by Michael Riggs, M.Ed.<\/p>\n
The days of \u201cdo it because I said so\u201d coaching <\/strong>are long gone. One could validly argue that great coaches<\/strong>, from Bill Walsh to Pat Summitt to Joe Torre, never did employ the dictatorship philosophy, anyway. Today\u2019s athletes are much more aware of their personal rights and reasons. Today\u2019s athletes want to be treated as people first and are less likely to put up with a demeaning and tyrannical coach<\/strong>. Today\u2019s athletes want to be treated fairly and respectfully. Today\u2019s athletes have evolved.<\/p>\n The latest and greatest buzz word for teams <\/strong>and organizations these days is \u201cownership<\/strong>.\u201d At its very core, ownership <\/strong>maintains that \u201csomething is mine.\u201d And, when an individual owns something, be it large or small, he is more likely to work toward keeping and developing <\/strong>it. As coaches<\/strong>, one of the greatest challenges faced is guiding our players <\/strong>to develop and maintain a sense of self-development<\/strong>. After all, how good are we as coaches if our players only work hard when we are pushing them? How successful <\/strong>will we be if our players only perform when we are driving them?<\/p>\n Developing ownership <\/strong>within the team<\/strong>, for the team<\/strong>, and from the team <\/strong>will allow you, as coach, to focus on the bigger picture; strategizing to win.<\/p>\n So, how do the great ones do it? All great coaches involve their players, to some degree, in the design and implementation of the success <\/strong>strategy<\/strong>. There is no better question to ask a player than, \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d By inviting the player into the developmental <\/strong>process you are saying to him, \u201cI respect your opinion. I want you to help us, and yourself, to become more than we are today. I want you to own both your individual success <\/strong>and failure and our team\u2019s performance.\u201d<\/p>\n It is such a simple concept, but most coaches <\/strong>tend to be caught up in their own storms that they do not take the time to engage the cogs of the machine in the ownership <\/strong>of its overall success<\/strong>. For coaches that have the excessive need to control all facets of the program, you will have a very difficult time letting go of the reins and engaging your team in the process of development <\/strong>and success<\/strong>. Letting go is never an easy task. But, the long term benefits far outweigh the short term risks. After all, great teams work toward a common goal\u2026 not just your goal.<\/p>\n S\u00b2 Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n Include your players <\/strong>in decision-making processes to enhance their ownership <\/strong>of the results.<\/p>\n In Another\u2019s Words\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe biggest mistake we could ever make in our lives is to think we work for anybody but ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2013 Brian Tracy, speaker<\/p>\n Related Articles<\/p>\n How To Help Team Members Take Ownership<\/a><\/p>\n Building Team Ownership<\/a><\/p>\n
\nAs a result, excessive energy is wasted on punishment for non-adherence to team rules, never-ending \u201cmotivational programs,\u201d and keeping the ship afloat, instead of winning the race.<\/p>\n