Guest post by Brian Jones
During March Madness, I’m what you call an ABC fan – “Anybody but Carolina.” And nothing gives me more pleasure than seeing UNC at the bottom with my woeful NC State Wolfpackers. But I really like a good coach when I see one. I recently saw a documentary on Dean Smith done by Sport South. It’s was very well done, and I could not get over the respect given by the words of his former players. Words like “father-figure, honor, compassion, and even love.” This really got me thinking what makes a great coach? And what makes a great ROAR (sports ministry) coach?
What personal qualities do top coaches possess that separate them from the good coach? Is it more the training or the inner qualities? Is it more coaching technique or the artistry? Is it more coaching knowledge or its application? Is it more natural talent for helping people or cultivated abilities? Is it insightful analysis of people or an abiding presence with them?
There probably is no one single attribute that all excellent coaches possess. Top flight coaches can be comprised of many stripes and can come from many places, but they all connect with their charges, they know how to make changes with them and they know how to get results. Bottom line, they get the work done.
I found this list from Tom Cole a top coaches trainer, who has spent the last 15 years coming up with his top 15 attributes top coaches have:
1. Exquisite self awareness.
2. High emotional intelligence.
3. Broad vision with focus on important details.
4. Nuanced, crisp, superb communication.
5. Highest regard, caring and respect for others.
6. Creative, innovative learner and developer of custom coaching methodologies.
7. Perceptive, intuitive, curious and inquiring.
8. Quick study with capacity for deep and wide learning.
9. Student of coaching and other disciplines that support helping others.
10. Sincere interest in others and desire to help.
11. Continuous learner of themselves and their experiences.
12. See coaching as a two way interchange of energies and learnings.
13. Humble, open, nurturing and grateful to the world.
14. View coaching as a calling, an art and a discipline.
15. Walking the talk and modeling a good life for others.
“Expert coaches work on themselves unceasingly. They are open to new ideas and philosophies. They study coaching seriously and take coaching seriously. They care about the person across from them,” says Cole
This list is great but what is different about the ROAR/Sports Ministry coach, what sets this coach apart?
What should be the #1 characteristic of a ROAR/Sports Ministry coach? What should be the top 5?
