Most leaders want successful programs but how much are they willing to commit and sacrifice to maximize their chances?
The National Federation of State High School Associations shares five habits to build successful programs.
Here are some high points and annotations:
The first trait is to praise loudly and criticize softly. The phrase I recall is "shout praise and whisper criticism." That doesn't mean that we can't coach, correct, and discipline. But distinguishing constructive feedback and mean-spiritedness matter. In "The Legacy Builder" Rod Olson calls it 'Speaking Greatness'.
The second trait is to try to make everyone in your program feel important. Who and what matters? What traits did your favorite leaders, teachers, and coaches share? They added value and made us feel valuable. Adding value and building your players' self-esteem creates trust. Trust creates loyalty. People do not care about how much you know until they know how much you care.
Coaches should not talk a lot at practice and keep the athletes moving. Repetition is the mother of all learning. We learn and improve through enhancing our 'neural connections' in the brain. Depositing layers of myelin increases the speed and reliability of nerve transmission, the underpinnings of "muscle memory." In a game with sixty or seventy shots, most players get limited opportunities. Great practice allows each player as many repetitions as possible. Drills like "Kentucky Layups" requiring players to make as many layups in 2 minutes creates competition and helps set rising standards.
The fourth trait is for coaches to always be willing to suspend or remove disruptive players regardless of their ability. I've been fortunate to have very few 'problem players'. And for the few that I have, I've been able to get them to buy in through patience and belief. That won't always work. Great coaches remove the cancers without hesitation or have the discipline not to bring them into the program in the first place.
The fifth trait is to always be open to new ideas and techniques. Learning begins with curiosity. We build great brands starting with concepts but fill out through both optimism and relentless construction. Deserving leaders attract followers and develop new leaders. Ideas are the currency of growth. Matthew Kelly promotes 'becoming a better version of yourself.' Curiosity, reading, study, and a consistent willingness to ask "how can we improve" underpin evolving and durable competitive advantage.