Traits You Need to Become a Successful Coach
- January 13th, 2016
- Camilla Chapman
To reach the elite level of coaching, or just to become successful with your Sunday League team, can be a difficult task. Coaching requires plenty of hard work and commitment, but you also need to receive this back from your athletes to make the goals you have set out. These five key character traits should be applied to your coaching, giving you the best shot of success this season and becoming a successful leader.
Empathy
By gaining an understanding of how your players are feeling, as well as communicating with them frequently, you can form a good level of trust. Often when people do something for you, then they will want to do something for them in return; this could be applied to your bond with your players. Show them the level of commitment you are willing to give, and they should be willing to give the same in return.
Vulnerability
As much as we'd like to be, nobody is perfect and it's important to have the courage to show others just that. If you find your team are going through a rough patch of form, or players don't agree with your methods, then it's having the courage to recognise responsibility. You are responsible for leading these players so don't hold a grudge against them if they speak out against you. Work with them to find a common ground which you can all work towards together.
Clarity
It's key to have clarity with your athletes, to ensure everyone is clear on what the group goals are and they are committed to working towards them. Make it clear how you're going to achieve this as a group, what each individual role is exactly and who is responsible for each of these. Teams that succeed often display discipline and a good team spirit; ensure that your players are crystal clear on what you expect as a coach.
Resolution
Create your rules, assert these with your athletes and stick to them! If you say one thing and then do the complete opposite, you'll become less reliable than those who stick to their resolve. Athletes will often test rules to see how much they can trust those who lead them; the more consistent you are with your resolve, the more trust and authority you will earn.
Conviction
Honest communication between you and your players is key and although not every decision made will be the right one, unity on and off the field is crucial. If you lack conviction in the decisions made, your authority could be thrown into doubt, as well as the team unity being at risk of fracture. Once a decision has been made, stress the importance to remain unified, modelling this off the field with fellow leaders. By promoting this unity, you'll be on your way to success, rather than your players becoming uncertain over your conviction as a leader.
By taking all of these traits and developing them into your coaching, you'll begin to develop stronger bonds with your athletes, giving you all the best chance to become successful together.
For more information, and ways that these traits have been developed by some top coaches, take a look at this article.