Category Archives: Blog Reflections

Final Reflection: My Journey Through the Graduate Certificate in High Performance Coaching & Technical Leadership

Posted on by

Embarking on the Graduate Certificate in High Performance Coaching & Technical Leadership has been a transformative experience, far exceeding my initial expectations. When I began this program, I anticipated learning more about theoretical frameworks and technical aspects of coaching. However, the way the assignments were structured required me to apply theory in a practical context, ensuring that I not only understood the concepts but could also use them in real-world scenarios. This practical application has had a profound impact on my coaching style and, consequently, on my team’s performance.

From the outset, this program emphasized the importance of setting a Yearly Training Plan (YTP) that addresses gaps and aligns with specific objectives. The need to base my YTP on a thorough analysis of these gaps was helpful in creating a successful YTP. Finding the Winning Style of Play for my sport and level and the Gold Medal Profile have been instrumental tools in this process. They provided structured methodologies for evaluating our current performance levels, identifying areas for improvement, and setting precise, achievable goals.

A significant part of the practical application involved developing and following a Personal Improvement Plan based on the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) assessment. This assessment provided valuable insights into my strengths and areas for development as a leader. Recognizing the importance of fostering an environment of shared responsibility and open communication, I devised an action plan that focuses on empowerment and engagement, recognition and encouragement, and open communication. These strategies have not only improved team cohesion but also empowered my athletes to take ownership of their journey, leading to enhanced performance on and off the field. This plan has been integrated into our daily routines, creating an overall “better” and more motivating environment.

The journey through this program has rekindled my passion for learning and continuous improvement. Engaging with the material and interacting with mentors has been both challenging and inspiring. My mentor has played an important role in this journey. Learning from a mentor who has so much experience has been incredibly enriching. This dynamic mentorship relationship emphasized practical application, ensuring that my newfound knowledge had a meaningful impact. Our conversations and his ideas and input have guided me in translating theoretical insights into real-world applications, fostering my curiosity and ensuring that my learning journey is both fulfilling and impactful.

Although the program is designed for high-performance coaching across various sports and does not address specific topics for my specific sport, the program has directly impacted my work in volleyball and helped me improve specifically. Everything I have learned has been seamlessly integrated into my coaching practices, enhancing the way I train and lead my team.

The Graduate Certificate in High Performance Coaching & Technical Leadership has been an uplifting experience on my coaching journey. It has motivated me to do more research on various topics, to use a more scientifically based approach, and has had a significant positive impact on my team’s performance. I want to thank David, Andy, Anita, and Shaunna for their guidance and Charles (my mentor) in particular, who has been instrumental in this year’s success!

My Coaching Journey to Effective Leadership: Interacting with Gen Z

Posted on by

I wanted to take a moment to share some reflections from my coaching journey, particularly in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of leading Gen Z athletes. As coaches, we often find ourselves facing unique challenges when it comes to understanding and connecting with the young adults we mentor. Lately, I’ve been exploring the complexities of effective communication and interaction, especially in the context of coaching university-level athletes. Gen Z, with their distinct set of values and communication preferences, presents a fascinating yet often tough environment to navigate.

One thing I’ve learned is the importance of truly understanding the generation I’m working with. Gen Z brings to the table a wealth of perspectives, ideas, and aspirations, and, as their coaches, it’s essential that we meet them where they are. For me, this journey began with a deep dive into research and self-reflection. I wanted to understand not just the surface-level characteristics of Gen Z but also the underlying motivations and aspirations that drive them. Reading up on generational trends and immersing myself in literature on leadership effectiveness has been invaluable in shaping my approach.

One key takeaway has been the significance of effective communication. Gen Z values authenticity, transparency, and inclusivity, and as coaches, it’s crucial to embody these qualities in our interactions. Whether it’s fostering open dialogue during team meetings, designing activities that resonate with their interests, or simply being present and accessible, I’ve found that establishing clear lines of communication is essential in building trust and rapport.

But effective communication isn’t just about talking—it’s also about listening. It is perhaps, most importantly, about listening. Taking the time to genuinely listen to their perspectives and concerns not only strengthens my connection with them but also empowers them to take ownership of their journey.

Another aspect I’ve been exploring is the alignment of my coaching philosophy with the values and aspirations of Gen Z. This generation is known for its entrepreneurial spirit, social consciousness, and desire for meaningful impact. As a coach, I have a real opportunity to harness these qualities and channel them towards collective growth and success.

Of course, this journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Adapting my coaching approach to meet the needs of Gen Z athletes requires patience, flexibility, and a willingness to learn and evolve. But the rewards are immense—seeing my athletes thrive, both on and off the field, is the ultimate testament to these efforts.

