I think therefore...
I can have an opinion. Taking time to form thoughts, rather than responding on emotion or forming opinions based on other people's opinions makes me more credible. It is not always important for me to agree with everyone, frankly that is impossible. However, if I have the ability to take in information, process it in my own view and create an opinion my opinion is credible.
I have a guilty pleasure of reading comments of online newspapers. I enjoy trying to figure out who could be posting the comments to an article. We have a relatively small circulating paper in Rock Hill so I have become familiar with posters and their tendencies. There are some that are always fascinating to read. Others are simply irritating every time.
My favorite posters are the ones that post links in their comments to show a counter opiniion. This shows me that they read the article, processed it, and researched it further. When that person posts a comment, I feel it is valid.
My least favorite posters are usually the people that post first or second. They are usually very emotional and biased hard towards one view or another. The person responds within minutes of the article being published and clearly has an agenda or opinion formed purely off the slant of the article. Someone has to go first, I guess, but the trend seems to always be for bad posts to go first.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Journal 29, Week 10
Topic of My Choice: A politician's job is to get financial support from the rich and votes from the poor by promising to protect each of one of them from the other.
A friend of mine posted this on facebook a few weeks ago. In a nutshell, it is true. Running a political campaign takes a lot of money and getting donations from wealthy people is required in most election runs. However, those donations also come quid-pro-quo with a request of the politician.
If the politician doesn't get people to vote for them, he will not be elected. If the politician takes money from a contributor that will affect a large number of votes, is he doing himself a disservice?
I think this is why most politicians have turned out to be liars recently. It is nearly impossible to have a personal agenda. The agenda of a politician is always going to be slanted away from their personal views and influenced by either money or votes. If we found an honest politician, we could have a solid government leader. Unfortunately, it is hard to get that person elected.
A friend of mine posted this on facebook a few weeks ago. In a nutshell, it is true. Running a political campaign takes a lot of money and getting donations from wealthy people is required in most election runs. However, those donations also come quid-pro-quo with a request of the politician.
If the politician doesn't get people to vote for them, he will not be elected. If the politician takes money from a contributor that will affect a large number of votes, is he doing himself a disservice?
I think this is why most politicians have turned out to be liars recently. It is nearly impossible to have a personal agenda. The agenda of a politician is always going to be slanted away from their personal views and influenced by either money or votes. If we found an honest politician, we could have a solid government leader. Unfortunately, it is hard to get that person elected.
Journal 28, Week 10
Something from the Problem Solving 101 Book: Brazilian Soccer School
This is another tale about delving further into an issue than you originally think. At face value, the Rio school seemed to be the ideal situation for Kiwi. Had she simply let her initial research guide her decision she may have made a grave mistake. Her further researching the issue by networking with her coaches and students at the Rio school lead her to make a better informed decision.
Many times in life, we can be sold by fancy advertising and marketing campaigns. That doesn't always mean that we are making the best decision.
An example that comes to mind is car shopping. If a person buys a car purely off an advertisement, there is a good chance that the decision will be regrettable. A person should...
- read reviews of cars
- talk to owners of cars -and-
- test drive a variety of cars
...before making such a large decision. The investigation into their needs is critical in making a car purchase. As it should be with any serious decision. Maybe it's not necessary to determine which brand of deodorant you should buy, but with the purchase of a car or home or even school decision for your child, an evaluation of pros & cons is crucial. Not only are the pros and cons crucial, but weighting them by thinking of their importance to you is also critically important.
This is another tale about delving further into an issue than you originally think. At face value, the Rio school seemed to be the ideal situation for Kiwi. Had she simply let her initial research guide her decision she may have made a grave mistake. Her further researching the issue by networking with her coaches and students at the Rio school lead her to make a better informed decision.
Many times in life, we can be sold by fancy advertising and marketing campaigns. That doesn't always mean that we are making the best decision.
An example that comes to mind is car shopping. If a person buys a car purely off an advertisement, there is a good chance that the decision will be regrettable. A person should...
- read reviews of cars
- talk to owners of cars -and-
- test drive a variety of cars
...before making such a large decision. The investigation into their needs is critical in making a car purchase. As it should be with any serious decision. Maybe it's not necessary to determine which brand of deodorant you should buy, but with the purchase of a car or home or even school decision for your child, an evaluation of pros & cons is crucial. Not only are the pros and cons crucial, but weighting them by thinking of their importance to you is also critically important.
Journal 27, Week 9
What does this quote mean to you: The mind is its own place, and in itself, can make heaven of Hell, and a hell of Heaven
I think the meaning of this quote is obvious. It has a lot to do with perception.
