I often think about the parallels between business and elite sports leadership and coaching. Both have a defining feature of understanding people.
Yet, one main difference is that leaders in sports (coaches, players) perform live “every day” in front of roaring crowds and are subject to often the scrutiny of social media. Business leaders have very different venue often behind “closed doors”.
The sports leader sets the vision and values, employs a strategy, and ultimately selects the right people to execute. How do you really reach people/players so that they know you understand them and listen intently?
Authenticity is at the heart of connection and success. Sports leaders must be self-aware and mindful of others. Its when transparency reigns and belief set in. Because people must believe and trust each other. A teammate might employ this coaching mindset. Come to understand his/her teammate so that bond exists. Great teams of yesteryear like the Boston Celtics in the days of Bird, Havlicek had that special connection.
Authenticity starts with our:
1. thoughts
2. emotions
3. intuition
Sports and business leaders are often making quick decisions. But making informed decisions better guides our choices of what to do. That means being in tune with what’s really going on, how it makes you feel, and what does it say about what you want to accomplish.
An elite sports coach said recently that one needs to operate in PEAK environment for success to happen.
Poised
Enlightened
Adaptable
Knowledge-seeking
Authenticity is understanding yourself first and then how it shows up with others.