 

The Power of Valuing in my coaching journey

Posted on by

As the new year begins, the first thing I want is to plan for a proactive year of continued growth and success. This planning takes dedication and care, and I must consider my core guiding competencies at all times.  As a volleyball coach, one of these core competencies is “valuing” which holds an important place in my journey of learning and continuous improvement. Valuing, in this context, means understanding the significance of continuous education in a dynamic sports environment. It’s about recognizing that every piece of knowledge gained contributes to the collective success of the team and of my program.

One of my key expectations for this year revolves around my commitment to keep learning and utilizing newfound knowledge to enhance both my coaching abilities and the performance of my volleyball team. As I immerse myself in various coaching methodologies, strategies, and leadership techniques, the ultimate goal is not merely to accumulate knowledge but to apply it effectively. The bridge between valuing and growth lies in the deliberate implementation of new ideas and practices. This involves translating theoretical concepts into tangible actions that shape the training programs, strategies, and overall ethos of my team. Every training session, every strategic decision, and every aspect of our year-long plan is a testament to the value placed on continuous improvement.

One of the things that I did last year was to write my Personal Improvement Plan for Leadership Effectiveness. A pivotal aspect of valuing has been reflected in my commitment to executing this plan. This plan, tailored to enhance my leadership skills, has been guiding me through the complexities of coaching and team management. Beyond the confines of the court, valuing has extended to the growth of the university volleyball program I run. It has helped me create an environment where every member, from players to support staff, feels their contributions are not just recognized but deeply valued. I have been able to see how a culture of appreciation and recognition fuels our collective ambition to elevate the program to new heights together.

As we navigate the year ahead, the interplay between valuing, learning, and growth will remain the cornerstone of my coaching philosophy. It’s a reminder that our journey is not just about victories on the scoreboard but a continuous commitment to valuing the process, the people, and the pursuit of excellence.

Unlocking Success through Critical Thinking in Year Training Plans

Posted on by

To have a good season first you must choose your goals and objectives well and then follow them with effective strategic thinking and meticulous planning. In my experience in volleyball, the success of a season is often shaped long before the first whistle blows. In this blog, I want to try to explain why I believe a coach’s critical thinking skills are the secret ingredient to a successful yearly training plan (YTP) that not only thrives but evolves dynamically with the game during the season.

When starting to plan my YTP, I set clear goals for the season. Critical thinking is the compass I use that guides the setting of goals — realistic, measurable, and tailored to the unique composition of my team. It involves analyzing past performances, scrutinizing strengths and weaknesses, thinking about the new recruits’ abilities, our away games, in our senior players, etc. and envisioning the path to success.

A YTP is a lot more than managing load, volumes, and intensity, it is more than physical conditioning, it is about finding the peak form at the right moment. By form I am referring to all the aspects that are part of performance (social, mental, style of play, etc.). It is not just about pumping iron or perfecting a volleyball technique; it is about a strategic blueprint for the team’s style of play. Critical thinking enables coaches to understand opponents’ level in the league, identify gaps, and craft a plan that is tailored for the team. It is a mental chess game that unfolds long before the first move is made on the court.

In a team sport like volleyball where you have to understand the importance of every individual involved and recognize that each athlete is a unique puzzle, critical thinking comes into play when tailoring the YTP to these individual needs. It is about understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each player, acknowledging their aspirations, and creating a plan that fosters personal growth within the collective success of the team. Considering individual needs, my YTP then has a special place for mental development as a component. Critical thinking is the architect, helping coaches understand the psychological nuances of their players. It involves implementing strategies that foster resilience, manage stress, and cultivate a winning mindset that will withstand the pressures of competition.

It should not be forgotten that one of the most important parts of the YTP is a delicate balance between pushing boundaries and preventing burnout. For example, critical thinking guides coaches in assessing the risk of injuries associated with specific training regimens. It is about crafting a physical conditioning plan that optimizes performance while safeguarding the well-being of the athletes. During the season, adaptability is key. Critical thinking empowers coaches to read the signs — be it player fatigue, unexpected challenges — and adjust the YTP accordingly. It is the flexibility to tweak the game plan without losing sight of the end goal. It’s an ongoing process of evaluation, learning from setbacks, and refining the YTP. By interpreting both the quantitative and qualitative data, the playbook should be a living document, evolving with the team’s dynamics and aspirations.

The success of a great season depends on a well-organized and planned YTP!

