There is something captivating about watching a great sports team play. They demonstrate the essence of teamwork, diligence and determination, and exemplify the joys of success. When you combine all these elements you have the recipe for a winning team. While the star players quickly become the focus of media frenzy and attention, we often forget about the coaches who have been the brains behind the operation. It is through the direction and hard work of coaches that the players have the ability to reach their full potential. Much like a sports coach, managers are given the responsibility of leading their team to success. Managers are expected to direct their team members in order to accomplish tasks and help their employees reach professional growth. Managers can learn a lot from coaches and implement their leadership strategies in the workplace.
It only makes sense to compare great coaches with great managers. After all, their occupations share the same goal…leading their team to success. Managers and sports coaches are both working to develop the skills of their team members through support, training, and motivation. Let’s take a look at some of the traits of terrific coaches that managers should try to incorporate into their own leadership strategy.
- Good coaches facilitate open communication.
It is so important that coaches and managers focus on leading their team rather than trying to dominate them. It can be tempting to use their authority as a means to get things done, but this type of behavior often creates resentment from the team members. The best coaches know how to engage in open, respectful communication with their team. This approach allows the team to feel comfortable expressing their concerns and makes for a more positive environment.
- Good coaches bring a positive attitude.
Great coaches come to the field with a positive attitude. Instead of focusing on what the players are doing wrong, they encourage the right behaviors and work toward improving them. Positive reinforcement helps players to excel and build a strong bond of trust with their coach. Likewise, managers should take the time to focus on the positive traits of their employees. While there is certainly a time and a place to address areas of weakness, managers who also provide positive feedback are more likely to boost the confidence and productivity of their employees.
- Good coaches are well organized.
The most successful coaches are those who know exactly where to place each player in order to make them shine. They make sure that every player has a purpose and their goals are clearly defined. When it comes to organization in the office, managers need to do more than just organize data and paperwork. They need to be able to organize their team in a way that allows each person to showcase their strengths. Managers need to learn about their employees and place them in a position where they can make the most of their strengths.
Many of the techniques that make successful coaches are the same as those that can create great managers. Managers can use the principles of communication, positive attitudes, and organizational skills to launch their team to success.