This article and other helpful coaching tools can be found at Coach Dawn Writes
By Dawn Redd-Kelly, Head Volleyball Coach at Beloit College.
“A team with talent can be good but they must have a shared vision and a greater purpose in order to be great.”—Jon Gordon
If you’re not following Jon Gordon on Twitter and you’re a coach, go do it right now. His stuff is amazing and will make you think of the kind of team you are creating each and every day. This quote summarizes an amazing TEDtalk by Simon Sinek that totally changed how I manage my team’s culture.
Shared vision
- Who should share it? Ideally coaches first, then captains, players, your athletic administration, your team’s parents. It’s not really much of a vision if it’s not shared with and by others.
- Who creates it? You do, Coach. You find a vision that speaks to who you are as a coach and where you want your team to go and then you formalize it.
- Who nurtures it? You do. You tell your friends, neighbors, coaching colleagues…anyone who will listen! If your vision doesn’t excite you, then it won’t excite your team and they won’t have your back when you’re not around.
Greater purpose
- What is it? Why do you coach your sport? Sure, sure…to win. But what else? Most people who choose to work with young folks enjoy the maddening, frustrating, wonderfulness that makes up young adults. Somewhere in there is your purpose.
- Who should it speak to? You, your team, your assistant coaches, future players. It’s why we keep doing this crazy job even though the hours are crazy and there aren’t nearly enough thank you’s to balance out the complaints.
- Why? Because most athletes won’t compete professionally, so there’s more to it than a potential paycheck. You’ve got to believe in your value as a coach and your sport’s ability to teach life lessons that will enhance a young person’s future.
Talented teams are good. Talented teams who believe in a vision and serve a greater purpose can be great!