Defining Your Coaching True North

When you consider getting paid, how you impact, and what influence you project – you are defining your Coaching True North which can come in very handy to overcome the ups and downs of a season and coaching career. #DailyMight

You hear often in coaching circles talk about knowing and executing your why when coaching youth sports. And while that is super helpful in the long run (and I encourage it), another thing I’m a big fan of is what I like to call your #CoachingTrueNorth. While your why is typically a single phrase that keeps your motivation going, your coaching True North is the perennial train tracks of your coaching journey. The guidelines you put in place that help you accomplish what you want out of coaching. Your coaching True North takes into consideration values, beliefs, and your purpose. It keeps you on track. And although it’s different for all coaches, if you take these three things into consideration — defining your Coaching True North becomes much more easy.

Income

Coaching can be for fun, for community, or for money. Nothing is better or worse for either of them, but it looks a little different for each income consideration. Decide early on if getting paid fits within your Coaching True North. Getting paid to transfer your wisdom to youth athletes is not a bad thing. However, it does bring additional responsibilities and adds layers of expectations. So when defining your True North, make sure you’ve decided already if getting paid is required.

Impact

As a coach, you have a tremendous opportunity to impact athletes, other coaches, parents, support staff, and members of the community in which you’re coaching in. Being cognizant of the impact that you want to make helps define your True North. Are you an empathetic coach who wants to develop an athlete’s love of the game? Do you want to concentrate on skill growth, and be an expert in your sport? Both are great journeys and have a tremendous impact on athletes. Consider your impact and lean into it.

Influence

Your attitude, demeanor, and coaching style all influence a team for a season and beyond. Your objectives and coaching style are projected onto your team. How you make decisions, how you communicate them, and what your plan is all influence the success of a season. Your coaching True North needs to be detailed in all three. Defining your influence goals in coaching helps you to understand the connection you want with team members. Influence is long term, and can last for years. It must be considered.

Your coaching True North and your coaching why live in the same book — but are different chapters. Your why brings you enjoyment, fulfillment, and satisfaction for the work that you are doing. You’re coaching True North dictates the how, why, and the what from your coaching. Actively developing and staying true to your True North take discipline and structure. But when you consider getting paid, how you impact, and what influence you project – you are defining your coaching True North which can come in very handy to overcome the ups and downs of a season and coaching career. Good luck, and thank you for being a youth sports coach.

Give everything your everything. And then some.

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