I think about people who are living in housing projects, with no jobs or steady income flow, surrounding by crime and chaos - who always seem to say that God has blessed them. Their conditions are hellish to the naked eye, but they see the big points of life. They have their health, their faith, and their family for the most part. They may not have the finer things, but they can see God's work and they know they can be blessed.
At the same time, is the millionaire living in the mansion on the hill happy? He certainly may be, but sometimes those whoo seem to have it all have nothing at all. If his mindset is positive and he cherishes the big points of life, then they likely are. However, a weak minded millionaire can be the poorest person in the world.
I think the meaning of this quote is obvious. It has a lot to do with perception.
I think about people who are living in housing projects, with no jobs or steady income flow, surrounding by crime and chaos - who always seem to say that God has blessed them. Their conditions are hellish to the naked eye, but they see the big points of life. They have their health, their faith, and their family for the most part. They may not have the finer things, but they can see God's work and they know they can be blessed.
At the same time, is the millionaire living in the mansion on the hill happy? He certainly may be, but sometimes those whoo seem to have it all have nothing at all. If his mindset is positive and he cherishes the big points of life, then they likely are. However, a weak minded millionaire can be the poorest person in the world.
Journal 26, Week 9
Topic of My Choice: How important is discipline?
At the beginning of my season, I handed out team rules. They were pretty simple and to the point of stating that players need to prioritize tennis and attend practice and matches & to communicate with the coach if anything had to be missed. They are expected to work hard and be good student athletes by representing the tennis program well to the rest of the school. All the players had to read, initial each rule, and sign at the bottom along with a parent that they understood the rules.
The last practice of our regular season was rained out. I texted our captains that we would meet in the gym and do an hour and a half of conditioning and indoor drills. 16 of the 17 girls showed up for practice. 1 that did not was a senior.
Our last match of the regular season is typically "senior night" and I like to play all the seniors in the lineup. This girl had not made the varsity lineup (7 players play in a match) all season. This was also her first season playing tennis and my take on her was that she hadn't really made much effort to try to fit in with her teammates. She was usually looking for practice to come to an end, running at less than full speed during practice drills, waiting to leave matches as soon as possible, not sitting with the other girls, and not riding the bus home with the team after matches.
I sent an e-mail to her mother after practice advising her that her daughter had no-showed to practice which puts me in a tough spot since I had been intending to play her in the varsity match. Her mother replied to me that she was sorry, her daughter had gone home sick & asked mom to call me and mom had simply forgot. I pondered this and thought...Am I being told the whole story? Why didn't she call/text when the captains texted her? If I play her, what message does it send to the younger players? If I don't play her, what reaction will I get from her and her parents?
I confirmed with my captains that neither of them had been contacted back about why she could not attend practice. I asked them to make a decision, both of them being seniors and scheduled to play on senior night, on what they feel should happen if they were in the same situation. I asked them to talk it over with one another and let me know later that evening. Both captains called me and said that they understood the rules and that there was no excuse for not coming to practice without notice. They felt that the player should be sat out, even on senior night. I supported that decision...obviously the affected player and parents didn't like that.
I feel that it was the best decision based on the interest of the team. This made me realize that for the rest of my life, regardless of whether my career is coaching kids, business, or otherwise, my decisions will be based in order of what:
1) the team wants
2) an individual player wants
3) what I want
I will not make a decision that benefits me over a player or the team. I will also not make a decision that benefits an individual over the team as a whole. The team will guide my decision making process.
At the beginning of my season, I handed out team rules. They were pretty simple and to the point of stating that players need to prioritize tennis and attend practice and matches & to communicate with the coach if anything had to be missed. They are expected to work hard and be good student athletes by representing the tennis program well to the rest of the school. All the players had to read, initial each rule, and sign at the bottom along with a parent that they understood the rules.
The last practice of our regular season was rained out. I texted our captains that we would meet in the gym and do an hour and a half of conditioning and indoor drills. 16 of the 17 girls showed up for practice. 1 that did not was a senior.
Our last match of the regular season is typically "senior night" and I like to play all the seniors in the lineup. This girl had not made the varsity lineup (7 players play in a match) all season. This was also her first season playing tennis and my take on her was that she hadn't really made much effort to try to fit in with her teammates. She was usually looking for practice to come to an end, running at less than full speed during practice drills, waiting to leave matches as soon as possible, not sitting with the other girls, and not riding the bus home with the team after matches.
