Gary’s Coaching Thought for the Week

“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” ― Simon Sinek

This quote is a fantastic reminder of “why” we coach.

The essence of coaching isn’t found in giving orders, it’s found in earning trust. Players seldom respond when creating fear or hyping up the pressure. They respond to coaches who believe in them and back them. They respond to someone who knows their story, notices their growth and has their back, even when the scoreboard doesn’t.

I recently worked with a talented young player who struggled with self-doubt. Rather than focusing solely on batting drills, we spent time unpacking what success looked like for him, not just in cricket, but in life.

As coaches, we’re in the business of developing people. Yes, we want wins. But the real legacy is who your players become because they were coached by you.

So, we as coaches should take a moment to ask: “Do my players feel seen?” It’s amazing what can happen when people know their coach values them beyond the stats.