Hey Coach, What Now?

Much of what I know about managing the ebb and flow of life I have learned managing youth baseball. For more than a decade, I served my teams, parents and community as facilitator, communicator, confidant, teacher, spiritual adviser, strategist, motivator, disciplinarian, comedian and a lot more, all between the left- and right-field chalk lines of a little league baseball field. Nothing I’ve faced in the pressure cooker, high stakes confines of a boardroom compares to the expectant, sometimes cynical, always vulnerable eyes of a 10-year-old.

My son Dane, left, and pal Michael,
exemplifying the best of youth sports.

What came as a real turning point for me – and catapulted what I was learning on the field to the rest of my life – was a kickoff speech by a legendary college coach at one of the dozens of clinics we attended each spring in preparation for the upcoming season. Coach’s presentation had nothing to do with hitting stance or throwing mechanics. Instead, his talk boiled down to one word: respect.

He then told stories of great games and players he’d coached in the past (some of them big leaguers), and that everyone knew when his team walked onto the field, they had to bring their “A” game. We were conveniently huddled near the school trophy case so he could dramatically gesture toward past team photos or banners emblazoned with the distinctive team logo. “Those guys were winners, gentlemen,” he said, “and you can be a winner too.”

He then lowered his voice to a whisper and told us he was about to share the greatest secret of his team’s success. Well, by this time most of the kids (and the coaches I might add) would have followed Coach into a lion’s den. “Respect,” he said, “our secret is R-E-S-P-E-C-T.” Looks of confusion started to spread through the group, and one of the more outspoken players said, “But, ah, coach, you already talked about respect.”
“You are right, I did didn’t I. You are a sharp kid,” he chuckled. “And now I’m going to tell you why respect will make you better players … maybe even the best … a better team, better friends off the field, and someday, better young men.” He proceeded as follows:

When you respect yourself, you come to practice well rested, alert and ready to give it your all for two hours. You respect your coaches and your teammates by being on time and listening when they talk about different drills and plays. This will make you a better player because you will learn and continually improve the skills that will separate you from the competition. 


Because your coaches respect you, they’ll be prepared when they come to practice so you get the most for giving them your time. They will listen to you when you have ideas about how to improve a drill or a play, because despite what you might think, coaches (and adults in general) don’t have all the answers! When you feel another player is not respecting you, you should share this with your coaches so they can help both of you enjoy playing for the team. And you should always have some fun while you’re at it too!


Respect for the other teams, coaches and umpires mean that winning isn’t everything, but playing hard, fairly and for the future is. That might mean your coaches will make a move late in a game that might cost the team a run or even the game, but they think it will put everyone in a better position to succeed as a team in the future. It also means that every time you put on your team jersey, others will know what to expect: a tough game played by smart players who always demonstrate the highest level of sportsmanship.

Everything you need to know to lead a family, baseball team, a company or a nation is summed up in this simple, but powerful philosophy. Want a sure-fire formula that creates legacy? Heed Coach’s advice.