I sent an e-mail to her mother after practice advising her that her daughter had no-showed to practice which puts me in a tough spot since I had been intending to play her in the varsity match. Her mother replied to me that she was sorry, her daughter had gone home sick & asked mom to call me and mom had simply forgot. I pondered this and thought...Am I being told the whole story? Why didn't she call/text when the captains texted her? If I play her, what message does it send to the younger players? If I don't play her, what reaction will I get from her and her parents?
I confirmed with my captains that neither of them had been contacted back about why she could not attend practice. I asked them to make a decision, both of them being seniors and scheduled to play on senior night, on what they feel should happen if they were in the same situation. I asked them to talk it over with one another and let me know later that evening. Both captains called me and said that they understood the rules and that there was no excuse for not coming to practice without notice. They felt that the player should be sat out, even on senior night. I supported that decision...obviously the affected player and parents didn't like that.
I feel that it was the best decision based on the interest of the team. This made me realize that for the rest of my life, regardless of whether my career is coaching kids, business, or otherwise, my decisions will be based in order of what:
1) the team wants
2) an individual player wants
3) what I want
I will not make a decision that benefits me over a player or the team. I will also not make a decision that benefits an individual over the team as a whole. The team will guide my decision making process.
Journal 25, Week 9
How would I teach Critical Thinking to a loved one vs. an employee?
This is a little bit hard for me to imagine right now since I have no children. I am married to a wonderful woman that I could try to teach critical thinking to, but I'm not sure how that would affect the happiness of our marriage. I'll just take a stab at how I might teach this to our future children, if God blesses us with them one day.
With my tennis players, I generally will go over things at the beginning of practice. I ask for their understanding and ask for questions if they do not understand. I am very cognisant of making practice run efficiently and starts and ends on time. Therefore, I usually answer questions quickly with what I feel is the best answer. By making eye contact, I can usually see that they understand or not. If they don't, generally they are encouraged to work with their teammates together to resolve their understanding.
I would start by teaching critical thinking at a young age to my own child. If the child asks questions, I would try to always ask what they think first. If they respond with something off the wall, I would ask more questions to figure out what is really going through their mind. In the end, I would turn my answer into more of a dialogue with them aboiut the subject they are trying to learn. I would also try to get them to look things up on their own, or with my assistance so that they can see how information can be gained. With internet tools nowadays, it would be beneficial for them to learn to answer their own questions in an empowering way.
This is a little bit hard for me to imagine right now since I have no children. I am married to a wonderful woman that I could try to teach critical thinking to, but I'm not sure how that would affect the happiness of our marriage. I'll just take a stab at how I might teach this to our future children, if God blesses us with them one day.
With my tennis players, I generally will go over things at the beginning of practice. I ask for their understanding and ask for questions if they do not understand. I am very cognisant of making practice run efficiently and starts and ends on time. Therefore, I usually answer questions quickly with what I feel is the best answer. By making eye contact, I can usually see that they understand or not. If they don't, generally they are encouraged to work with their teammates together to resolve their understanding.
I would start by teaching critical thinking at a young age to my own child. If the child asks questions, I would try to always ask what they think first. If they respond with something off the wall, I would ask more questions to figure out what is really going through their mind. In the end, I would turn my answer into more of a dialogue with them aboiut the subject they are trying to learn. I would also try to get them to look things up on their own, or with my assistance so that they can see how information can be gained. With internet tools nowadays, it would be beneficial for them to learn to answer their own questions in an empowering way.
Journal 24, Week 8
Topic of my choice: Coaching Seniors to be Leaders
I have a very unique team makeup compared to most sports. My more talented players are sophomores this season and we lack talented players as juniors and seniors. However, two of my seniors that play for me I feel will be tremendous leaders one day. Both have personalities that the other players are drawn to and the younger players clearly respect and look up to them. They were voted captains at the beginning of the season and have served that job well. I entrust to them some responsibilities that are meant to empower them while at the same time showing the younger players that the captains are in charge. Some of the decisions that I have them make are:
- which uniforms to wear for matches (purple or white)
- what music do we listen to at practice and on the bus
- what is our pre-match ritual or chant
I also use them as a communication tool. I text these two players any updates on rainy days that impact our practice or matches I do this so it shows them that I am counting on them to make sure everyone hears from them, and not just me. I want to be the authority figure of the team, but it is important to me that there is a line of communication that flows through the leaders.
I try to go out of my way to thank these two for the efforts, regardless of how minimal the effort was. I hope that these two have gained from the season what it feels like to make decisions that impact their peers so that they are empowered to do that in the future. Combining this confidence with their natural intelligence is going to give them a big advantage in life.
