The Icon Test of Coaching
It’s not unique to have to leave a place where you’ve taught, coached and led others nor is it unique to be separated from the tribe you’ve led before seeing the fruit of your labor. Undoubtedly, this happens constantly where the leader moves on to a new opportunity and is relegated to the bleacher seats to observe instead of coach his former team.
The hardest part about leaving groups I’ve advised or coached is trust. I am forced to trust that the concepts and principles emphasized have lasting value and buy-in from the tribe members. The greatest fear having left the team is that they will abandon what you’ve deposited because the team was mistakenly built around YOU. At least that’s my fear. I want to know that I left behind a contingent of intrinsicly motivated athletes who will respond to adversity with commitment to a core work ethic that doesn’t require my presence.
It’s worth noting that from the day we begin leading others, the daily grind of taking the team to its destination must be conducted less like a king and more like a human instruction manual. The leader must become transcendent if a team is to be independently successful. Team members must be inspired beyond their allegiance to a coach and yet adopt his core principles as their own. It is then that true coaching is proven effective. I’m anxious to see the grade I get on having done this one.
Posted: by Norman Anthony
Category: Skills
Norm:
Many times, as you did with these kids, we pour in, mold and teach in hopes that they would see what we want them to see or learn what we want them to learn as quick as possible. I’ve learned through my times of mentoring young women and even women my age, that as long as I am doing what I am suppose to be doing at that time, God will do the rest. Although I have wanted to carry out every step with them, God reminded me time and time again that it wasn’t my job to do EVERYTHING. How comforting…Some of us plant seeds, some water, some do both. As you know, they are each called to do different things in life. From the little I know…you have equipped them with the tools necessary to succeed in different areas of life. The rest is up to them. Yes, I want to save the world too;-) But good thing we don’t have to do that because it has already been done!
Agreed Zeara. But as a point of emphasis, I think it’s good to see a team of people owning a vision for themselves after your time with them is done. Thanks for reminding me that I can’t save the world. What was I thinking?
Mr coulter today was so different with out you. It was so boring and the classroom in plain. I asked him if he was going to put posters up and hes going to put a Yankees flag up! This is going to be very hard for the whole class,you can tell.We cant wait for you to come back in December.