What Could You Learn from a Coach?

What could you learn from a coach?

In this article, I will share some of the vital lessons I have learnt from tennis coaches on the ATP Tour, as a mindset coach, and as an executive coach in business.

How do Executive and Tennis Coaching Relationships compare?

There are many crossovers between sports coaching and business coaching however, there are several significant and subtle differences. However, both these partnerships are built on strong relationships and trust to collaborate.

Could an executive coach help you?

A recent sales professionals’ poll confirmed that coaching significantly improves performance in sales! Why do only a small percentage of sales executives actively seek coaching compared to the sporting world where most competitors have a coach?

A close and understanding relationship between coach and professional is vital just like in the sporting arena where coaching is more sustained and consistent. Coaching is not as popular in business circles yet but there is a growing belief in coaching to increase performance, especially at executive level. These coaching partnerships are not always publicised (confidentiality) and most people who haven’t experience executive coaching don’t fully understand how it exactly works or the possible benefits.

Why would a coach need a coach?

My coach and supervisor has helped me to develop the ability to hold a reflective learning space and manage my natural solution-focused mindset to further question, allowing the coachees to:

• develop self-awareness to improve leadership and teamwork
• uncover their strengths to see different possibilities
• hear unbiased, independent, non-judgmental perspectives
• gain further and deeper insights
• pause and go beyond their habitual thinking patterns
• enhance ownership and accountability
• reframe their self-story for facilitating change

It has also enhanced my active listening skills, boosted my self-awareness and utilisation of strengths. We engage in very honest, open discussions uncovering biases and self-limiting behaviours – focusing on my values, purpose, goals, all in a pursuit to improve performance, results and well-being.

Lessons from my four tennis coaches

In tennis coaching I learned over the last 40 years (24 years as a coach) how vital the relationship between coach and player is for peak performance. All my coaches got to know me well, but one coach seldom provides everything a player needs to become the complete article in all aspects of the game.

My first coach as a junior was a brilliant disciplinarian and trainer who really improved my focus and concentration although he never watched any of my matches. I felt I lacked psychological guidance and technical input on my serve - after several years I approached a serving specialist to make some adjustments to this very important part of my game. I wasn’t the only player from our training group to seek alternative input, but we were accused of disloyalty. Instead of trusting his players, anxieties dominated his relationships.

My second coach who managed the provincial squads during the period was brilliant at building team spirit and we won several national team competitions, although he did not fully understand my main motivational drivers. Oftentimes, telling me that an opponent would easily be defeated (not managing my expectations, pressures and drivers) - I thrived under a more challenging set of circumstances.

As I entered the ATP Tour, my third coach, deeply understood me as a person and my family set up. He understood that my intense focus tailed off at the end of long matches and advised me to conserve my energy the day before a big match (only practice for an hour) but shift preparation more towards the mental side. He knew my strengths, he would say things like, “you don't have to crush those volleys, play within yourself.” He would just give simple, concise instructions to guide me toward peak performance – and was always available for a telephone conversation.

To find marginal gains, be more street smart and develop the ability to compete in tough situations, I sought advice from an experienced traveling ATP Tour coach. He helped me to read my opponents’ body language and behaviour better, to uncover and capitalise on opponents' relative weaknesses.

Much of the progress I made over the years was through a constant growth mindset, self-study, conversations, Psychology studies as part of my degree, deliberate practice and the constant support of a variety of coaches.

Tennis legends as “super coaches”

With the rise of “super coaches” in tennis it is often overlooked that players learn vital lessons at different stages of their journey. Novak Djokovic must give credit to Marian Vajda (84 of Novak’s titles were won with Marian at his side) but we often think of Boris Becker, Goran Ivanisivic or Any Murray as Djokovic’s main coaches – they joined him later in his career. Novak also significantly accredit his childhood coach, Jelena Gencic, to his success. Often the coach deserving most of the credit aren’t well renowned, lack celebrity status - might even remain anonymous (mindset and psychological coaches) because of confidentiality.

Partnerships in executive and sports coaching

For me, the close relationships in coaching were always built on mutual input, credibility, trust and loyalty. Today in sports and executive coaching, I observe and listen very carefully, trying to harness a variety of skills. I am always focused, fully client-centred, with a holistic approach - knowing that the solution is within the coachees and their uniqueness. I attempt to manage my blind spots with the realisation that as a coach it is impossible to be all things to all people.

As a coach, if you get to know what makes the player or coachee tick, manage their strengths and self-limiting behaviours, are available at critical times, demand accountability and ownership, then you will cultivate a strong relationship for a long and productive partnership.