I have a very unique team makeup compared to most sports. My more talented players are sophomores this season and we lack talented players as juniors and seniors. However, two of my seniors that play for me I feel will be tremendous leaders one day. Both have personalities that the other players are drawn to and the younger players clearly respect and look up to them. They were voted captains at the beginning of the season and have served that job well. I entrust to them some responsibilities that are meant to empower them while at the same time showing the younger players that the captains are in charge. Some of the decisions that I have them make are:
- which uniforms to wear for matches (purple or white)
- what music do we listen to at practice and on the bus
- what is our pre-match ritual or chant
I also use them as a communication tool. I text these two players any updates on rainy days that impact our practice or matches I do this so it shows them that I am counting on them to make sure everyone hears from them, and not just me. I want to be the authority figure of the team, but it is important to me that there is a line of communication that flows through the leaders.
I try to go out of my way to thank these two for the efforts, regardless of how minimal the effort was. I hope that these two have gained from the season what it feels like to make decisions that impact their peers so that they are empowered to do that in the future. Combining this confidence with their natural intelligence is going to give them a big advantage in life.
Journal 23, Week 8
What is one topic from class that you teach your employees? Why?
When I teach tennis, I attempt to let the student sink and swim. I have players from a wide variety of athletic backgrounds and a wide variety of educational standing.
Ideally, I like to work with the smartest and most athletic kids. However, there are only a few that I work with that have both a high athletic ability and a high intellect. My job is easy with them. I can simply show them or tell them how to change something and it usually works.
With a player that lacks athletic ability, but has a high intelect I still show them or tell them how to do something technical. I will let them do the skill to the best of their ability. However, when it is apparant that they cannot accomplish the skill it is important to break down the skill to something smaller. It is what I consider the whole-part-whole teaching concept. I will let them fail at the technical skill and then involve them in a more focused smaller teaching aspect. After they have a grasp of this finer skill, I will put them back into the original drill to see if they developed muscle memory. If they did, then I will finish the drill. If they did not, then I will often stop them and tell them that they need to spend some time over the next few days practicing the smaller skill so we can finish the drill next time. I then move on to a new drill involving something totally different that they may do better.
It is easier to teach an athletic kid that may lack a little intellectual ability. Even though they will not learn as quickly, they are usually able to be taught by associating a tennis skill with a skill that they naturally possess. In doing whole-part-whole teaching, I usually have them go through the part drill while I talk to them in sport terms that they are more familiar with - hitting a baseball or golf ball for example. Once I can get them thinking in comfortable terms I try to make a minor adjustment or two that will adapt their ability into a tennis skill.
With a player that lacks both athletic ability and intellectual capacity, it is much harder to get skills accomplished. But, as John Wooden teaches us, some kids will be C students while their peers are A students. I still attempt the whole-part-whole philosophy with these kids, but I tell myself not to expect perfection, since perfection is likely impossible. I encourage these kids to study themselves and watch good players. I advise them to try to imitate a good players stroke in the mirror at home and maybe even to videotape themselves and compare it. I find that a lot of times, these kids just need to try to copy someone or to see themselves play how they want to look like in order to get results. Regardless, I always encourage these players to work as hard as they possibly can, knowing in my mind that they will never be of an elite caliber. But if they see improvements within themselves, that is all I can ask for.
When I teach tennis, I attempt to let the student sink and swim. I have players from a wide variety of athletic backgrounds and a wide variety of educational standing.
Ideally, I like to work with the smartest and most athletic kids. However, there are only a few that I work with that have both a high athletic ability and a high intellect. My job is easy with them. I can simply show them or tell them how to change something and it usually works.
With a player that lacks athletic ability, but has a high intelect I still show them or tell them how to do something technical. I will let them do the skill to the best of their ability. However, when it is apparant that they cannot accomplish the skill it is important to break down the skill to something smaller. It is what I consider the whole-part-whole teaching concept. I will let them fail at the technical skill and then involve them in a more focused smaller teaching aspect. After they have a grasp of this finer skill, I will put them back into the original drill to see if they developed muscle memory. If they did, then I will finish the drill. If they did not, then I will often stop them and tell them that they need to spend some time over the next few days practicing the smaller skill so we can finish the drill next time. I then move on to a new drill involving something totally different that they may do better.
It is easier to teach an athletic kid that may lack a little intellectual ability. Even though they will not learn as quickly, they are usually able to be taught by associating a tennis skill with a skill that they naturally possess. In doing whole-part-whole teaching, I usually have them go through the part drill while I talk to them in sport terms that they are more familiar with - hitting a baseball or golf ball for example. Once I can get them thinking in comfortable terms I try to make a minor adjustment or two that will adapt their ability into a tennis skill.
