It is amazing to me that more junior varsity basketball coaches are not admitted into psyche wards. I’m sure that I drove mine crazy. Most days he could have stayed home from practice and just played a recoding: “Lift your head up when you dribble. Bring your elbow in on that shot. Keep your hands up on defense.” Can you hear him barking?
For me, few things can be more disheartening than having to confront or correct someone about something a second time. And the third time? I don’t even want to think about it. We talked about this already. Why is it still a problem?
Do you know the feeling? I hope I’m not alone.
Up until a few weeks ago this would frustrate me ad nauseam. Then it occurred to me:
Leadership development is continuous coaching, not instantaneous conversion.
Coaching is does not happen at once; it is about chipping away at poor habits and encouraging better practices. A team isn’t built from a handbook on best practices, they are trained (instructed, assessed, and realigned) all year long. A coach’s job is to (get this) coach!
Did they try and fail or try and slowly revert? That is progress! These “players” need instruction, encouragement, and ongoing realignment. Nudge them back on the path and keep moving forward.
Don’t get frustrated by a lack of conversion. Praise the progress and keep coaching!
