Coaching to Lead – Creating Positive Coaching Moments in Business

By: Anthony J. Summers

Early in my career, I had the opportunity to work for Hall of Fame Basketball Coach Rick Pitino and future Hall of Fame coach, Tubby Smith, at the University of Kentucky. During my time with UK Men’s Basketball, I learned a plethora of lessons about leadership and what it means to be a true coach.  Essentially, I learned that great coaching skills were certainly not limited to a particular sport. Whether in sport or business, here is a summary of a few take-a-ways I learned from two of the best coaches in the country.

? Clear articulation of roles, responsibilities, and expectations

A failure to clearly communicate roles, responsibilities, and expectations leads to confusion. During my time at UK, Coach Pitino and Coach Smith placed significant emphasis on ensuring the assistant coaches, players, support staff, and any other contributors fully understood their role.  Have you ever seen an organization where the employees work hard but still cannot seem to achieve success? It would be similar to a basketball player playing as hard as he or she physically could but not knowing the plays. True accountability cannot exist without a clear articulation of roles, responsibilities, and expectations. Great coaches and leaders understand this fact, and they find ways to coach their team members by continuously helping them understand and embrace their role and expectations.  In many instances, execution is the difference between success and failure.

? Setting goals that STRETCH teams to think BIG

All teams want to win, and all businesses want to be profitable. Setting goals that are specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and have a time table seem to be synonymous with winning teams and profitable organizations. While goals should be realistic, they should also push the team to dig deep and aim for heights they never dreamed possible. Great coaches understand that it’s not just about the goal but rather the journey to achieve the goal. Goals that make us stretch our abilities cause us to learn who we really are and serve as a spring board for us to achieve things beyond what we ever thought we could do. Great coaches help their teams believe the impossible is possible through proper goal setting and the simple notion to think big.

? Truly great teams DESERVE VICTORY

Winning in sports and achieving success in business does not happen by accident. In Coach Pitino’s book, Success is a Choice, he asked the question "what does it mean to deserve victory?" Winston Churchill answered the question with these words, “Victory only comes to those who work long and hard, who are willing to pay the price in blood, sweat and tears.” A team deserves victory by the way they practice, prepare, and by exhibiting a work ethic second to none. Success in business is no different. Great coaches teach their team to appreciate practice and preparation. Teams, in sports and in business, that practice just as hard as they play set themselves up for success. Great coaches in business foster an environment where investing the proper amount of time to plan is a priority.  Legendary Football Coach Joe Gibbs once said, “A winning effort begins with preparation.”

? Humility is the mark of a great champion

A team of dedicated individuals is always greater than a single individual. Great coaches find ways to bring out the best in others, and they teach others on the team to do the same.  Humility is what helps each of us understand that it is not all about us, but rather it is about the team or organization.  Humility reminds us that there really is no “I” in TEAM. William Arthur Ward once stated, “Greatness is not found in possessions, power, positions, or prestige. It’s discovered in goodness, humility, service, and character.” Great coaches understand that servant leadership means putting others before themselves, and they teach this trait by example. In Coach Pitino’s book, The One Day Contract, he states, “Humility is the true key to success.” Great coaches understand that humility is fertilizer for a true spirit of team.

About the Author: Anthony J. Summers is currently the Senior Director of Operations for Tinsley Family Concessions. Anthony has over 15 years of Leadership and Coaching experience in both the public and private sector.