With a player that lacks both athletic ability and intellectual capacity, it is much harder to get skills accomplished. But, as John Wooden teaches us, some kids will be C students while their peers are A students. I still attempt the whole-part-whole philosophy with these kids, but I tell myself not to expect perfection, since perfection is likely impossible. I encourage these kids to study themselves and watch good players. I advise them to try to imitate a good players stroke in the mirror at home and maybe even to videotape themselves and compare it. I find that a lot of times, these kids just need to try to copy someone or to see themselves play how they want to look like in order to get results. Regardless, I always encourage these players to work as hard as they possibly can, knowing in my mind that they will never be of an elite caliber. But if they see improvements within themselves, that is all I can ask for.
Journal 22, Week 8
Something from the Problem Solving 101 Book: Mushroom Lovers Band
The problem solving techniques of the band are very logical, yet they show how important it is to take your time before taking action.
As I read the story, I kept thinking to myself, "well they clearly need to market their shows better." I was taught something from the story at how they dug into the root causes of their low attendance. I know the story was fiction, but it was told very logically and believably. There were multiple reasons why they had low attendance and therefore multiple ways to drive towards a greater sized future audience.
This applies to many situations that I face. As a coach of a high school sport I am constantly trying to get better athletes to embrace the sport of tennis. I have been relatively successful in getting more and more players to come out for the team and I have the largest program in the entire upstate. However, there are athletes at the school that don't play tennis that could be really good if they learned the game. This tale has motivated me to seek new ways to attract these kids to tennis. I will certainly brainstorm this further over the coming months.
The problem solving techniques of the band are very logical, yet they show how important it is to take your time before taking action.
As I read the story, I kept thinking to myself, "well they clearly need to market their shows better." I was taught something from the story at how they dug into the root causes of their low attendance. I know the story was fiction, but it was told very logically and believably. There were multiple reasons why they had low attendance and therefore multiple ways to drive towards a greater sized future audience.
This applies to many situations that I face. As a coach of a high school sport I am constantly trying to get better athletes to embrace the sport of tennis. I have been relatively successful in getting more and more players to come out for the team and I have the largest program in the entire upstate. However, there are athletes at the school that don't play tennis that could be really good if they learned the game. This tale has motivated me to seek new ways to attract these kids to tennis. I will certainly brainstorm this further over the coming months.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Journal 21, Week 7
I am a better leader than I was 18 months ago because...
Two major reasons:
1) I believe that I can impact people's lives more today than a year and a half ago
2) I am studying and discussing leadership more often by taking this class
I took the job of coaching high school athletics because I enjoyed sports and wanted to be involved in sports. After 2 full seasons, I have realized that there is very little difference between coaching & managing in the business world. There are goals, there is scheduling, there is performace reviews, there is hassles, there is fun. However, now I am doing something that I truly love to do - teach.
Teaching a sport to a young mind is unlike any experience that I have ever been through. Kids have so much innocense on their side that it is just a more pure existence working with them rather than adults. My kids do certainly test me at times, but I am keenly aware of their interests and we discuss goals. I do a lot of goal conversations early in the season intentionally to get the kids to talk about what they are expecting from the season. The goals usually start with things like "beat Fort Mill" and "win the region" but the more they talk it out, it usually evolves down to "work hard" "get better" and "have fun"
I currently don't know if having an EMBA from Winthrop is going to be of any benefit to me as a line on my resume. What I do know is that I will forever be benefitted from taking the courses that have challenged me to think hard. I will also benefit from the people in my classes and being around such a great group of highly intelligent people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
Two major reasons:
1) I believe that I can impact people's lives more today than a year and a half ago
2) I am studying and discussing leadership more often by taking this class
I took the job of coaching high school athletics because I enjoyed sports and wanted to be involved in sports. After 2 full seasons, I have realized that there is very little difference between coaching & managing in the business world. There are goals, there is scheduling, there is performace reviews, there is hassles, there is fun. However, now I am doing something that I truly love to do - teach.
Teaching a sport to a young mind is unlike any experience that I have ever been through. Kids have so much innocense on their side that it is just a more pure existence working with them rather than adults. My kids do certainly test me at times, but I am keenly aware of their interests and we discuss goals. I do a lot of goal conversations early in the season intentionally to get the kids to talk about what they are expecting from the season. The goals usually start with things like "beat Fort Mill" and "win the region" but the more they talk it out, it usually evolves down to "work hard" "get better" and "have fun"
I currently don't know if having an EMBA from Winthrop is going to be of any benefit to me as a line on my resume. What I do know is that I will forever be benefitted from taking the courses that have challenged me to think hard. I will also benefit from the people in my classes and being around such a great group of highly intelligent people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
Journal 20, Week 7
If you were able to change one thing about the human body, what would it be?
