On Coaching

This past Tuesday I was listening to a great podcast. One of my mentors Zach Even-ish was interviewing Fergus Connolly. The main subject of the podcast was about the idea of coaching people vs coaching people to the program. This subject really hit home to me. Too often coaches, teachers, parents, leaders you name the title only coach or teach to what they want the people to learn. In other words they coach or teach to win or to succeed and they don't coach or teach to listen to what is truly needed. We get so wrapped up into our ideas and our expertise and what we perceive as best or the only way. We expect students, members, or employees to leave their egos at the door, but yet we don't do the same in a lot of cases. Yes there is structure and some boundaries that are needed to teach or coach in order for someone to learn, but we make such a huge mistake by letting our egos prevent us from really listening and getting to know the needs of who we are trying to teach or coach. This issue isn't just confined to the gym or the classroom or at the workplace. This issue happens in everyday life. It happens with us as parents. It happens with us as families. It happens with us as friends. All you need to do and step back and just listen to a conversation and watch to see who is truly listening vs who is just thinking about their response. It is said that good coaches and teachers coach and teach to the weight or the subject. Great coaches and teachers coach and teach to the person. So ask yourself are you a good coach or teacher or are you a great coach or teacher? If you have doubt or hesitate on how to answer this question, it is time to start to learn to be great. A little secret, to be great you will need to learn how to be great for the rest of your life. It's worth it!!!

Thanks and seize the day