Why I Coach

I’ve had the privilege of coaching a lot over the years. I’ve coached basketball, baseball, a little football, and the reality is, being a student pastor is me coaching students in life and leadership.

Many coaches coach because they love they game they are coaching. For many, they’ve probably grown up playing the game they’re now coaching. They want to see it continued in generations to come. Others coach for the impact they have on those they coach. The generations to come mentioned earlier.

Leaders, in ministry or in business, are ultimately coaches. You see, coaches, don’t play the game but prepare others to play the game and then guide them through the plays ahead. I’ve learned, and said for a long time, “leaders teach their teams to lead and then give them the lead.”

So what does it mean for leaders in business or ministry to coach those they are leading?

First, it’s about the goal. As leaders we need to define the win for our team. Coaches understand the game they lead, the goals of the team, and how they win. As leaders, we let our team know the goal and how they need to go about getting there.

Secondly, it’s about the team. Yes, the name of the coach is the name listed on the win or loss line but coaching is ultimately about the team. A coach can build a team around a common purpose to accomplish a common goal. The best coaches can take players from different backgrounds and personalities and get them to play their game, their way, to accomplish that team goal. Which brings me to my last point, it’s about the people.

Just as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, a team is only as strong as the people that make up that team. For years now I’ve lead teams but it’s really only in recent years i’ve really put emphasis on the individuals I lead. This means I have to learn the individuals I lead, how they process information, what their personalities are, and their strengths and weakness. Once I have a better grasp on this I’m in a better place to put our team’s “best foot forward” to accomplish the team goal and when the team wins, we win.

Who are you coaching? Who are you pouring into? What team goals do you have as a team and what individuals do you have to make that team goal a reality? I hope these give you some thoughts to how you lead those you lead.

Photo by Jeffrey F Lin on Unsplash