 

Personal Improvement Plan – Leadership Effectiveness: Assessment, Growth, and Action plan

Posted on by

 “Those who are the best at leading are also the best at learning. Exemplary leaders don’t rest on their laurels or rely on their natural talents; instead, they continually do more to improve themselves. So, if you want to be the best you can be, you need to become a great learner.” (Kouzes & Posner, 2013, p. 1)

In the field of leadership, growth is an ongoing process marked by assessments, reflections, and a commitment to improvement. As I continue this high-performance leadership program, I commit to keep improving my leadership competencies for a transformative journey. For the purpose of this program, I have conducted a Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) assessment to better understand my strengths and areas for development and I was assessed by my athletes (10 players) and two of my managers. In this blog post I want to reflect on the LPI assessment results, based on the National Coach Certification Program (NCCP) core competency of Leading, and comment and give outlines of my personal improvement action plan for enhancing my leadership skills.

LPI Assessment: Strengths and Opportunities:

The competency of leading is paramount for a coach as it lays the foundation for team cohesion and success. Effective leadership in coaching entails modeling the way by exemplifying desired behaviors and attitudes which sets the standard for the team to follow. It also involves inspiring a clear and compelling vision that aligns team members toward common goals, fostering a sense of purpose and motivation. Through leading, a coach cultivates an environment of trust, accountability, and open communication, essential for nurturing athlete development and achieving collective excellence.

The LPI assessment revealed both strengths and opportunities for growth in my leadership approach. My top strengths lie in inspiring and challenging my team. Setting goals collaboratively with the team has become a cornerstone of my leadership style, fostering a sense of shared purpose. Looking forward and maintaining a positive outlook on future performance is another strength, although I realize that a more balanced focus on acknowledging successes is needed to boost team morale.

On the flip side, I recognize areas for improvement, notably in the domains of encouraging and enabling. I tend to shoulder the responsibility of decision-making, which may unintentionally undermine the team’s sense of ownership. Moreover, I have identified a need to improve communication regarding individual contributions, as well as finding ways for celebrating team successes. These insights are pivotal in shaping my leadership journey.

The NCCP core competency, Leading, aligns seamlessly with my leadership philosophy. Authentic leadership, as exemplified by Leading, entails fostering genuine connections with team members, guiding them through mentorship, and subsequently leading towards collective success. Effective communication, characterized by transparent conversations and active listening, underpins successful leadership.

A significant aspect of Leading is realizing that leadership is not merely about making decisions but creating an environment where decisions are shared, encouraging empowerment and accountability within the team. This realization has prompted me to reconsider my approach, paving the way for more inclusive decision-making processes.

Interacting with my Mentor: Mentorship has been an incredibly enriching experience for me. Not only am I acquiring a wealth of knowledge and skills from my mentor, but I am also learning the art of guiding and leading others. My mentor serves as a renowned example of a leader who listens attentively, motivates me to excel, and empowers me to become more self-sufficient. This dynamic mentorship relationship is a two-way street where I absorb valuable insights and, in turn, get to witness the art of nurturing potential.

What sets this mentorship apart is its emphasis on practical application. It is not just about theoretical knowledge; it is about taking what I have learned and applying it immediately. My mentor instills a desire to explore, discover, and innovate, but more importantly, they guide me in translating these discoveries into real-world applications. This hands-on approach not only fuels my curiosity but also ensures that my newfound knowledge has a meaningful impact, making the learning journey both fulfilling and impactful. Mentorship, in this context, is not just about personal growth but also about becoming a leader who can inspire and guide others toward their own achievements.

Crafting an Action Plan: With insights gleaned from the LPI assessment and reflections on Leading, I have devised an action plan to amplify my leadership impact, that I have already added to my YTP:

  1. Empowerment and Engagement:
  • Focus on enabling team members to play a more active role in decision-making.
  • Encourage their contributions, valuing diverse perspectives.
  • Foster an environment where shared responsibility is nurtured.
  1. Recognition and Encouragement:
  • Regularly acknowledge individual and collective achievements.
  • Celebrate successes using a variety of platforms, from team meetings to informal gatherings.
  • Promote a culture of positivity and affirmation.
  1. Open Communication:
  • Establish open channels of communication for transparent dialogue.
  • Embrace feedback and create opportunities for constructive discussions.
  • Address concerns promptly, fostering a sense of trust.

 

References

Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2013). LPI: Leadership practices inventory workbook (4th ed.). Pfeiffer.

Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2017). The leadership challenge (6th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.

