Becoming a Better Coach Part 2 or Goals, Targets and Belief

Second in my series about becoming a better coach, person and consultant while helping programs move forward and get closer to being their best. We start this blog with a quote from Tim Starr the head coach at Sheridan College in Sheridan, WY.

Partnering with Coach Frank and BDE Consulting was the best decision our program has made. From the first meeting it is clear Frank’s passion not only for the game, but a desire to increase the effectiveness of the coaches and players within our program. Coach Frank has sparked our players with a desire to hit their ceilings as individuals every day along with doing whatever the team needs in order for them to be successful. As a coach, Frank has been instrumental in keeping me focused on the big picture for the team. He has helped identify strengths and weaknesses of myself and of the team, discussed the matches and what tactical changes should be made, and assisted in setting clear objectives for the team both in season and out of season.

I have become a more effective leader and as result the team has reached new heights that it has never seen. We are grateful to have him in our family. We have seen firsthand that working with Coach Frank will have two BDEs. The first is having him join our team, and the second is the new heights your coaching staff and team will certainly reach with his guidance.

The biggest reinforcements I got from partnering with Tim Starr and the soccer program at Sheridan College were 1)willingness to learn 2)setting goals and setting targets (knowing the difference) 3) belief in yourself, the athletes and what you can do together.

Tim Starr was willing to seek out other resources to improve his coaching, his players and his program. This is a step that shows confidence. A coach with less self trust would be unwilling to seek out the knowledge and experience of others. All of us can be better and can improve by learning from others. The most successful leaders are continually seeking to take the next stride towards being their best version. Tim’s willingness to partner with BDE has helped his program but also made me aware of always looking to build my own understanding of ways to improve.

Probably the biggest area that Tim and I partnered on was setting up Goals and Targets. Goals for us are those areas that we are always striving for and are not dependent on results similar to an individual’s principals or an organization’s mission. An example would be trying to be a better soccer player and person every day. Those are areas we can work on with our work rate, our attitude, and our focus to become better. Our targets are based more on what we want to achieve in this particular season, month, week or day. These depend much more on results and these have priorities in that the season would be more important than what was going on that day. This was one of the most important areas that Tim and BDE partnered on, an idea that few leaders realize. We were willing to learn from today, this week, and this month in order to be better ready for this seasonal Target. Not many coaches and leaders can see beyond what is happening today if it means a negative step today. An example would be playing athletes today for their growth or health reasons even if it means losing today but that growth will help you win the conference, the region or the national championship if that is your Target. Very difficult for most leaders to do! As thinking partners Tim and I were able to put our long range Targets first while always working on our Goals for ourselves, players and program.

The last area that was a major take away from the 2018 season with the partnership of BDE and Sheridan College men’s soccer was Belief! Believing in your own ability and that of your team is the first attribute you have to have in order to reach any of your targets. Tim believed in what our partnership could accomplish and how far the program could grow. It all starts with authentic belief which worked and has carried forward to belief for the future and continuing toward our Goals and Targets.