Influence for Today's Coaches

Have you changed as a "Captain" or becoming a "Head or Assistant Coach?" How will respond when teammates or colleagues say, "You've Changed!" Is it true? Did you flaunt your new status or position in others faces or were you humble and grateful? In what way would you say you've changed?

What will you say when a player asks why they aren't playing? Have you met with them and defined their role? Do they understand where they fit in? Is there hope for them to move up or play more? Were you honest about their ability to play? Will they become disgruntled?

Are you working with players on their career once their playing days are over? Will they be ready to leave the game? Are they planning for that day? What can you share with them? What questions need to be asked?

Can you help a player who thinks more than reacts? Are they tentative with every decision? Where does this originate? Are they being to tough on themselves? Is your team's culture accepting of mistakes under certain conditions? Do you show your players you have confidence in all they attempt?

Are you content with your training regiment? Is your team as successful as you would like? Have you considered how successful teams train? Would you be willing to bring in a coach to observe your practice or evaluate your game?

Do players expect you to handle their problems or issues? Do you give them the freedom to solve problems without you? Are they equipped to deal with a teammate over a disagreement? Do they feel comfortable sharing issues with you?

Remember that first day for your players? How have they changed over a career? What influence did you have in their development? Was it all positive?

What is your team's pregame routine? When does it begin? Does it include mental preparation? Is the pregame part of your team's identity and culture? Were your players involved in it's planning and implementation?

Do you have social media expectations and accountability for your players? Does your school have a social media policy? Do you personally train them in respect and integrity while using social media?

Has your team experienced dissension? How did you deal with it? What will you do with a divisive player? What about a divisive parent?

Do your words carry meaning and resonate with your players? What do you think of when you hear Genuine, Sincere, Authentic and Integrity? Could they help players hear and relate to your message? Why is that important?

Who are the best candidates to be your assistant coaches? What are you looking for? Are you hiring new ones year after year? Where will you find assistant coaches?

Would your players want to be known as a follower at practice, a game or team setting? What are potential leaders afraid of? Why is that important to you? What does the word teammate mean to you? Your players?

How do you work through team conflict? Have you trained team leaders in properly holding teammates accountable? Are they willing to do that? Could you be contributing or creating the conflict?

Are your leaders always in key field or court positions? Is that how they are selected? What are your expectations for leaders? Do you currently conduct a leadership class? What is your definition of leadership? Do you interview potential leaders with key questions?

Are meetings a grind for you? Is there a way to make meetings more engaging? Have you ever required players to work on the topic before arriving? Is there a sense with your players that the meeting is only to check a requirement box? What can you do?

Do you feel you need to know every answer to every situation or question? Where do you turn when you don't? Is your coaching philosophy based on sincere, authentic and genuine? Can being vulnerable as a coach actually strengthen your team?

Do you trust your team leaders unconditionally? Are they totally respected by their teammates? What leadership styles do they use? Do you counsel them weekly or have a leadership class?

How do you motivate your players? What motivates them the most? What circumstances drive them to be their best? Can you help them succeed? Can their teammates push them to improve?

Do all of your players buy in to your leadership, words and actions? Should they? What can you do? Have you had players that didn't buy in? How did that workout?

Do you have players who would make good leaders, but are unwilling? What are their objections or reasons? Can you help them overcome that doubt? It will be worth it. Listen to our suggestions.

What components will be included in your team culture? Will players be involved in deciding? How will your personality and philosophy influence your components?

Do your words have meaning for your players before a game? Do they inspire your players to reach higher? How can we improve our ability to prepare our team with words?

Is your team involved in forming the expectations for your team? What about values and principles are they discussed? Does your team represent your school in a positive way in the classroom, community and on the field? Listen to our thoughts.

How would your players describe your coaching style? Are you flexible depending on who you are dealing with, or does the situations dictate your style? Are you consistent? Do players know they can count on you to make tough decisions in a consistent manner?