Resemble or rebel?

There is one gift than any coach should be excited to receive. It would be motivating, eye opening and hopefully generate self reflection that makes us better teachers AND better learners.

It's not a video series, a book or a cool leather organizer with clipboard, lineup wheel and small white board inside. It's much simpler.

A mirror.

As a player, working hard- hustling and running and hitting the floor, what does it tell them when the coach is sitting...SITTING on the other side of the court watching and shouting instruction?

What does it tell a team when a coach enters  and plays in the drill while eligible players are left to stand off, waiting their turn to get better at a sport they might now be falling out of love with? 

How about the beach coach that pulls up a chair in the shade and sits down, watching the kids in the clinic sweating and running through their drills and workout under the blazing sun.

Put yourself in their shoes for just a minute. How do YOU feel about the boss that flies first class but leaves you in coach? How about when she decides to take the afternoon off to be with her family but doesn't allow you the same opportunity? Or the manager that makes you wear a mask while you are working but then never wears theirs? Can you feel your blood starting to boil just reading these scenarios? 

American Statesman Adlai Stevenson once said, "A hypocrite is the kind of politician who would cut down a redwood tree, then mount the stump and make a speech for conservation."  

Look in that mirror and check yourself. If you were an athlete, would your posture, your body language, your conduct be that of which your athletes would want to resemble or rebel against? If a player sat down in your team huddle, what would be your response? 

A culture is only as good as the model of it's leader. As a coach, you have a chance to significantly impact your culture, your athletes and how they represent the sport you are coaching. Hypocrisy is a curse upon culture that is an ever opened wound.

Let's see our reflection and be the intention.