This article is contributed by Bjorn Galjaardt

Does coaching means to achieve results and reach set targets? Coaching to win! However, this is only one perceived idea on coaching. True, there are goals that need to be achieved. The reality is that most coaches view coaching as a complex process that contributes to multiple facets of the individual and thus team.

Filled with curiosity about the concept of coaching, I picked the brains of seven highly regarded coaches from various backgrounds and industries. Posing the difficult question: ‘Can you describe in a few sentences what coaching means to you’?

Mrs. Gonny Farley-Reijnen. Lecturer Sport Institute CIOS | Culture Coach Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Association. Coaching for me is creating a positive performance culture. One in which everyone knows their tasks and responsibilities. A coach is there to lead everyone to the right behaviour, ensuring that they continue to grow, have the freedom to succeed and have relationships that they value. This applies to the individual as well for the team. Embrace the process!

Mr. Jay Ellis. Sports Performance / Business Academic | Academic Lecturer Australian College of Physical Education | High-Performance Consultant. My single thought: Coaching for me is all about people skills. Understanding the athlete is vital! Our job as coaches should be to develop the person before the athlete (the second will come).

Mr. Simon Daley. Head Water Polo Coach | Founder of Academy Water Polo & Goggle Project. It is the ‘self-felt joy’ of being given an opportunity of unlocking a player’s potential, so as to maximise their own performance towards success. This not only involves their on-field skill requirements but having a guide to their off-field achievements post their sporting career.

Ms. Martine Tobe. Director at Children’s Perspective Foundation | Founder Lifebook for You(th) | Board member FICE Netherlands. For me coaching is especially focussed and designed to provide a perspective for the future. Asking questions and providing a mirror to allow for self-reflection. Using positive psychology and recognising traits together to further develop. The coaching basis is providing attention to ‘growth’ possibilities. I like to focus on the qualities and contribute to a positive feeling in doing so.

Mr. Grant Jenkins. Performance Coach | Presenter | Educator | Coaching Athletes | Accelerating careers | Developing businesses. To improve the mindset of the person I am working with so they can achieve their long-term goals in life.

Mr. Bob Beusekom. Executive Director at The Executive Nomad | CFO Bright Zebra | Board member True (Family Planning Queensland). “Beat your yester self”. My view is that coaching style leaders do not only focus on the role performance of their staff. They also aim to develop their staff’s ‘self’, ideally considering the whole person, in a safe environment, on a plate of trust and respect, with a sauce of authenticity and vulnerability. Through coaching, as a leader, you can help reduce blind spots and self-limiting beliefs, giving your staff confidence and insight in their ‘selves’, purpose, and roles in life.

Mrs. Anna Wood. Women’s High-Performance Coach Australian Canoeing | Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapist. As a HP coach I need to know my athletes’ goals, dreams and beliefs, their doubts and fears, basically what makes them tick… Between coach – athlete – team we strive for a foundation of trust and respect with room for individuality. If this foundation is firmly embedded into our culture, we are able to provide honest and constructive feedback, achieve full commitment of every team member and hold each other accountable. I believe this is the pathway to success.

SUMMARY:

Coaching as described by the business, education and sports coaches above is focused on ‘the person beyond the player’. Goals are merely milestones to provide an indication in the process of coaching performance. Whether it is improvement in one context, say technical aspects, there are other contexts like life skills, study/work balance and so on. Coaching is a meticulous process that is continuously managed and reviewed. A portfolio of this perspective on coaching will include a range of foundational strategies. For example, focus on personal development, growth mindset, and creativity. Furthermore, allowing room for self-reflection, mutual respect and understanding. Coaching comprises an arsenal of believes, methods and strategies to create a culture of trust and commitment for people to flourish. Coaching the person, equals coaching the process: ‘Fuelling the engine for optimised coaching’.

Special thanks goes out to the contributing coaches for this article.

AUTHOR

Bjorn Galjaardt (B.ed) studying a Master of Sports Coaching with a focus on Olympic education. He has 12+ years coaching and management experience from grassroots to elite sports level. Currently delivering online and in person performance services at Blended Performances.

This article was provided Coaches Network

By Dr. David Hoch, CMAA, CIC

In my senior year of college, I interviewed for several prospective teaching positions. At the end of each interview, the person conducting the session—usually an assistant superintendent or principal—asked if I had any questions. I always did: “What are the chances of coaching at your school?”

When I heard that one school needed coaches in every sport, I immediately accepted its job offer. Initially, I coached the freshman basketball team. The following year I moved into the junior varsity position. Halfway through my first j.v. season, the head coach asked me, “Where would you like to be in 15 years?”

At 23 years old, the thought had never occurred to me, and I stuttered, “I coach soccer, I’m your j.v. basketball coach, in the spring I coach tennis, and I teach five classes a day. I love it. I’m extremely happy.”

He responded. “I didn’t ask if you were happy. I asked where you would like to be professionally in 15 years. See, in order to reach a goal or career objective, you have to take concrete steps to build credentials in order to get to your desired position. It doesn’t happen by accident. So, where would you like to be?”

Since I didn’t have a ready answer, the head coach dropped the subject. However, a few weeks later he repeated the question. This time, I muddled out, “I might like to be a head men’s basketball coach on the college level one day.”

“Good,” he replied. “Now, what steps are you going to take to get there? Being my j.v. coach isn’t going to get you to your goal.”

This was my first exposure to a mentor. I had no idea what the concept involved prior to that interaction. As I went through my career, I had two additional, extremely helpful individuals serve as mentors. They were invaluable to my professional growth.

While some mentors may simply “appear” in your life, there may be others whom you have to seek out. The following thoughts should help you find your next career guide.

Keep your eyes open. Learn to spot the coaches or teachers in your school or in neighboring districts who have a wealth of knowledge, experience, and wisdom. These individuals are usually very easy to recognize. They may not have a title, but everyone gravitates to them and seeks their subtle, sound advice. Get in line and ask them to help you.

Be open minded. Stay receptive to ideas and advice. While it is good to have your own ideas, you can learn a lot by listening. You don’t always have to follow the advice you receive, but at least be willing to consider ideas and suggestions. Take advantage of the experience and perspective of others and, in doing so, you may proceed more quickly and without encountering as many obstacles.

Look beyond your circle. Venture outside your specific sport for advice and help. For ideas on sport-specific skills, drills, and practice organization, coaches within your sport can be extremely helpful and should be consulted. But on a broader topic like your professional career, reaching beyond your individual sport makes sense because you will be expanding the number of potential mentors.

Increase your odds. Join professional organizations, such as your state coaches’ association, and attend their annual conferences. When you do, you will come into contact with others in your sport and in athletics in general who may be able to point you in the right direction. Your next mentor may be the individual sitting next to you at a session or someone you meet at lunch.

Show gratitude. Always thank anyone who is willing to help you determine and move toward your career goals. This person has his or her own life and responsibilities. By giving time and energy to help you with your future, a mentor is providing a gift and making a sacrifice.

And of course, as you progress in your career, don’t forget to reach out and be a mentor to the next batch of new, inexperienced coaches. Giving back is a privilege and an important part of the job for any professional.

David Hoch retired in 2010 after a 41-year career as a high school athletic director and coach. In 2009, Dr. Hoch was honored as the Eastern District Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education. He was also presented with the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Distinguished Service Award, and in 2000 he was named the Maryland State Athletic Director Association’s Athletic Director of the Year. Dr. Hoch has authored over 460 professional articles and made more than 70 presentations around the country. He welcomes comments and questions and can be reached at: davidhochretad@gmail.com.