Leadership Information


Coaching a Leader


One of my favorite memories growing up as a child was making trips with my family to my sister's volleyball tournaments on the weekends. Those memories are filled with being a part of an exciting atmosphere, sitting in the stands and watching the action-packed games. Along with watching my sister play, I recall two other players by the names of Christy and Liz, who stood out to me because of their athletic talent on the court. Over the four years of my sister's high school career, I followed their volleyball careers as well because Christy was my sister's teammate, and Liz was a player from a rival school.

Several years later, I started high school sports, and during the off-season, joined a club volleyball team. When I met my coaches, I was surprised to find out that it was Christy and Liz. They were coming off of seasoned volleyball careers on the collegiate level. I was eager at the opportunity to play under the direction of two favorite athletic role models.

When I think of that one particular season with my two coaches, I recognize it as the best season that I have ever experienced. Likewise, I can distinguish Christy and Liz as the best coaches whom I have ever associated with. As far as my physical abilities and coaching guidance are concerned, I had the best physical and mental growth with volleyball under their coaching.

As effective coaches, Christy and Liz have demonstrated ideal qualities that have made a positive contribution to their coaching abilities.

Leaders as athletes: During their playing careers, Christy and Liz were both the go-to players on the court, the MVPs of their team, and arguably the most exciting players to watch. Their leadership attributes were demonstrated by making amazing plays and scoring many points for their team. Christy and Liz were not just any former athletes; they were the elitist among their teammates. Their leadership as players transitioned easily into their new roles as coaches. As coaches, they would expect the same standards that they were up against when they were players. Those high standards elevated us to challenging, but very attainable goals.

Player experience: There are many pros of being a former athlete turned coach. First of all, Christy and Liz could empathize with us because they also had played on the court. They knew of the competition and conditioning needed to excel in volleyball. They knew firsthand how hard it was to balance sports, schooling, and other activities at the same time. They knew what to look for in their players' potential. I remember feeling more confident when my coaches gave me one-on-one advice about what I needed to work on to become a better player. I appreciated their mentoring because I knew it was backed by their own experiences on and off the volleyball court.

Enthusiastic and energized: I have come across many athletic peers, and the ones who have succeeded are those who have played for the love of the game. Athletes can perform at various levels of talent, but if their heart is not 100% into the game, they will most likely not continue playing much longer. My coaches had incredible talent as players, but it was not without their enthusiasm and giving their all on the volleyball court, that improved their performance. Their positive energy excited us as players and it impacted the way we were playing. At practices, Christy and Liz actually played against us, giving us much competition and hands-on coaching. Their animation on the sidelines and constant feedback and advice was very motivating.

I credit Christy and Liz for being the best coaches to me during my playing days in high school. What sets them different than any other coach whom I have had was that I had the opportunity to see them as players years before they were coaches. They obtained leadership coaching through their many stages of playing volleyball and brought that to their coaching game.

Stephanie Tuia is a Client Account Specialist with 10x Marketing.

To learn more about Leadership Coaching and CMOE's experience with organizations around the world please visit CMOE or contact one of our Regional Managers at (801) 569-3444.


MORE RESOURCES:

Kansas City Star

Ford's Theatre opens center to study Lincoln in DC
CBS News
The Ford's Theatre Center for Education and Leadership opens to the public Sunday, the 203rd anniversary of Lincoln's birth. The new center built in a 10-story former office building is part of a $60 million project to create a four-part campus for ...
Lincoln Museum, Act II, the Morning After the DeathNew York Times
Ford's Theatre opens center to study Lincoln in D.C.StarNewsOnline.com
Ford's Theatre Center for Education and Leadership opens to study Abraham ...Art Daily

all 264 news articles »


ABC7Chicago.com

Former Polish leader Lech Walesa tours Lincoln Presidential Museum
The State Journal-Register
By CHRIS DETTRO Former Polish leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Lech Walesa toured the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum Friday morning after having received the presidential library foundation's leadership prize. At a ceremony in Walesa's honor ...
Lech Wałęsa receives Lincoln Leadership Prizethenews.pl

all 22 news articles »


House Leadership Sticks With Familiar Issues
OzarksFirst.com
"We're handling familiar issues during the early weeks of the session," said House Majority Leader Tim Jones, R-Eureka. The anti-discrimination legislation is a nod to the state's business community. Several of the state's largest business ...

and more »


Ford's leadership pushes deeper into era of stability
The Detroit News
The next generation of leadership at Ford Motor Co. is quietly stepping up, a refreshing change from the frequent executive drama before CEO Alan Mulally arrived more than five years ago. In a sweeping move Thursday, the automaker said that Chief ...

and more »


Afro American

Has the Black Leadership Abandoned Roland Martin?
Afro American
The furor over CNN contributor Roland Martin's controversial Super Bowl tweets and his subsequent suspension by the network has, curiously, been devoid of comment by Black leadership. “I am very embarrassed at the silence within the Black leadership ...

and more »


OregonLive.com

Oregon State Beavers basketball: The Beavers' leadership void
OregonLive.com
“We have had a void on a leadership standpoint all year long,'' Robinson said. “When I say void, I am talking about the vocal leader. We have several guys who lead by example, but sometimes you need a guy at practice or in games to just call everyone ...

and more »


Akron Beacon Journal

Akron General CEO resigns, board names physician leader new CEO
Akron Beacon Journal
Vincent J. McCorkle gave up his leadership role to spend quality time with his family after a short leave of absence because of a “serious health condition,” the health system said in a news release. The system's board named Dr. Thomas L. “Tim” Stover ...

and more »


Five Northwest Tribal Leaders to Join Rising Network
Native Times
PORTLAND, OR-Nominations are open for Ecotrust's 11th annual Indigenous Leadership Award, recognizing native leaders dedicated to improving the social, economic, and environmental conditions of their homelands. Since 2001, Ecotrust has recognized 48 ...

and more »


PR Web (press release)

Lincoln Leadership Institute to Light Candles on Virtual Birthday Cake for Lincoln
PR Web (press release)
The Lincoln Leadership Institute at Gettysburg is inviting the public to submit birthday messages to commemorate President Abraham Lincoln's 203rd birthday. When 203 messages are received, The Lincoln Leadership Institute will officially light the ...

and more »


Toronto Star

NDP leadership hopeful Thomas Mulcair: 'We have to renew'
Toronto Star
Mulcair, one of seven candidates vying to succeed Jack Layton as the NDP's leader in a vote on March 24, told the Toronto Star's editorial board the party has to move beyond “some of the 1950s boilerplate” language of social democracy.
Romeo Saganash drops NDP leadership bidCBC.ca
NDP candidates face off in Quebec as popularity fadesVancouver Sun
Saganash out of NDP leadership raceToronto Sun
Globe and Mail
all 107 news articles »

Google News

home | site map
© 2007