I have to admit, when my 13-year-old son, Mason, asked me to coach his basketball team, I was a little hesitant. I hadn’t played basketball since a few intramural games in college, and even as a varsity player in high school, I was never an All-Star. I had certainly never coached (besides yelling as a parent from the sideline of course). Plus, I would be one of the few women coaching in this league. Then, I realized that my son won’t always ask me to be so involved, and as long as he asks, I will always say yes.
As I started to think through it, I realized coaching a basketball team is more similar to my work in strategic communications than I thought. There are powerful parallels between coaching a group of young people and fostering communication within my team and with my clients.
1. Building Trust and Relationships
In both sports and business, trust is the baseline to drive success. When I started coaching, the boys didn’t really trust me. I was one of only a couple of female coaches, and the boys were a little wary. One of them called me "Miss Coach" the first day, and I had to tell them "Coach" or "Coach Katie" would be just fine. I had to quickly show them that I knew what I was talking about, had done my research, and was organized at practice.
This reminded me so much of starting a project with a new client. I have to do quick and thorough research about the company, learn as much about the business as I can, and come to the table with ideas and strategies that let my clients know that I’m invested in their results.
From a team perspective, just as a coach needs to connect with players to understand their strengths and weaknesses, effective leaders take the time to build relationships with their teams, recognize their potential, and provide the support necessary for growth.
If trust isn’t established, either on the court or in the office, collaboration will falter and outcomes will be compromised.
2. Clear and Direct Communication
When you're coaching a young basketball team, clarity is key. At this stage, players are still learning the basics of the game—terms, strategy, and positioning. As a coach, if you can't convey the message clearly, confusion reigns. This is true in any form of leadership. Clear, concise communication is the cornerstone of any effective team.
Whether it’s explaining a play or outlining a project, being able to break down complex ideas into actionable steps is crucial. When advising clients, this translates to ensuring that all team members are on the same page, whether in a meeting, an email, or a strategic plan.
3. Encouraging Teamwork and Collaboration
On the court, every player has a specific role, but success only happens when they work together. A player who doesn't pass, doesn't communicate on defense, or doesn't share the ball is limiting the potential of the entire team. Every youth player wants to be Steph Curry and constantly shoots 3-pointers. I have to force them (with extra sprints at practice if needed) to also look for open players closer to the basket who may have better percentage shots to take.
Similarly, in any workplace, success depends on collaboration. Team members must be able to communicate openly, share ideas, and work together to meet shared goals.
4. Adapting to Individual Needs, Expectations and Skills
Each player on a basketball team is unique, with their own learning pace, strengths, and areas for growth. As a coach, I've had to find ways to reach each player in different ways, whether that's with a new drill, extra sprints to get them to focus, or pulling them aside for a 1:1 pep talk. I also have to leverage their strengths as a player to balance out the team – not necessarily starting all of the strongest players, but instead balancing a strong player with one who isn't as strong so that the whole team can be more successful.
When you lead a team in the workplace, you also need to have team members with different strengths and talents. For example, I’ll bring in a colleague who is better at project management and has strong attention to detail when I have a project leader who is stronger at big-picture strategy and creative solutions. These different skills allow for better results for our team and encourage a more positive work environment.
Recognizing these differences and adjusting your approach can make a world of difference in ensuring success on and off the court.
5. Handling Mistakes and Learning from Them
Mistakes are inevitable—whether it's a missed shot on the court or a misstep in a presentation. As a coach, I remind my players that mistakes aren't failures; they're opportunities to learn and grow. 13-year-old boys love to wallow when they take a misstep, so I have to constantly remind them to keep their heads in the game.
We all make mistakes - players and companies alike - but it’s how we learn from them and respond to them that people will judge. That’s why it’s essential to have a proper issues management strategy in place, so you can try to prepare for any missteps and get on the same page. Effective communication will leave a lasting impression and can help you prevent mistakes in the future as well.
6. Celebrating Successes, Big and Small
Finally, one of the most important aspects of coaching young athletes is celebrating every victory, no matter how small. Whether it's a solid pass, a strong defensive move, or just improvement in practice, acknowledging these successes fosters confidence and morale.
When I counsel clients, I like to remind them that celebrating milestones, whether big or small, motivates the team and reinforces the power of communication and collaboration.
Conclusion
Whether you're coaching a basketball team or collaborating in the workplace, the lessons are strikingly similar. Effective communication is not just about sending messages—it's about listening first, building trust, creating an open environment, and adapting to the needs of the team. By drawing from the core principles of coaching—trust, clarity, teamwork, and growth—you can enhance communication and lead a more cohesive and successful team.
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