One of the hardest parts of being a leader is the hiring process. Coaches are not trained to hire, fire, and manage others.
Your hiring process is something you can proactively work on and fine tune throughout the season - not just when a job is open. This approach will save you a ton of time and stress in the moment.
Here are 3 mistakes I see coaches make during the hiring process:
1. Not getting clear on what you need
Too many coaches hire the first person who comes along rather than take the time to get clear on what you need.
You change and grow over time. The person who was on your staff at the beginning of your career may not be who you need now.
Coaches love to hire other coaches who are just like them. Yet, you may need someone who will offer a different perspective and unique skillset.
Take some time to get clear on what qualities you most need right now - in this season of your coaching career.
Read MoreThere were several activities that took me out of my comfort zone in my role as a head coach: networking, recruiting, and speaking. You may find it hard to believe that a head coach of a Pac-12 program could be such an introvert. The two don't seem to fit together. Yet...there I was.
To say I had a bad-attitude at times was an understatement.
I made up stories about what people thought of me. I would compare myself to other coaches. I had a stream of negative thoughts swirling around in my head.
Read MoreI had a coaching call last week with a new head coach. She had just taken over program, had a long list of to-do’s, and was feeling really inadequate.
“Uggghhh…I don’t have enough time to fit everything in!”
I asked her about her priorities and she said, “What do you mean priorities? Everything is a priority right now. I’ve got so many things that have to get done. Everything’s important! Maybe people were right. Maybe I’m NOT ready to be a head coach yet.”
Most coaches get really down on themselves when they have a lot on their plate and are spinning their wheels. Self judgement makes things harder.
If you’ve ever felt this way, it’s not that you’re not good at what you do, ready to be a head coach, or a responsible assistant coach….
Read MoreAt the end of the season, you’re going to get feedback from your athletes, staff, and administration.
A lot of coaches - consciously or unconsciously - have a lot of stress during this time.
Couple that with the fact you’ve had a long season…and probably not much of a break.
How do you respond to criticism - from your athletes, parents, administrators, or other coaches?
Sorry to be the downer...and I'm letting you know there will always be people who judge and criticize you for actions you take and decisions you make.
You can't escape cricitism!
It doesn't matter how hard you work, how perfect you are, or what level of success you reach...there will always be someone there to judge you.
How do you respond?
Read MoreThis week I’m working with group of coaches at a Women's Coaching Summit in Bellingham.
Part of what’s so great about the summit is taking the opportunity to celebrate all of the many accomplishments, insights, and ah-ha’s these coaches have had over the past year.
When coaches sit down to write these things down, their list may not look like what you'd expect.
That's because it takes some work to recognize the value in your work as a coach.
Coaches are hard on their athletes...and even harder on themselves!
It takes a little more digging and a deeper level of awareness to see all the ways you're actually learning, growing, and expanding.
SMALL SUCCESS
The things that matter the most aren't necessarily the typical things that you might expect people to high-five or fist-pump about.
Things that make your list of accomplishments may be things you'd hardly ever think to celebrate at all.
That's why this kind of work is so important!!!
Read MoreI work with coaches to help you get a 360º view of what’s going on with yourself and with your team by looking back, looking at what’s going on now, and then looking ahead. Otherwise, it’s easy for you to be so driven and forward focused that you don’t stop long enough to learn from all of the experiences you’re having.
Coaching is all about experiential education - if you include the reflection piece.
Experience → Reflection → Conclusion → Experiment (Kolb Learning Cycle)
As a leader, there are specific leadership skills you can work on to improve how you’re leading your team. Reflect on how your athletes and staff are responding to your leadership style, and experiment by adapting your behavior for a more successful outcome.
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