Unlocking Potential Through Coaching
By Charis Musick
In a time when it feels like everyone is becoming a “coach,” it’s important to clarify what we mean when we use that word.
“Coaching is a transformative journey where you discover your true potential. What is coaching all about? Imagine driving on a road you’ve never traveled before. You’re in the driver’s seat, in control of the destination, but beside you is a trusted navigator — your coach — helping you see new possibilities, find alternate routes, and ensure you don’t lose focus. This partnership empowers you to unlock answers you already have within, while also challenging you to go further than you imagined.” — International Coaching Federation
While I coach leaders today, some of my earliest lessons about coaching happened long before the workplace—on a soccer field.
I remember being a kid on the soccer field playing left fullback. It was a defense position, defending our team’s goal. So by the time we were fully engaged—the left and right fullbacks—the heat was on. We’d been watching the game from just outside the penalty box. I’d like to say we had our heads in the game the whole time, eyes on the ball at all times. However, by “kid” I mean 10-years-old. Our attention span heightened when either a parent or a coach yelled “Defense! Drop back! Let’s go!” while clapping against his clipboard. That was gameday.
Long before game day, there were practices and scrimmages. During practice, Coach’s job was to get us ready for the game, to succeed. More times than not game day preparation looked like running, drills, and scrimmages.
While coaching youth sports and coaching adults in various roles in life and business are quite different, here are 3 key things that great coaches do:
Coaches expand capacity
Each one of my coaches pushed me further than I thought I could go. They helped expand my capacity beyond the limitations I placed on myself.Coaches position according to strengths
My coaches also saw what I couldn’t yet see about myself. I wasn’t the quickest with the ball, but I had a powerful kick. So they positioned me where my strengths could serve the team best.Coaches help redefine success
While my coaches loved to win, success wasn’t only defined by the scoreboard. Success looked like executing the plays we practiced, giving our full effort, and learning how to function as a team.
Leaving the field and going inside the office, our needs as adults in various roles really aren’t that different than children on a soccer field or basketball court or whatever group extracurricular activity we grew up in.
We all need someone to believe in us more than we believe in ourselves.
We all need someone who can call out both our strengths and our blind spots.
We all need someone who helps us stay focused in a world full of noise and distractions.
That’s the role of a coach.
As leaders, we have the opportunity to play that role for the people on our teams — helping them see potential they may not yet see in themselves and helping them go further than they would go or could go on their own, guiding them toward becoming the best version of who they can be.
