7 Coaching Best Practices

This morning, I was on my weekly basketball coaching call with other coaches from around the country (yep - grade school girls coach!), and this week's session focused on 7 coaching best practices. While the context was about basketball practice plans and game situations, the principles are a good reminder in business:

1. Safe to Fail: This principle champions an environment where taking risks isn't just tolerated; it's encouraged. It's about creating a space where team members can experiment and learn from their failures without fear.

2. POPs - Points of Precision: POPs are the coaching equivalent of a sniper's focus—zeroing in on specific skills or behaviors that need improvement or refinement rather than a shotgun approach to development.

3. Common Language: This is about developing a shared vocabulary within your team or organization that everyone understands and uses to help streamline communication, reduce misunderstandings, and ensure everyone is on the same page.

4. Diagnosing and Prescribing: This practice involves understanding the unique challenges and needs of an individual or team before offering solutions. It requires listening, evaluating, and tailoring advice or actions to fit the situation.

5. Effective Feedback: This is the art of providing timely and specific feedback that motivates and improves performance rather than demoralizing.

6. NATO - Not Attached to Outcome: This practice teaches coaches to focus on the process and effort rather than just the results. It encourages a mindset where growth, learning, and development are paramount, even if they only sometimes lead to immediate success.

7. Ensure Learning: The goal here is to turn every experience, triumph, or setback into a learning opportunity. This practice is about embedding a culture of continuous improvement, where feedback and experiences foster personal and professional development.