Defining the “It” Factor of a Good Coach
Having been in the field of strength and conditioning for 7+ years now I have been fortunate to observe and speak with a variety of different coaches throughout my career. Whether it be a sport coach with decades of experience or an intern/graduate assistant who is just getting started, I have been a part of many conversations on the topic of how some people just have “it” when it comes to coaching in general. Throughout these years I have had a difficultly putting my finger on exactly what that it factor may be, but I have come to the realization that all of these coaches have at least these three simple traits in common.
They Know Their Stuff
In order to be taken seriously and lead a group of individuals a good coach must have a great understanding of what it is they are trying to teach. It doesn’t matter if you are instructing an athlete on how to squat or refining someone’s technique in their jump shot, there should not be a question that the coach is the expert on that topic. Along the same lines, a great coach is constantly learning and developing themselves to further hone their craft. They are committed to a life of growth and year by year their overall coaching philosophy or outlook may evolve.
They Have a Presence
When first starting out as an intern strength and conditioning coach this was the hardest concept for me to grasp, and still is when I think about describing it. I define presence as the ability for a coach to walk into a room and have everyone on the team know they are the one in charge. As a strength coach you know you are on the right path if you walk passed an athlete and they correct something while doing an exercise without you having to utter a single cue. The same rings true for the sport coach walking into a team meeting and the entire room quiets down before they have to say a word. Ultimately I have found that presence is a form of confidence and if a coach is sure of oneself it will make it easier to lead.
They are Genuine
When it comes down to it I think this is the most important quality all good coaches have in common. Athletes, or just people in general, can smell out fake from a mile away. A good coach understands that if they aren’t a rah rah guy/gal they don’t try to be. They know if they aren’t someone that will get up in another person’s face and scream and yell to motivate, then they don’t. Plain and simple they know to just be themselves. Athletes can appreciate real and when a coach has the courage to break down their wall and let their athletes in then they can truly make an impact. Ultimately I think coaches with this quality can still be great leaders even if they are lacking in the other two previously mentioned attributes.
These are a few of many different qualities that contribute to the makeup of the best coaches/leaders that I have had the pleasure of knowing and observing. I believe these traits can be seen in other professions as well and are universal in all successful people. In conclusion, I challenge you to take look at yourself and think about what you can improve upon within these three traits. It may just take a small change to take your coaching or leadership abilities to the next level.
- Kevin Konopasek