Is a coach a leader? Northouse defines leadership as a person who influences a collective of people to accomplish one goal. (Northouse, 2016). Leaders are also more effective when they have a good understanding of who they are(PSU WC. L.3 P.2). Although, a leader can come in many forms. They can be assigned their position or they could have worked their way up the chain to become one. A leader could be a leader through having desired traits or they could have figured these things out through the process. (Northouse, 2016). What about a coach? Can a coach also be a leader? A coach is defined as a person who instructs, prompts or directs someone. (Merriam-Webster, 2020). Let’s discuss how a coach can be a leader.
In looking at a scenario where a soccer coach is encouraging others to run to the goal. This coach didn’t get there by just showing up. (Well actually he did, but he had to be hired first!). This person had to go through a process himself to help direct these children to play the game. He had to have experience, understanding, and knowledge of how to play the game. Characteristics of a great coach are awareness, problem solving abilities, and motivational skills.
What characteristics can a leader have? They can be motivational, aware, and have problem solving skills as well. (Northouse, 2016). A leader should have determination, sociability, emotional intelligence, integrity, and confidence. (Northouse, 2016).Are these desirable traits of a coach as well? A coach should definitely be determined and sociable. A coach should have confidence, and integrity as well.
Can someone have all of these traits and still not be considered a leader? There is a huge possibility that a person could be falsifying some of these things because they have what could be called one of the six dark-personality traits. These are known as argumentative, insensitive, narcissistic, fear of failure, perfectionism, impulsivity(Northouse, 2016). A good example of this is the Mighty Ducks movie, when the other team coach lost in the championships due to his insensitivity. He failed to lead his team because of this dark personality trait.
So with all of these traits being visible in a person, can a coach be described as a leader relevantly? Northouse says with all of these six traits, they make up the “ right stuff” to be perceived as a leader in today’s society. Not all coaches are leaders, and not all leaders are coaches. Focus on their traits and try to match them to see what outcomes you will get!
Northouse, P. G. (2016) Leadership: Theory and Practice p. 1-27
bgw5114 says
The only way to really answer the question of Is a coach a leader? is to analyze their leadership traits. It’s been years but I have had coaches that looking back at the situations really were not leaders. Northouse defined leadership as process, involves influence and occurs in groups (Northouse, 2016) Although a coach has followers, should be able to influence and affects the followers, it would be up to the individual to act as a leader. I have had experiences where the coach was so focused on how to win, they forgot that there were others involved. When the dark side of personality takes over it is difficult for followers to continue to believe in the leader and the groups goals. The dark side personality traits are counter productive and interfere with a leader’s ability to form cohesive teams. (PSU WC, L. 2. p.5) Especially coaches dealing with younger children I feel should interviewed and go through a screening process. Although now a days they might, but when I was playing sports a kid it seemed like anyone who volunteered to coach was allowed. I was probably in 6th grade and the softball coach was so determined to win he was letting older kids play on the younger teams. Impulsivity is a dark side trait that the leader enjoys testing limits and doesn’t consider the consequences of their actions. (PSU WC, L.2, p.5) Not only was this a poor leadership decision it was a poor ethical decision. I did like your analogy of the Mighty Ducks movie, how they lost due to the coach’s insensitivity.
I know there are coaches that are good leaders and can positively influence others, so yes coaches can be leaders. Just because someone is in a leader position doesn’t mean they are leaders; they need to demonstrate leadership to really be a leader.
References:
Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and Practice. 7th Edition. Los Angeles: Sage Publication.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus (2016). PSYCH 485 Lesson 2: Trait Approach. Retrieved from. https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/canvas/fa20/22081–15503/content/03_lesson/printlesson.html