Many attribute the ultimate success of a sports team to the leadership of the head coach. These individuals bear the burden of losses and reap the rewards of wins. To be a successful coach there are a number of variables that play to the efficient communication of goals and motivational correspondence of vision. A coach must be an organized leader to keep the team, players and assistant coaches motivated and focused on the same goal. And the first commitment is being the expert who everyone looks to for decisions. (Hoefs, 2015) What can be identified as a successful coaching style can be attributed to a type of leadership that focuses on the skills needed to lead a team of players. This knowledge includes an in-depth understanding of the skills, tactics and strategies required for effective training, practices and game-day decisions. Most sports evolve over time, making it essential for coaches to learn new information as the competition, training techniques and rules change. (Hoefs. 2015)
What can be identified are a set of technical, human and conceptual skills that coaches utilize in effective leadership. The technical skills include knowledge and ability to use the tools and processes of the organization. (Penn State, 2015) Such as knowledge of the game, including tactical strategy. Human skills refer to interpersonal communication between the coach and players. This is a type of supportive leadership where the coach is able to communicate and transfer knowledge to the players as a form of guidance. (Penn State, 2015) The ability to effectively communicate thoughts to a player or assistant coach allows the leader to motivate and create a positive atmosphere at practice and games. Motivating and inspiring through words and actions, increase the likelihood for success. (Hoefs, 2015) The conceptual skills needed refer to the ability to translate a vision and can be attributed to the methods of play creation and explanation of routes and tactics. (Penn State, 2015)
What the Skills Approach attributes to the leadership style of a successful coach is the ability to learn and evolve skills over time. Coaches do this through career experience, which has the potential to create a timeline of winning seasons for any coach. Such learning includes, competencies that apply to game day situations, or dealing with players on a personal level. (Penn State, 2015) The ability to apply problem-solving skills, social judgment skills, and knowledge of coaching are important factors for success. (Nothouse, 2013) And if we apply this information in terms as crystallized cognitive ability then it can be assumed that with knowledge of the system of coaching comes the experience of a successful season.
The Skills Approach assesses leadership from a skill perspective, and places the ideas upon the structure of effective leadership. (Northouse, 2013) This allows the ideals of an effective coach to be tangible and able to evolve and grow along with the sport and players on the team. While there are personal attributes to effective leaders, and surely they can be applied to coaching. The applied skills and leadership abilities of a coach are what ultimately create a winning combination to the approach of a successful coach and team leader.
Works Cited
Hoefs, Jeremy.(2015). Characteristics & Qualities of a Sports Coach. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/438821-characteristics-qualities-of-a-sports-coach/
Northouse, P.G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
Penn State University Course Creator.(2015). Lesson 4: Skills Approach. Retrieved from https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/fa15/psych485/001/content/04_lesson/01_page.html