What types of qualities make for the very best coach? While there is no set definition on what a “good coach” really is, most all of us can agree that this is an individual that is a winner on and off the playing field, no matter the sport or activity. But what ingredients are really required in order to equate into a standout coach of this sort? Here are five of what could arguably be the very most important qualities that virtually all the best coaches possess.
Drive
Some call it passion. Others may refer to it as drive or motivation. No matter the terminology you would like to apply here, the fact is that a driven and motivated coach is often a winning coach.
More widely applied, we are all better at what we do when that is something we are, for some reason or another, completely driven toward. Personal passion is perhaps the most powerful driver to success of them all. Job security, a noteworthy record, and even fandom can also be quite weighty drivers.
Integrity
While it’s true that drive is huge in coaching, without the abstaining power of integrity, uncontrolled drive can lead to a toxic environment, bad situations, and a wretched final determination in the popular annals of history. One extreme example of this can be found in the highly public Penn State coaching debacle. All said and done, several very winning coaches were found to have been very disingenuous and allowed great harm to come of their players behind-the-scenes.
Winning is great but should never come at any cost. Coaches should always lead by example and maintain a good moral compass that overrides the often blinding importance of the win. Leading by example and maintaining focus of what’s truly important at the end of the are some of the best approaches a coach can take in the crucial area of integrity management.
Communication
Being a great communicator means being able to convey the precise thoughts and meanings one desires to share with their intended audience. Viewed in this way, coaching is all about communication. Therefore, it’s in the best interest of any coach on the road to greatness to develop a high level of proficiency here.
However, it’s important to also note that communication is really composed of two factors: message conveyance as well as proper message receipt. This means that even if you are the very best talker or speech-giver, if you aren’t good at listening, you will undoubtedly miss a lot. Great coaches are great receivers and broadcasters alike.
Understanding
While many might not initially jump to rank humility and a sense of compassionate understanding very highly in coaching necessities, they truly are valuable commodities to possess here. The compassionate and humble coach understands what players and adversaries feel and think. This additional insight makes the coach even more valuable in all means of strategy and forecast. Acting on that very insight in a caring and respectable way makes them even greater as a coach and as a human.
Experience
Finally, let’s not forget the all-encompassing value of experience in this particular pursuit. After all, it is experience that ultimately teaches and further ingrains the above-mentioned qualities in addition to a world of others. While it’s certainly true that, on occasion, a natural prodigy comes on the scene, experience will generally always prevail. For the new coach, don’t despair – every day at it is another pocketful of experience gained. This is how the greats get to be the greats eventually.
Coaches are ultimately the direction-providers of those they teach and lead. Not all are created equally, but those possessing these particular qualities will always excel beyond the rest of the crowd. These are five of the best qualities possessed by the best coaches.
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