Making the Transition from Player to Coach

As we gear up for Super Bowl LIX, I find myself reflecting on what sports legends have taught us about our teams, on and off the field.

Have you ever wondered why some athletes struggle to transition from player to coach? This challenge isn't just limited to sports; it’s a critical shift that many business owners need to make to build a valuable business.

Take Wayne Gretzky, for example. Despite being arguably, the best hockey player of all time, he failed to make the playoffs in four years as the coach of the Phoenix Coyotes. Similarly, Ted Williams, the greatest hitter in baseball history, couldn't lead his team to the playoffs in four years as a manager.

On the other hand, some of the most successful coaches never excelled or even played the sport they coached professionally. Andy Reid has won three Super Bowl titles with the Kansas City Chiefs without ever playing in the NFL. Greg Popovich, one of the best NBA coaches of all time, never played professional basketball.

Why does this matter for business owners and leaders? The transition from being the star player in your business to becoming its “head coach” is crucial to scale and grow, and often to survive.

As you bring on new staff and customers, you need to make sure everyone is using the same Playbook to replicate the processes and products that have made your business successful with you calling the plays. The Value Builder System? has identified this as one of eight key drivers to value in your business. Value that translates to a lower cost of capital, business longevity to support your employees and customers, and options for you as an owner.

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How to Level Up Your Business

In 2013, Jason Bagley started Firing Squad, a lead generation company specializing in cold emails. Initially, Bagley did everything himself, especially copywriting, which he considered his “superpower.” But one person can’t be the quarterback and the receiver for too long and Bagley sought to build a business that could thrive without him. To do this, he needed to transfer his skills to his employees. Here’s how he did it:

1. Create a library: Bagley compiled good and bad copywriting examples in a folder accessible to all employees.
2. Use video: He provided feedback through screen-sharing videos, making it easier for his team to understand his thought process. Video content is especially well-received by younger workers who have grown up with technology.
3. Avoid perfection: Bagley learned to accept 80% of his standard from his employees, realizing that nitpicking every detail wasn’t productive.

This approach allowed Bagley to transition his skills to his team, creating a more valuable business not overly dependent on him, and ultimately enabling him to sell his business in 2020.

As a Business Advisor, part of my role is “coaching the head coach”, providing owners and leaders with valuable insight and action steps to continue to level-up their own performance. Let’s talk about where your business is at and how we can help you lead your team to victory!

-- Chad Haldeman | Email Me: [email protected]