Two Coaches Two Approaches

 Not everyone can coach. Sometimes the best or star athlete is not the best coach. Often coaching as with most leadership type positions require a standard but a flexibility within that standard. What makes a winning coach?  Obviously, knowledge of the game and understanding how to implement that knowledge in the best possible way for the team and talent that the team possesses. I can think of two coaches that I have come across over the years. Each one very successful in their own way. However, one was much more positive in several ways.

In the 1960's I had a cousin who played baseball at a very high level in college. He was being watched by major league scouts as was the centerfielder on the team. It was a relatively small college, yet they seemed to wind up in the College World Series. Years later, I asked my cousin what made the teams so competitive and good. He would always say great teammates and a great coach. What made the coach so good? He had the unique ability to assess and meet the player where they were. He knew how to motivate each player individually.

For example, if you reamed out my cousin, or belittled him he would work harder and improve. However, if you took that same approach with the centerfielder he would be hurt and just give up. Both players were sensitive just in different ways. The coach who deciphers and understands this has a much better chance of being successful in getting his point across in a manner that will last and have a positive impact.

The other coach was equally successful. His approach was much different. He was loud and powerful. He would break you down and verbally attack you until you responded. He was successful. He did develop some great athletes that have done well since then. However, the problem I saw develop was that for each one he made great he ruined if not destroyed 10 others. The point is that whether a teacher, a parent, a pastor, or a coach you can bully or coerce people into what you think is good for them. And it may be, but at what cost. 

The Bible illustrates a God who is more similar to the first coach than the second one. The Lord is not going to train me, discipline me, chastise me, based on someone else's talent and ability. The Lord seems to know exactly what you and I need exactly the way and the time we need it. In a sense what I am saying is that the first coach made it personal, a personal relationship. The second coach made it corporate, my way or the highway. Thank the Lord that God is more interested in a personal relationship than with sacrifice. Not that sacrifice is not warranted at times, but God is more concerned about your heart, who you are.

You get more effort out of encouragement than coercion and you get better effort out of faith than out of fear.