How High can you coach? Are you Ready?

Can you coach someone to a higher level of achievement than you have gained yourself?

If you have never played that role, how can it possible to enable others to achieve that achievement level?

Take Vince Lombardi, for example, the man who most consider the greatest football coach of all time. Despite winning five NFL Championships -- and the first two Super Bowls -- Lombardi never played football professionally.

Lombardi just understood the game and was great at translating his knowledge to his players. Although his own football skill set might have not been too profound, he was remarkable at elevating the skill sets of his players. And that’s what matters as a coach.

It is possible. Encourage the member to learn about the work by building up their own knowledge, by asking them questions and setting problems for the member to solve. You as a coach assist them to raise their awareness and find how to perform the work ‘their’ way.

This is often by relying on using your coaching skills, (questioning, encouragement and observation), rather than giving instructions;

To coach beyond your own level requires an unusual degree of self-mastery.

We need self-discipline and courage.

Some of the typical traits which can be significant though you have never played that role or they are higher at your level

a) Observant. Observe everyone and learn from them, advise them through your observation

b) Create an effective impact on their growth. Do whatever it is required to inspire them

c) Self-retrospect after coaching. Are you doing it precisely? is there any room for revision? do you have a continuous improvement mindset?

d) Know the person whom you are coaching and administer appropriate coaching style

e) Plan meticulously with great attention to detail and goal is to improve performance.

f) Bring different views, dare to be different and contribute to changes

g) An optimistic and positive mindset that everything is possible

h) A desire to be the best and passion to win

i) A great communicator who listen and build up the person not merely performance

j) Build psychological safety 

k) Read more and learn more about coaching. There are no shortcuts to knowledge.

Everyone is not coachable, we need to know whom to coach.

You can try these and examine how these are valuable for you.

Gopichand the coach of the Indian national badminton team. The achievements of Gopichand speak for themselves. An Olympic medal in badminton, 2 medals in the world Championships, 2 women players in the World Top 10 and 7 Indians in all in the World Top 30 in singles.