Transforming a team: Collaborative Problem Solving in Coaching and Leadership

Posted on by

As a volleyball coach, I am aware that the ability to problem-solve is an essential component of the skill set necessary to overcome challenges and guide a team towards success. In my first week at the HPCTL program in the class of Coaching Effectiveness however, while talking to the instructor, I realized that problem solving is not just about finding solutions, it is also about cultivating an environment that includes and encourages creativity, innovation, and adaptability. I thought back to my previous season and saw that by embracing these qualities and applying them to my coaching and leadership style, our team had been empowered to achieving their fullest potential. I have written this blog entry to share the experience from my university coaching 2022-23 journey with you, when I employed problem-solving to plan and execute a comprehensive strategy to transform our team.

Identifying the Challenge:

Picture this: I walked into the university gymnasium, ready to embark on a coaching adventure, only to discover that the program was struggling, the team had faced a couple of disappointing years with few successes, and I had no time or opportunity to recruit new players. The players who were present were demoralized and lacked the confidence to excel on the court. It was a complex problem with many aspects to consider and I needed to plan and prioritize. I knew I had to put on my problem-solving cap and think outside the box to help this team achieve success. I also knew that this challenge demanded a proactive problem-solving approach to identify the underlying issues and develop a comprehensive plan for improvement. I was determined to turn things around and problem-solving became the key to our success.

Thinking Outside the Box, Together:

My first step was to break the ice and foster open communication with the players. I wanted to understand their perspective and get their insights on what had gone wrong and what needed to go right. I also wanted their input on what they believed were the team’s weaknesses and areas requiring improvement. By encouraging them to share their thoughts, I gained valuable information. This collaborative approach allowed me to develop a more holistic understanding of the team’s dynamics. It was like piecing together a puzzle, and their input became the pieces I needed to start construction.

Implementing New Solutions:

Armed with a deeper understanding of the team’s challenges and a fresh perspective, I knew it was time to shake things up. I focused on implementing new solutions. I introduced innovative training techniques from my coaching toolbox, and modified the team’s philosophy to foster a more cohesive and resilient unit. By incorporating elements from different coaching methodologies and drawing inspiration from successful volleyball teams, I encouraged my players to adopt new strategies and techniques that would enhance their overall performance. It was all about injecting new energy into the team and breaking free from the confines of conventional approaches. The players were skeptical at first, but they felt involved and so were willing to try something new. This fueled our journey towards transformation.

Developing a Comprehensive Plan:

To ensure a systematic approach, creating a comprehensive plan was my next priority. I considered every aspect, from team philosophy to game systems to player mentality. The plan provided a roadmap for achieving our objectives while considering the unique strengths and weaknesses of the existing team. I sold the plan to the players, I let them choose their path and ask them to pick their goal ensuring the motivation was both intrinsic and shared.  They all agreed, they wanted “to have a pro experience and a season to remember.” The key to this plan’s success was emphasizing the importance of unity, individual growth, and collective effort, it was not about the outcome but about the effort, the experience, the hope. We were all in this together, and this plan became the guiding light on our journey.

Flexibility and Adaptability:

Life rarely follows a straight path, and the same goes for coaching a team. As we progressed, I realized the importance of flexibility and adaptability in problem-solving. I closely monitored the team’s performance and assessed the effectiveness of the strategies employed. When necessary, I adjusted the plan, considering player feedback, individual skill development, and evolving circumstances. This flexibility allowed us to respond proactively to challenges and make timely course corrections.

Results and Conclusion:

Our journey of transformation had begun, and as the season progressed, step by step, game by game, we witnessed the team’s remarkable progress. The players embraced the new strategies, techniques, and mental approach we introduced. They started playing with renewed vigor, displaying a resilience that took everyone by surprise. By leveraging problem-solving techniques together, we had unlocked the team’s true potential.

Despite the initial setbacks and limited resources, the team achieved a significant improvement in their overall performance. By incorporating fresh perspectives, implementing new strategies, and adapting our approach, we overcame the challenges we faced. The experience reinforced the importance of collaborative problem-solving skills in coaching and leadership roles, demonstrating how thinking outside the box and maintaining flexibility together can lead to tangible results.

This experience taught me that it is more than just finding solutions; it’s about empowering your team, encouraging creativity, and fostering a culture of adaptability. As coaches we have to remember to think outside the box, implement new solutions, and be flexible enough to adapt our plans. With problem-solving as an ally, the transformations that can be achieved are limitless.

Keep digging deep, stay open to new ideas, and let your passion for the sport guide you. Together, let’s continue to make a positive impact in the world of volleyball coaching and leadership!

*And if you’re wondering how this season ended: the team made it to the playoffs for their first time ever. We lost that final match unfortunately (injury struck), however, we fought hard until the end. We lost the last set 31-29, and after 5 minutes of sadness, the players started to hug each other and smile. The fans did not expect it after coming so close, but our team was celebrating, we had achieved our goal of doing our best and improving, it had been “a season to remember.”