Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors is having a rough season. With the NBA grind a third of the way done, listen to him describe the conversation he had with head coach Steve Kerr.
Ask yourself this question. Would you, as a coach, be able to tell your star player the things Kerr told Thompson, especially the part about how his negative energy was affecting the rest of the team?
Listen to how Arkansas outside hitter, Jill Gillen, talks about her relationship with her head coach, Jason Watson. Gillen was a 5-7 outside who despite a stellar juniors career, received only one college offer; from Arkansas. This year the team, riding on her shoulders most of the season, the Razorbacks got to the elite 8 before losing to eventual finalist Nebraska.
Relationships with athletes like this are pure gold for both coaches and players. They are transformational. And Watson's faith in Gillen was a foundation for the team's success this season, their best finish in school history.
Finally, Kansas State University basketball coach Jerome Tang, who has a winning percentage of over .700 in his first two years at the school, understands that his team's performance begins and ends with the man in the mirror.
"They don't go out there on purpose and make mistakes!" Tang reiterates the idea that blame, if any, falls on him. And as he says, he looks for ways to get better.
Would you be able to have the kind of heart to heart with your star player like Steve Kerr did with Klay Thompson? Are you the kind of coach that your players will love and appreciate so much they are brought to tears talking about all you have done and sacrificed for them? Are you able to stop blaming your players, understanding that they aren't out there making mistakes on purpose just to make you look bad, and realize that the man in the mirror is where the blame begins and ends, if any is warranted.
These three exceptional coaches show us honesty, vulnerability and humility; all traits great coaches exhibit.
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