| Successful coaches never have "perfection" as their goal. If they did, they would fail every time. We live in an imperfect world where problems always happen. Certainly, a coach should strive for excellence, but he should expect problems to just happen. And believe it or not, you as the coach should welcome them. Problems almost always create opportunities - to learn, grow and to improve.
All coaches can become good problem solvers. To do so, you must do four things:
- You must anticipate problems before they happen.
- You must maintain a positive attitude while they happen.
- You must use all your resources to solve the problem as quickly as possible so the cease to happen.
- And finally, you must learn from them so the same problems do not happen again.
Most issues requiring a coach's problem-solving skills fall into one of three categories. They are either with the athlete, preparation, or competition issues.
Problem Solving Issues with Athletes
Issues with athletes require good communication skills as well as good problem solving skills. One common problem is that the athletes don't work together as a team. Another problem may involve athletes who are facing personal issues that require a coach's assistance and patient understanding. Possibly the most frustrating problem occurs when a player is not reaching their potential. A good coach must work with the athlete to help them identify their goals and then motivate them so that he/she begins to grow again.
Problem Solving Issues with Preparation
Probably the most common problem associated with preparation is the boredom factor. Many of the basics must taken care of in the preparation process can be boring. Good coaches provide a climate that minimizes boredom and reminds athletes (and their staff!) the positive results that preparation brings.
Related to problem of boredom is morale. When morale is low, so is production. Good coaches keep their athletes' attitudes positive.
The last problem is a failure to prepare differently for different opponents. Good coaches approach each opponent from a fresh perspective and with creativity. If each new opponent is regarded as unique, success is more likely to come to the team.
Problem Solving Issues in Competition
Good coaches always approach the competition with a game plan. That is a proactive approach. However, because problems do happen, good coaches also recognize that they may need to make reactionary decisions - decisions that should be made quickly then communicated clearly and immediately.
General Ulyssess S. Grant kept a rather simple-minded soldier close to him at all time during the Civil War. When Grant was prepared to give an order to one of his generals, he first gave the command to the common soldier to be sure he could understand it. In that way, he was sure all of his communication was clear and understandable.
Finally, all coaches recognize that their decisions will be criticized. No matter how the problem is solved, someone will say it was the wrong decision. A coach must learn to follow his convictions despite the roar from the crowd.
Final Thoughts
As you prepare for problems, keep in mind these words by Tom Landry, Hall of Fame coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Landry said:
"A successful leader has to be innovative. If you're not one step ahead of the crowd, you'll be a step behind everyone else."
Approach problem solving creatively. And use all your people as resources. That's one of the reasons you've worked so hard to select and develop them.
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