Training programs are designed to help people use the problem-solving processes they learn in workshops, but good training skills are also essential for effective leadership. This is why I decided to become a coach - to help people solve their problems and achieve better results. I found that the best way to solve a problem was not to be a problem solver. Coaches can develop several skills that will help them build strong relationships with their athletes.
These include communication skills, the ability to use positive reinforcement, the ability to gain trust, and the willingness to be available to athletes who need advice or encouragement. Coaches who make themselves available to their athletes are setting the foundation for strong relationships. Sometimes coaches or facilitators are employees with good leadership skills, and sometimes they are the real managers or even executives of the organization. To create a strong bond, coaches must show an interest that goes beyond immediate team-related issues.
Genuine relationships between athletes and coaches lead to more trust, better communication and a winning attitude. I have facilitated leadership development and coaching processes in more than 20 countries, including Japan, Indonesia and Singapore. Accessible and interested coaches will be attractive to players, both those who want a relationship and those who don't know if they want one. The person you're training is closest to the problem, so make sure you ask for their point of view and really listen.
Coaches who focus on creating personal and effective relationships with their athletes will benefit regardless of the team's victories, as they will have helped develop positive moral and ethical behaviors. When managers have specific training capabilities, they often gain a new perspective on the broader relevance of leadership skills. Problem solving, patience, understanding and mutual trust are all necessary, and it is the coach who must lead the creation of bonds within the team. While a democratic style of training is often the best strategy, an autocratic style can also have its advantages.
If a coach focuses exclusively on winning and their only goal is to win, they may be able to achieve that goal. Successful coaches are more than just a voice during training and on match day; they are advisors and mentors that athletes can trust. I can't think of many investments with a bigger and more sustainable long-term payout than building an organization in which every manager is a coach. A coach with genuine interest will gather information about the players that can help with game strategy, practice and overall team bonding.
