Why Coaching? Take your cues from legendary coach Pat Summitt

If you’re new to the world of professional executive coaching, what first comes to mind? There are often misconceptions, but it’s more wise counsel and dependable companionship on the road to growth than harsh criticism or constant correction. It’s more about gently guiding clients to the most effective answer for them individually rather than blanket approaches. It’s about a coach and coachee creating positive growth together.

Executive coaching, in many ways, is modeled off athletic coaching. There are some coaches who became role models for me – not only in my athletic endeavors but well beyond, into my professional career. One of my favorites was the great Pat Summitt, the head coach of the women’s basketball program at the University of Tennessee. She coached 38 seasons, won 8 national championships, and, upon her retirement in 2012 due to early onset Alzheimer’s, had won more NCAA Division 1 games than any other coach, male or female. She achieved countless other accolades during her coaching tenure, but more important than any records or awards, in my opinion, is how consistently players respected her and wanted to play well for her.

I always found that part of Pat’s magic was how she poured her heart into her players, and how she also poured all she had into her growth and that of the program, systematically and thoughtfully, to create a platform for continued success.

Every coach was at one time a player, and every champion was at one time a challenger. Whether you are a coach or a player (or both) – in the traditional sense or the professional arena - there are certain elements we must possess and activate to consistently grow, both within ourselves and our teams. We must be and do the following:

·      Commit to a mindset of determination

·      Visualize ourselves being successful

·      Realize the potential that lies within

·      Set a big, over-arching goal first, then visualize the “how to” steps of achievement

·      Understand those "how to" steps are the daily, sometimes hourly activities to which you commit your mental and physical energy, which contribute to overall success

·      Stick with it. Don’t quit or give up just because things get hard, or you get bored. Be resilient and keep looking for a way through or over into your success.

When she became head coach of Tennessee, Pat’s first big, over-arching goal was, “I want to fill the gym.” Think about that for a minute. Here was a woman who had very little support in her role; Title IX had only recently passed, bringing a tiny flow of money into women’s collegiate sports. Pat poured her own personal investment into the program’s success by sweeping the gym floor, taping her players’ ankles, and struggling to even fill the bleachers, but Pat worked, and Pat believed. And she stuck with it. As a coach, Pat was determined to turn her dreams and goals into success, and modeled the behavior she wanted her team to absorb. Many of her players have gone on to successful careers in athletics, broadcast journalism, or company ownership.

Nothing takes the place of hard work and commitment, so if you possess those critical beliefs and elements, consider taking on a professional executive coach to help you fill in the blanks, and “fill the gym.”

Go be brilliant today!