Strength Coach Chronicles – Problem Solver
Sticking with the themes presented in Amazon’s Working Backwards, I want to look at Problem Solving with the Chronicles this month. One of the best attributes a coach can have is being curious. Asking questions, forming hypotheses, and creating experiments is what a good S&C coach does. This, however, does not always lead to actually […]
Strength Coach Chronicles – The Art of Saying No
This will come off as polarizing, I am sure. On the one hand, someone will read this and know exactly why saying ‘no’ is important. On the other hand, someone will read this and be insulted. What I want to do with this blog is first evaluate why saying ‘no’ is important, why saying ‘no’ […]
Strength Coach Chronicles – Reliability
What is better: to be on time and incapable or to be late and capable? It is really a chicken or the egg scenario in that neither is ideal. To a degree, someone who is reliable is more valuable than someone who is unreliable, regardless of ability. The reason is fairly simple; you can only […]
Strength Coach Chronicles – Redeemable Value
The first question I give to my staff when they transition from Intern to Associate Coach is how are you going to bring redeemable value? This is not as natural of a transition as one might think. The role as a volunteer is about supporting without thinking. The role of a paid employee is support […]
Strength Coach Chronicles – Invest in Yourself
A common problem with athletic departments is leveraging continuing education with their employees. Part of it is that most departments within the athletic department do not value continuing education as much as S&C. When requesting to be reimbursed for a seminar or a course, you get a funny look, as if that is your responsibility. […]
Strength Coach Chronicles – Choose the Right Path
The first question I ask someone when they interview to intern with me is: “What is your best case scenario from this internship?” It is an important question, and one that is never really asked. Everyone has dreams, but no one has a plan for how to get there. The next question, and probably the […]
Strength Coach Chronicles – Time to leave
You are replaceable. This is what you will find out when you leave. A worse outcome: they do not even replace your position after you leave. They just let your position disappear. You impacted several lives, you got up before the sun came up and left after the sun went down for more days than […]
Strength Coach Chronicles – When You Should Ask For a Raise?
You are bringing Redeemable Value that garners a raise You have Leverage that garners you a raise Ideally, your hard work should be rewarded. Administration sees the early mornings and long days, the work you are doing outside to improve yourself, and the direct relationship you have with the athletes. In truth, administration probably does […]