The Power of energy: Why coaching with energy is important

The past weekend I hosted a "Drawing board" session for netball coaches. From past experiences I know that during this time of the year teachers are running around like headless chickens in-between athletics, swimming and the classroom. Majority of the teachers are only one month into the new school year and already they might be feeling exhausted. Arriving at the school on a Friday afternoon, I realised that the coaches attending the session might not be looking forward to this as much as I am hoping they would. I hosted the coaching clinic in collaboration with another coach and my session was only scheduled for the second half of the clinic. Realising at that point in time, that it was definitely going to be a massive challenge making sure coaches stay engaged and are switched on during my session.

Hoping to leave my mark and influence the coaches, I realised immediately that I have to put myself in their shoes. In order to move and influence coaches it's important for me to align myself with them. Here is what I did:

1. I started off by playing a game, giving the coaches very little instructions as to how to win the game. Telling them only WHAT to do and not HOW to do it. After the game I emphasised the importance of having strong communication skills as a coach.

2. Yes, of course there would be a reward for the winning team. That would include having first choice of their favourite chocolate that would act as a snack during the session and instantly serotonine was released knowing that they would be rewarded for their efforts.

3. Before I started coaching, I thanked the coaches for attending my session and sacrificing time away from home - time is something that teachers don't always have.

4. I shared my story with the coaches explaining to them why I love coaching.

5. I promised them that we will have fun and it's important that they engage in the session.

Needless to say 90 minutes flew by and everyone had fun and were eagerly participating in the course.

A reminder that as coaches we have the power to influence people and to never underestimate the value of it. "In physics, the definition of power is the transfer of energy" - Simon Sinek. I believe in the power of energy and for connections to be formed the transfer of energy is key. I always remind the players that I coach, the following:

You can only be one of two things in a team

1. an energy giver OR

2. an energy taker
   

I believe that the same rule applies for coaching and life.

#coaching #coaches #energy