This week there’s been a particular type of coach in the media more than any other week I can recall – that’s a “strength and conditioning” coach. This type of coach is in the news because last week the New York Jets strength and conditioning coach actually stuck his knee out and tripped an opponent’s player. See accompanying picture. He’s been suspended for the rest of the year.
But I’m not going to write any thoughts on that. That’s pretty bad.
But I’ve been thinking about the role of a strength & conditioning coach. I like it. Position coaches do all the X’s and O’s and help players figure out their craft and their skills. But a strength and conditioning coach has as his or her primary role the building of players physical capacity – getting stronger, getting faster, getting more agile so that the X’s and O’s can be executed. Without that capacity – the skills are useless or at least far less consistent.
I’ve written many times about how an over focus on skills in leadership development and in leadership in general leads to a lot of short-term results and minimal depth and long-term fruit. I’ve joked about how the leadership group I’m doing is focused on “non-skill leadership development” because I’m convinced that leadership over time produces fruit in keeping with who we are as people and our capacity for relationships, love, stewardship & servanthood.
Many leaders who aspire to develop others might do well to consider the role of a strength and conditioning coach on an athletic team. As leaders we may not have it within us to be a great strength and conditioning coach (capacity builder) for our people. But maybe there are those you work with or those on your team that can make a great contribution to you and your team that way. There are opportunities and experiences that can build the maturity and the identity and presence of a leader.
The things that jump out about how a strength coach does his job are intentionality, discipline, plans, and accountability among others. There’s a lot to draw from. Just don’t go so far and start sabotaging your competition!
So don’t just settle for the skills! Think long-term and think capacity building!
BTW – Have you noticed how strength and conditioning coaches just seem crazy or a little off? Maybe there’s something to that with people who are passionate about capacity building.
