I’ve seen videos and podcasts of UFC (MMA) coach Trevor Wittman, the coach of some really great fighters.
He sais some things that resonate deeply with me and one of the things is this.
“I don’t demand things from my athletes. I never tell them what to do. I just advise them.”
Trevor tells the athlete what he expects and advices what to do. But the athlete ultimately has to own the decisions and behaviour themselves.
I more and more learn that being a great coach and leader is about knowing the other person and yourself. And knowing how you can influence both to, in the end, perform to your maximum potential.