Last night, I attended my grandson’s basketball game. His team plays at a high level. The team they played showed up in rag tag, mismatched uniforms. The uniforms certainly didn’t match the players’ ball handling skills and shot effectiveness. Lesson number one: Don’t judge a team by what they wear or don’t wear. They were fierce competitors playing at the top of my grandson’s league.
Lesson number two: If a team is that good, look at the coach. I watched this man motivate and direct his team. He coached them constantly, everywhere, and under every circumstance. Constant coaching. Tons of feedback. I saw his individual coaching style. I was familiar with one of his players—a not-so-coordinated, behemoth among other, smaller players. The coach literally remained in this player’s face, delivering constant feedback. His style was reminiscent of the leadership studies I conducted.
He did three things. First, he provided constant and direct feedback. He literally taught MORE material to this player. Second, he was clear in his high expectations and never shied away from them during the game. The giant understood what was expected of him. Third, at the end of each coaching encounter, he gave this young man a fist bump or high five to show him that he cared for him.
I studied and practiced leadership in the military, coaching, and in business. This coach conducted a 40-minute leadership clinic. His team won by ten points, but that’s not the greatest win of the night. His players won by their exposure to an effective coach who taught them things that will help them win in the game of life.
Tom Reilly is the author of Coaching for Sales Success, Motivation Press.
