The ten qualities of great coaches - and surprise! You already know them
Stop searching for the secret sauce of coaching excellence. You've had the recipe all along.
By Wayne Goldsmith
Three Key Concepts:
The qualities that make great coaches aren't found in textbooks or certification courses - they're human qualities you already possess
Coaching mastery isn't about learning new techniques; it's about unleashing the authentic leader within you
The difference between good and great coaches isn't knowledge - it's the courage to be genuinely human
Image by Keith Johnston from Pixabay
I remember sitting in a hotel lobby in Beijing after the 2008 Olympics, talking with one of Australia's most successful coaches. "Wayne," he said, "after thirty years of coaching, I've realized something. The best coaches I know aren't the smartest or the most technical. They're the ones who genuinely give a damn about their athletes as people."
That conversation changed how I viewed coaching forever. Because here's the truth nobody wants to tell you: every coaching course, every certification program, every "revolutionary" methodology is built on ten fundamental human qualities that you already know. Connection. Engagement. Inspiration. Caring. Authenticity. A burning desire to help others realize their potential. Integrity. Passion. Creativity. And yes - love.
The tragedy isn't that coaches lack these qualities. The tragedy is that we've been convinced we need something more. We chase the latest training methods, the newest technology, the most sophisticated analytics. Meanwhile, the athletes standing in front of us are crying out for something much simpler: a coach who sees them, believes in them, and has the courage to challenge them to become their best selves.
I've worked with Olympic champions and weekend warriors, professional athletes and junior beginners. The coaches who transform lives aren't the ones with the most impressive résumés or the fanciest equipment. They're the ones who show up every day with an open heart, ready to serve something bigger than themselves. They're the ones who remember that before someone is an athlete, they're a human being deserving of respect, understanding, and genuine care.
Stop looking outside yourself for coaching wisdom. Start looking within. The ten qualities of great coaches aren't secrets to be discovered - they're gifts to be unwrapped. You already have everything you need to be extraordinary. The question isn't whether you know enough. The question is whether you have the courage to be enough.
Summary: Great coaching isn't about what you know - it's about who you are, and you already possess every human quality needed for coaching excellence.
Three Practical Exercises:
The Mirror Exercise: Each morning, ask yourself: "What human quality will I lead with today?" Choose one of the ten qualities (connection, engagement, inspiration, caring, authenticity, potential-unlocking, integrity, passion, creativity, love) and consciously practice it.
The Story Audit: Write down three moments when you felt most fulfilled as a coach. Identify which of the ten qualities you were expressing in those moments. These are your coaching superpowers.
The Simplicity Challenge: For one week, coach using only the ten human qualities - no fancy drills, no complex systems. Focus purely on connecting, caring, and inspiring. Notice what happens.
Copyright Wayne Goldsmith. All Rights Reserved.
Check out Wayne's latest book - THE TALENT MYTH - WHY TALENT ISN'T WORTH SHIT - available now on paperback https://www.amazon.com/Talent-Myth-Isnt-Worth-Shit/dp/0987155717?ref_=ast_author_dp