Should Coaches show vulnerability? #CLChat

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SHOULD COACHES SHOW VULNERABILITY #CLChat
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Last week, our Live Twitter chat triggered a flurry of insightful comments and lively discussion from top coaches on whether coaches should show vulnerability to their players. In general, it was considered good to show a human side with some level of vulnerability (e.g. admitting if you make a mistake) but not when it goes too far (e.g. telling your team you’re really nervous just before a big match.)
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If you look at the more traditional, ‘old school’ style of coaching where the coach’s word was final and two-way discussion was kept to a minimum, showing vulnerability was considered a weakness. As coaching techniques and sports psychology has developed, the perception of vulnerability has evolved, no longer being automatically associated with a ‘soft touch’ but opening up the possibility that showing a human side could foster a more open and conducive learning environment for players.
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During the chat, positive outcomes for showing vulnerability were directly related to this ‘human side’ theory. Coaches explained how it’s good to show you’re human to make you more relatable. It was also important to be honest and admit when a mistake is made, as they’re “crucial in development”. After all, “it’s not the mistake that’s important; it’s the reaction to it” that matters. Also, if you make a mistake and gloss over it, players might lose faith in your judgement and then less likely to trust your decisions in the future.
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As the discussion continued some coaches felt being too emotional may have negative consequences, such as admitting you are nervous before a big match with one coach commenting that it’s “hardly motivational”. Other negative consequences of vulnerable behaviour, including opening yourself up to players taking advantage of you and not being considered an “authoritative viewpoint”.
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To round off the chat, the group concluded that putting hopes and ambitions on show in an honest and open environment so ‘WE decide on the outcomes then WE share in success and failure’ was a great approach.
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Thanks to all that took part in our inaugural Twitter #CLChat, we hope you can join us again for our next discussion. This will take place on Wednesday 13th July at 21:00. The question being discussed is “Should Coaches do their own Analysis?”. Join us on Twitter by using #CLChat.
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