What Managers Can Learn from the Volleyball Coaches

I just recently had a liking in watching UAAP Volleyball games, Women’s Division. I was somehow hooked and intrigued on the dynamics of team play and the inspiration brought by the coaches. I was also mesmerised by the ferocity of the players and the passion of the coaches.

I was not rooting for any school, however, I felt it would be more exhilarating if I was cheering for a specific team. While I watched with awe with heart pumping excitement, I noticed the role of the coaches in inspiring and guiding the players to aim for the win.

The first time I saw Coach Air Padda of Adamson University, I witnessed how she gave succinct feedback on how the competition was playing and kept the players inspired when the game was getting tense. I was so impressed on how she managed to stay fierce and at the same time maintained finesse while handling pressure.

When FEU and Adamson were playing during the pre-finals, I was rooting for Adamson because I believed in the leadership of Coach Padda. Then I saw coach George Pascua of the Far Eastern University. His instructions seemed very detailed and direct to the point. The feedback he gave to his players were on point and his strategies were notable. He also stayed in control in times of high pressure and gave moving messages to the players to uplift their spirits.

In the middle of the game, I was very sure that both are great coaches and the win would be determined on how skilled the players are and mindful on how the opponents play.

As I watched the two (2) great coaches, an idea come into mind — write something on how they coached their team and apply it in the corporate environment. Hence my blog “What Managers can Learn from the Volleyball Coaches”.

Below are 5 critical insights which managers can adapt from the sport coaches:

LEARNING 1: Coaches observed the play of the opponent and gave feedback to the team.

During time-out, I heard coaches giving feedback to their team members on how the players in the other team were doing — their strategy, weaknesses and strengths, and the most common errors. Based on the observations made by the coach, he came up with a strategy on how to counter the game of the other team.

It was evident that the coaches not only observed his/her players but also on how the other team was playing. In the corporate set-up, this is called industry scanning, conducting an external analysis and even benchmarking. It is where managers anticipates the probable circumstances that may occur based on the external environment, make a calculated risk and prepare a best laid out plan.

To explain it further, a manager will have a hard time leading the team towards success if there is low or non-existent awareness on the current trends, issues and movements in the industry. Some managers only focus on their own operations, how their own people work or how their department is doing. Sometimes closed silos were created to the extent that external issues or concerns were ignored. Actions such as these will hamper the growth and development of the team because meaningful insights, on point feedback and instructions were not provided to the direct reports.

LEARNING 2: Coaches know the skills of each player and position them where they would create waves.

I heard from both coaches on how they will tell or remind their players on what they are good at, then, further directs them where to situate themselves during the play so that they could unleash their potential. I believe that a good coach to posses such skill requires an understanding of the person’s capabilities, profile and even temperament.

In the corporate world, this is where managers get to know the personal and professional side of their direct reports. This would only happen if there was a genuine interest to know your people better. Managers should establish authentic relationship with their direct reports to spot their talents and match it with the best fitted work where his/her people will excel even without trying. This would help managers influence his/her team members to internalise and discover their talents, create their own learning agenda and eventually soar in their chosen field.

LEARNING 3: Coaches do not single out the best player.

I heard coach Pascua mentioned “this game is not about Pons against Adamson but FEU against Adamson” (Bernadette Pons is currently the team captain of FEU Lady Tamaraws). The statement means that talents must be distributed and everyone must posses the necessary knowledge, skills and attitude. Each one has a role and a function to accomplish within the organisation in order to achieve the goal. In short — everyone delivers; everyone contributes to the success of the team.

In the corporate set-up this means no man is an island. Some will lead and others will give support. Recognition is given to those who excellently performed. However, one person cannot do it alone, moreso, leaders cannot achieve the target on their own. The success of the organisation can only be attained with collaboration and teamwork. Everyone is doing their part. Everyone is improving their craft. Everyone shares the responsibility.

LEARNING 4: Coaches remind the players that complacency has no place in the team.

When a team is leading and the opponent was able to catch up or about to catch up, coaches remind their players not to be complacent. They advise each player to be on their toes and continuously bring on their best game.

In the corporate set-up, I call this “continuous improvement”. This means managers will not allow their team members mediocrity and accept the culture of apathy. Managers must always seek for improvement or opportunities to instigate innovation, better way of doing things and learning. By so doing, the organisation can stay relevant to its customers and stakeholders.

LEARNING 5: When something went wrong, coaches immediately call for a time out to give instructions, motivate the players or simply break the bad luck.

I find this last learning very important as sometimes Managers forgets to call for a time-out. When something went wrong, managers should be able to PAUSE/STOP and give reprieve to pressures, stress, and bad feelings. This is a break to seek clarity and be able to re-align ourselves with our purpose.

The time out can be a vacation leave or a 5-minute break. It can be in any form. What really matter is that managers are mindful of the situation, of herself/himself, and of others’ mindset, emotions and condition to be able to discern when to give direction, inspiration, motivation or just pause for reflection to give a breather and a space to search for meaning and energy.

To date, FEU through the leadership of Coach Pascua got the FEU Lady Tamraws in the finals after 9 years. The road ahead is rough since their opponent has another great coach and seasoned/skilled players. Good luck to all players.