Player and Coach

Dear Pastors

I watched the highlights of the Commonwealth Games for the last 10 days and I loved the first hour of the closing ceremony. I’ve been so impressed with our Athletes (particularly) Sophie Pascoe. I think they all are fabulous ambassadors for NZ.

It also got me thinking again about what makes for a successful athlete? We know that it starts with natural talent and we know about the non-negotiable demands for training usually starting very early in the mornings. But what about the role of the coach?

It caused me to reflect on my days as a swimming and basketball coach when I was a high school teacher. I loved it! I loved the interactions with the young athletes, cheering them on, being there for them when the going got tough or they faced the inevitable disappointments that come with sport (there can only be ONE winner). I thought of Laura Alleway (an adopted niece of ours) who is in a Matilda-the-Australian national women’s soccer team and what a difference good coaches have made on her and for her. In fact it has given me a front row seat and my goodness I am amazed at the difference good coaches make on not only the morale of a player but their performance and the performance of the team.

So then, here are a few reflections of the player-coach relationship we could apply to Christian leadership practises perhaps.

• Communication. With clear communication, coaches can lead , direct, and manage their team better. In return, the team and individual athletes can share their ideas, concerns to the benefit of everyone.
  Question: How clearly are you communicating to your staff, Elders, and ministry leaders? Remember your vision and values leak.
• Positive Reinforcement. This is about building an athlete up. It’s about support, constant encouragement and cheer leading. Coaches who help their teams to ‘visualise’ a strong outcome can increase the team’s chances of success.
  Question: How much cheer leading are you personally doing these days pastor, especially for your younger leaders?
• Genuine Belief and Interest. Everyone needs at least one significant other to believe in them. A person who says by their actions, I believe you can do this, you’ve got what it takes, I believe in you etc. That ‘player’ is going to walk tall and confident.
  Question: Have you committed yourself to a few potential leaders Pastor, are you investing in them and do they know you believe in them irrespective of their performance?
• Trust. Do the above consistently and diligently and you have a proven formula to build a trusting relationship with your players (read young leaders). And trust is the cornerstone to a long term and successful player-coach relationship. And that is exactly how ministry works best as well.

Of course, there is so much more to say on this incredibly important relationship between player (read young leader) and coach/mentor/advisor. But suffice to say in my view this is perhaps the most effective leadership development activity available to us as seasoned leaders who want to grow the next generation of leaders. Any chance you could give say 10% of your time to this? The results will amaze you.

Blessings

Alan

We start our short season of Raising Resilient Kids in Hamilton and Tauranga this week. You can still register here.

Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.