People would have some kind of wings so they could fly. Pure and simple, if humans had the ability to fly it would alleviate so much pressure. We would be more mobile without the reliance on machines.
People would have some kind of wings so they could fly. Pure and simple, if humans had the ability to fly it would alleviate so much pressure. We would be more mobile without the reliance on machines.
Journal 19, Week 7
What is the best advice you ever received? Ever gave?
My dad emphasized to me during the summer before my sophomore year that sometimes life isn't fair, sometimes people make decisions around you that you disagree with, sometimes the person making that decision is your boss. I had just quit a lawnmowing/landscaping job because I didn't like how my boss planned out our projects. It's a long story that I cannot remember all the details of, but I do remember that I was making pretty good money & I should have kept my mouth shut and continued making money that summer.
The advice from my father is something that I continue to tell myself to this day. Currently, I do not agree with much of the politics in the US. I realize that I won't agree with the Obama administration on many topics simply because I was raised with different values than they are imposing. At the same time, I respect the fact that the federal government is at least trying to enact policy with the intention of helping the country.
I think the best advice I ever gave to someone was this quote that I now have on my email signature when I send things out to my tennis players:
"A player can't say they have the will to win. A will to win is something that teammates must see in each other's eyes and believe in their hearts."
This is something that came to me after seeing Brett Favre's locker room meeting with reporters after his first game against Green Bay this year on Monday night football. His teammates, when interviewed, all spoke about how they just saw in Brett's eyes that he was focused and determined. I said this quote to my wife & immediately wrote it down.
I honestly cannot say that I have seen the results of this yet. I certainly have seen times with my tennis players when they have the look in their eyes and when they don't. It is very hard for them to overcome their opponent when this look is missing and impossible when their opponent is of equal or greater talent level. Having that mental focus is what takes an average player and turns them into a good player in my opinion.
My dad emphasized to me during the summer before my sophomore year that sometimes life isn't fair, sometimes people make decisions around you that you disagree with, sometimes the person making that decision is your boss. I had just quit a lawnmowing/landscaping job because I didn't like how my boss planned out our projects. It's a long story that I cannot remember all the details of, but I do remember that I was making pretty good money & I should have kept my mouth shut and continued making money that summer.
The advice from my father is something that I continue to tell myself to this day. Currently, I do not agree with much of the politics in the US. I realize that I won't agree with the Obama administration on many topics simply because I was raised with different values than they are imposing. At the same time, I respect the fact that the federal government is at least trying to enact policy with the intention of helping the country.
I think the best advice I ever gave to someone was this quote that I now have on my email signature when I send things out to my tennis players:
"A player can't say they have the will to win. A will to win is something that teammates must see in each other's eyes and believe in their hearts."
This is something that came to me after seeing Brett Favre's locker room meeting with reporters after his first game against Green Bay this year on Monday night football. His teammates, when interviewed, all spoke about how they just saw in Brett's eyes that he was focused and determined. I said this quote to my wife & immediately wrote it down.
I honestly cannot say that I have seen the results of this yet. I certainly have seen times with my tennis players when they have the look in their eyes and when they don't. It is very hard for them to overcome their opponent when this look is missing and impossible when their opponent is of equal or greater talent level. Having that mental focus is what takes an average player and turns them into a good player in my opinion.
Journal 18, Week 6
I have struggled to brainstorm for a topic of my choice. I had a discussion with my wife Tuesday night after her match that I felt could apply to leadership.
Since my wife & I both coach teams in totally different sports, we often find that we can help each other. At the same time, sometimes the advice I relay to her is not appropriate for volleyball and vice versa her's to tennis.
Sally has struggled with getting some of her players to buy in to her concept of a total-team-player. She wants to mold players into athletes that will play their guts out every day in practice to make themselves and their team better. Regardless of who plays in matches, we both agree, it is crucial that every player seeks to continuously improve themself so that the team can become better.
