The coach mindset

I quote this text by Vern Gambetta on the mindset that every coach should possess.

Regardless of how many years you have been coaching, always approach what you do with a beginner’s mind (“Shoshin” in Japanese). Never lose this perspective, because it is full of possibilities. It helps to see with a child’s eyes. It is seeing what is actually there, as opposed to seeing what we think is there. Erase confirmation bias. Expect nothing, and you will be surprised with what you see.

Getting better, step by step –some practical pointers:

• Have a clearly defined vision and mission statement. Turn the words into action and live them in coaching and in life. The vision statement is a statement of purpose; it is why you do what you do. The mission statement is a clear description of the route; it is how you will do it.
• Practice daily self-reflection, and make it a habit. Debrief after every training session. It can be formal or informal; do whatever fits your situation. Keep a journal and answer these questions: What did I plan to do? Did it get done? Was it exceptional, average or good? Why and why not? What do I need to do better next time? Taking time to answer these questions is a simple but effective way to constantly improve.
• Read everything you can – read books, articles websites and blogs. Learn from anyone you can. Try to have a focus or the theme to direct your reading. Take notes. Discuss your reading with others.
• Write – keep a journal. Tie this to your self-reflection and debrief. Take notes on your reading and things you hear or read.
• Do it yourself –try it and feel it. There is no better way to teach a skill than to learn it yourself. That will give you a feel for what the athlete has to do when they are learning.
• Network & Collaborate –work together with someone. Together is better. Seek diverse opinions and critical evaluation of your work.
• Find a mentor both in and out of coaching. Find someone who has been there before and is willing to share their success and failures.
• Go outside your sport and outside of sport – go far afield. I have found a wealth of ideas look- ing at design thinking. Look at the performing arts.
• Know what you know, and know what you do not know. Be confident, but never be con- strained by either.
• Remember that communication is the essence of good coaching. It is also the cornerstone of getting better. It demands intention and attention: intention that the meaning be shared and at- tention that it has been shared. Pay attention!
• Observe –watch good coaches coach, and for that matter, watch bad coaches coach. You can learn what to do and what not to do. Watch and read interviews of coaches.
• Specialize in being a generalist –get uncomfortable and go outside your area of expertise. Make connections between seemingly unconnected areas. This will allow you to make more diverse connections to deepen, as well as broaden, your knowledge.
• Practice tech free coaching days
• Leave your iPhone and iPad in the office. Put the Go Pro away.
• Stop! Look! Listen! Heighten and sharpen your observational skills. Don’t worry about bar