1. Do what you love
This one sounds easy but it's not. Many new coaches profess "I love coaching" until they get into long enough to know the number one aspect of this job is to solve problems. You can't hide from them or sweep them under the carpet. In fact, according to Job's formula, you must love to solve problems. There is so much more to coaching than just heading to the practice floor and putting on the suit for the big game. Will you truly love ALL the aspects that go into coaching? If you want to be successful and stay in it you will.
2. Put a dent in the universe
The best way to put a dent in the universe is by molding the student-athletes you come in touch with. This goes far beyond teaching them a jump shot or how to post up. I absolutely love and work to implement Lou Holt'z mantra that he used while coaching -- "I'm don't coach you for four years, I'll coach you for forty." If you care enough to get involved with young people -- and that means helping them through some difficult obstacles -- you can make a special dent in the universe.
3. Say no to 1,000 things
Certainly this is a difficult thing to do in coaching. We hate to say no to things that can in someway effect our program -- promote our sport. But at the same time, they key concept here is to maintain focus and concentration. As Stephen Covey said, "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing."
4. Kick start your brain
What are you doing to be a continual learner? Do you meet with others in your profession to grow your knowledge? Do you meet with those outside your profession -- to learn outside the box? Do you read? Do you watch DVD's -- listen to self-help CD's? Not only is the quest to learn a great way to increase what you know but it is a wonderful method for keeping you energized.
5. Sell dreams, not products
To me, this means being process oriented as opposed to result oriented. I love the mantra here in the athletic department at Texas A&M. We don't say "Winning Championships" -- we say "Building Champions." Winning a championship is a destination. Building champions is an everyday objective. And it leads into all areas of life. Be a picture painted with your team or organization.
6. Create insanely great experiences
The great teams I have been associated with have grown not just through playing basketball but in all the other experiences that come about from a well-organized program. As a coach, as a staff, if you pour your heart and soul into ALL phases of your program it becomes the most amazing experience and young woman or man can have at that age. But make no mistake -- there's a lot of work involved.
7. Master the message
This is about communication. If I could again go back to a Covey thought, "Communicate is life's most important skill." You ability to properly communicate and present the parts of your program and your philosophy makes a tremendous difference in how it will be received by those you are looking to lead. First and foremost, do you believe in the message. Than are you knowledgeable about the message. Finally, can you enthusiastically involve your team in the message.