Some players feel that playing time is the only way that they can see results. Sally is very clear with them that if they work hard, playing time will result based on the level of effort put forward. What some players don't understand is that they are not playing for their high school or club team where they were the star. They are playing on an "all-star" team that was selected to receive a place on the team. Some players are unable to work hard for their spot because they have never been pushed or had a chance to lose playing time. Their previous teams have purely needed them on the court because they were the best player available. Players also feel that because they provide good individual statistics that they have proved that they can contribute. Sometimes, we both agree, that is the case and the team is successful and the stats show the reason how it happened. Other times, stats can be deceiving and the team is not successful even though an individual's performance may have shined.
After matches, Sally provides quotes to the sports information department that get posted to the Winthrop website & released to the media. I pointed out to Sally that she often provides a quote that references individual statistics. Here is an example:
“We started off strong offensively making good shots against Radford’s defense,” coach Sally Polhamus said. “We lost the tempo of the match in sets two and three but regained it in set four, hitting .414.”
I feel that this overemphasizes the importance of hitting and could be downplaying the importance or serving, receiving serve, blocking, digs, etc.
Sally's previous boss, Bond Shymansky, is now the head coach at Marquette University. Sally credits most of her coaching style to Shymansky and I agree that he is an excellent example. Here is a quote from him after a recent Marquette match:
"...today we stayed strong the whole way through and executed just perfectly in passing.That helped us a ton. I told the team that I believed in them, and that I believe that they have a great attitude about what they can accomplish, and they did, they showed it. They showed it before the match, they showed it during warm up, they showed it all the way through the match. It's a good win for us; we needed it for sure. We need to take that confidence on the road next weekend."
To me, the difference is that Shymansky emphasizd team over statistics. Obviously, he felt that passing was the key. However when his team reads the post they will see that it was important to pass well, but that ultimately it was the belief and attitude that were the difference.
Maybe Sally is right and the key to the match is what needs to be relayed through the media. She agrees that Shymansky's release sounded better than hers & she will try to make quotes that are along that front. Hopefully the Eagles get a win on Friday at Presbyterian and wee can find out.
Since my wife & I both coach teams in totally different sports, we often find that we can help each other. At the same time, sometimes the advice I relay to her is not appropriate for volleyball and vice versa her's to tennis.
Sally has struggled with getting some of her players to buy in to her concept of a total-team-player. She wants to mold players into athletes that will play their guts out every day in practice to make themselves and their team better. Regardless of who plays in matches, we both agree, it is crucial that every player seeks to continuously improve themself so that the team can become better.
Some players feel that playing time is the only way that they can see results. Sally is very clear with them that if they work hard, playing time will result based on the level of effort put forward. What some players don't understand is that they are not playing for their high school or club team where they were the star. They are playing on an "all-star" team that was selected to receive a place on the team. Some players are unable to work hard for their spot because they have never been pushed or had a chance to lose playing time. Their previous teams have purely needed them on the court because they were the best player available. Players also feel that because they provide good individual statistics that they have proved that they can contribute. Sometimes, we both agree, that is the case and the team is successful and the stats show the reason how it happened. Other times, stats can be deceiving and the team is not successful even though an individual's performance may have shined.
After matches, Sally provides quotes to the sports information department that get posted to the Winthrop website & released to the media. I pointed out to Sally that she often provides a quote that references individual statistics. Here is an example:
“We started off strong offensively making good shots against Radford’s defense,” coach Sally Polhamus said. “We lost the tempo of the match in sets two and three but regained it in set four, hitting .414.”
I feel that this overemphasizes the importance of hitting and could be downplaying the importance or serving, receiving serve, blocking, digs, etc.
Sally's previous boss, Bond Shymansky, is now the head coach at Marquette University. Sally credits most of her coaching style to Shymansky and I agree that he is an excellent example. Here is a quote from him after a recent Marquette match:
"...today we stayed strong the whole way through and executed just perfectly in passing.That helped us a ton. I told the team that I believed in them, and that I believe that they have a great attitude about what they can accomplish, and they did, they showed it. They showed it before the match, they showed it during warm up, they showed it all the way through the match. It's a good win for us; we needed it for sure. We need to take that confidence on the road next weekend."
To me, the difference is that Shymansky emphasizd team over statistics. Obviously, he felt that passing was the key. However when his team reads the post they will see that it was important to pass well, but that ultimately it was the belief and attitude that were the difference.
Maybe Sally is right and the key to the match is what needs to be relayed through the media. She agrees that Shymansky's release sounded better than hers & she will try to make quotes that are along that front. Hopefully the Eagles get a win on Friday at Presbyterian and wee can find out.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Journal 17, Week 6
What is one topic from class that you teach to your employees? Why?
