Science course that was inspired by my reading InSideOut Coaching by Joe Ehrmann, a few years ago. They are asked to read a motivational coaching book and consider the coaches they have had and in what ways these affect how they will “coach” others in their careers. The list of coaching books tends to be pretty typical—John Wooden, Lou Holtz, Tony Dungy, Mike Krzyzewski, et al. It is always interesting to see how the assignment affects the students.
We are all coaches in some fashion. We are all asked to motivate others in our work or our homes, even if we are not involved with a sports team.
I have had many good and bad coaches ages ago, when I was an athlete. Likewise, I get to observe the coaches my children have, as well as read the philosophies of the many legendary coaches. Each teaches me a little something about motivation.
InSideOut Coaching introduced me to the concept of “transformational” versus “transactional” coaching. Likely, we have had a variety of “coaches” in our years who fall somewhere along the continuum of transformational to transactional. Likewise, we will probably find ourselves in relationships that fall along the same continuum.
Being “transformational” is Spiritual, as one of my students pointed out (more or less). It is recognizing that sports and vocation are for the purpose of building others. Transformational realizes that there are others besides self. It is “I am third”.
According to Joe Ehrmann, “coaches” must ask themselves four questions:
1. Why do I coach?
2. Why do I coach the way I do?
3. What does it feel like to be coached by me?
4. How do I define success?
It isn’t about the wins or losses. It is about making others better for the sake of society as a whole. Coaching or otherwise, we can transform lives.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!
“When people need love and understanding and support the most is when they deserve it the least.”—Lou Holtz