Model The Behavior

“Leading by example is exceedingly hard. Not because leaders can’t set a strong example others will follow, but rather because truly leading by example requires near-perfect consistency. Any deviation, exception, hypocrisy, or departure from the example negates whatever made it so worth following to begin with.

A leader who displays and acts with integrity can’t do so 99 percent of the time and still serve as an example. It’s 100 percent or nothing when it comes to illustrating for others what we hope they will emulate. 

Team members and colleagues watch leaders like hawks. They zoom in on what leaders do with great consistency and purpose. When they have immense respect for those leaders, they learn from their example.”  - Admired Leaders

I’ve always said the biggest difference between being an assistant coach and becoming a head coach is that, as a head coach, you are always “on.” You are always the guy expected to provide direction, answer the questions and set the tone. As soon as your kids see you walk into the gym, they are looking at you for cues (I once had a graduating senior tell me that he’d look at the color of the quarter zip I was wearing and know what type of mood I was in that day). They are reading your body language, the tone of your voice, and every other move you make. Like it or not, when you are in charge you are sending a message as soon as you walk in the room.

What type of team do you want to have? If you want them to be tough, smart, disciplined and composed - do they see that behavior in their head coach? If you want energy, excitement and intensity at practice every day, they need to see it from you. When you look at your team, like it or not, you are looking in the mirror. If they are unprepared and undisciplined, I’d take a look at the behavior they are seeing from you.

The most important thing as a coach that you can do is model the behavior you want to see from your team. You are always leading by example, and it only takes one situation where you show some inconsistency to lose their trust. If you want to see it from them, they need to see it from you.