As mentioned in previous posts, I work as a high school tennis coach as my part time job. Clearly, this makes me very interested in reading a Leadership book such as the John Wooden one we are studying. The Pyramid of Success is very true to what I do since I am able to teach sports to kids. I read it at the very beginning of the semester & I am concious of the Pyramid on a daily basis at practice & in matches.
One thing that I have found to be very evident in working with kids and coaching athletics is that my enthusiasm level relays directly to my team. On days that I am at a high energy level, we have high energy practices. When I am off a little bit, and it doesn't take much, the practice or match results are fairly predictable.
Yesterday at practice I played a little mind trick on the team. We play Ft Mill HS, a team that we are equivalent to at most matches. I told myself that I was going to get the girls as fired up as if they were going to play a national championship. We talked before and after practice and we did a couple things different at practice.
1) We had the BEAT FORT MILL rule at practice. Whenever myself, or a captain yelled out, "Beat!" the rest of the team would reply "Fort Mill!"
2) We established the BEAT FORT MILL rule for school the next day. The captains & I told the players that whenever they see each other in school during the day, they have to look each other in the eye and say "Beat Fort Mill."
I know that Wooden wasn't one to talk about winning and that he prided himself on continuous improvement over winning. But, my assessment of my team is that they enjoy talking about winning & they have good attitudes about it. We play matches that we are even with our opponent's skill level and some that we are better than our opponents. I tend to use the word "win" when discussing those teams. However, we also play teams that are much better than us at times. My wording has mysteriously changed from "win" to "have success" when we go against those schools.
I am planning on printing out Wooden's Pyramid from coachwooden.com and giving it to each player at the end of the season. I think that after they see it, they will probably understand why I have acted the way I have all season.
As mentioned in previous posts, I work as a high school tennis coach as my part time job. Clearly, this makes me very interested in reading a Leadership book such as the John Wooden one we are studying. The Pyramid of Success is very true to what I do since I am able to teach sports to kids. I read it at the very beginning of the semester & I am concious of the Pyramid on a daily basis at practice & in matches.
One thing that I have found to be very evident in working with kids and coaching athletics is that my enthusiasm level relays directly to my team. On days that I am at a high energy level, we have high energy practices. When I am off a little bit, and it doesn't take much, the practice or match results are fairly predictable.
Yesterday at practice I played a little mind trick on the team. We play Ft Mill HS, a team that we are equivalent to at most matches. I told myself that I was going to get the girls as fired up as if they were going to play a national championship. We talked before and after practice and we did a couple things different at practice.
1) We had the BEAT FORT MILL rule at practice. Whenever myself, or a captain yelled out, "Beat!" the rest of the team would reply "Fort Mill!"
2) We established the BEAT FORT MILL rule for school the next day. The captains & I told the players that whenever they see each other in school during the day, they have to look each other in the eye and say "Beat Fort Mill."
I know that Wooden wasn't one to talk about winning and that he prided himself on continuous improvement over winning. But, my assessment of my team is that they enjoy talking about winning & they have good attitudes about it. We play matches that we are even with our opponent's skill level and some that we are better than our opponents. I tend to use the word "win" when discussing those teams. However, we also play teams that are much better than us at times. My wording has mysteriously changed from "win" to "have success" when we go against those schools.
I am planning on printing out Wooden's Pyramid from coachwooden.com and giving it to each player at the end of the season. I think that after they see it, they will probably understand why I have acted the way I have all season.
Journal 16, Week 6
If you had to describe your personality in terms of a farm animal, what would it be & why?
I would like to say that I am the rooster, but I'm not sure how confident I am in being the morning go-getter. I am a morning person, but not one to get things riled up first thing in the AM.
I would like to say that I am the stallion or bull on the farm. The dominant male type that struts around with power. But, that also isn't me.
I don't think that I'm a cow, a pig, or a chicken of course. Although, my wife would argue that I am a pig sometimes.
I think my personality is more in line with a young bronco horse. The type of horse that a cowboy rides around as they herd cattle. I am an outsider who can be intimidating when I want to be to get others in line, but also and subservient to those above me.
I would like to say that I am the rooster, but I'm not sure how confident I am in being the morning go-getter. I am a morning person, but not one to get things riled up first thing in the AM.
I would like to say that I am the stallion or bull on the farm. The dominant male type that struts around with power. But, that also isn't me.
I don't think that I'm a cow, a pig, or a chicken of course. Although, my wife would argue that I am a pig sometimes.
I think my personality is more in line with a young bronco horse. The type of horse that a cowboy rides around as they herd cattle. I am an outsider who can be intimidating when I want to be to get others in line, but also and subservient to those above me.
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