Much has been made in recent times of players, coaches and parents being role models. I recently came by this video while I was in the UK doing my Youth Modules. I think the video (below) summarizes the situation quite well and even though they are not using coaches as the Role Models in the video, parallels can be drawn between the two.
At the end of the day coaches are Role Models like it or not. The actions we take before, during and after soccer or even outside of soccer has a large impact (reach) on those we work with. Sometimes it is not the easiest thing to do, ‘looking the mirror,’ to see if your actions have been appropriate or not. One thing most coaches have in common is passion for the game, and more often than not passion takes over! Passion is amazing to have, when channeled into a positive use. Let your players feed off your passion for the game, help them build, harness, grow their own unique passion for the game, BUT do not let it override what you are trying to achieve as a coach. Without a doubt, many will be thinking of exceptions to the rule and of course there will always be exceptions to the rule, however, when you look at the matter objectively, and you take a deep breath, remain calm, we are role models in everything we do. Some may have hundreds of young impressionable boys and girls that look up to their coaches and model/pattern their behaviour after us SO think to yourself the next time, are the actions, words, tone/demeanour you are about to use okay if your players behaved in the exact same way?
Coaches are leaders and they are also role models! Here are a few characteristics of role models/leaders/coaches I dug up:
- Model positive choice-making
- Think aloud
- Apologize and admit mistakes
- Follow through
- Show respect
- Be well rounded
- Demonstrate confidence in you
- Leads by example
- Respect over fear
- Assertiveness
- Integrity
- Vision
- Honesty
- Ability to Delegate
- Sense of Humour
- Confidence
- Commitment
- Positive Attitude
- Creativity
- Intuition
- Ability to Inspire Others
- Proactive rather than Reactive
- Flexible/Adaptable
- A Good communicator
- Respectful
- Quiet confidence
- Enthusiastic
- Open-Minded
- Resourceful
- Rewarding
- Well-Educated
- Open to change
- Interested in Feedback
- Evaluative
- Organized
- Consistent
- Initiative
- Be decisive
- Focus
- Passion
- Clarity
- Care
- Compassion
- Engagement
- Humility
- Empowering
- Collaborative
- Fearlessness
- Patience
- Fairness
- Approachable
- Presentable
A phrase I say a great deal to the players I work with is “There are things you can control and there are things you cannot control…focus on the things you CAN control.”
Some websites and blogs thoughts in this post were generated from:
- http://menudoeurovision.blogspot.ca/2012/08/what-makes-good-role-model-7.html
- http://www.forbes.com/sites/tanyaprive/2012/12/19/top-10-qualities-that-make-a-great-leader/
- http://leadership.uoregon.edu/resources/exercises_tips/skills/leadership_characteristics
- http://www.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/08/03/good.leader.traits.cb/