Three big mistakes I made in my career (and how you can avoid them)

I wish I could hit the reset button on a few things I did when I first became a head coach. Here are three mistakes I made.

Mistake #1: I made assumptions.  Denison was 30-45 the two years prior to our arrival.  There was major instability in the leadership; I was the fourth head coach in eight years.  The program was struggling academically, athletically and socially.  So what did I do? I made assumptions.  The kids are soft.  They are ENTITLED.  They don’t care about playing winning baseball.  With these preconceived notions, I arrived with a sense of anger before I even met the players.

Correction #1: Instead of making assumptions I should have invested in connecting with the players.  I should have listened more and demanded less.  After I finally decided to get to know the guys I learned many of my thoughts about them were COMPLETELY wrong.  They were jaded.  They were hurt.  They wanted to be led.  You see the problem?  My approach was from a negative space; instead, I should have analyzed from a neutral position.

Real Life Application:  This week avoid making assumptions.  You know that person in your office that doesn’t talk much?  Have you labeled him a jerk?  Maybe she really isn’t a jerk; maybe she is just shy.  Get to know them.  Connect in some way.  Show them you care.  You know that person who hasn’t returned your call?  Have you complained that they don’t have the courtesy to call you back?  Have you ever thought maybe something major in their life has occurred and they simply forgot?  You see, we spend a lot of time assuming things that are the furthest thing from reality.  .

Mistake #2: I DEMANDED trust.  I arrived at Denison coming off back-to-back National Championships at Marietta College.  There are 375 teams in Division III baseball and we finished first two-years in a row.  I truly felt like the players should trust me based off of my past.  How arrogant of me!!

Correction #2:  You Earn trust.  People do not care what you know until they know you care.  Your past doesn’t equal your future.  I touched on the “Three C’s of trust:” character, competency, and connection a few weeks back (Coach-Ability, Trust and Some Nuggets from Urban Meyer).  Trust takes time and hard work.  Your reputation may get your foot in the door, but it will not create a high-trust environment.

Real Life Application: Take ownership of creating a culture of trust.  Have you missed opportunities to connect with your employees or athletes?  Good!  Apologize for your shortcomings.  A heartfelt apology goes a long way in creating trust.  Like me, are you expecting people to believe in you because of your position or past?  It is o.k.  However, since you have become enlightened start making adjustments in your approach.

Mistake #3: I thought I could do it all myself.  One of the first things I did when I got the job was I scrubbed the Press Box from top-to-bottom.  Next, I turned my attention to the field.  All of these things were done with good intentions.  I truly thought myself and coaching staff alone could move the baseball program forward.

Correction #3: Spend time building relationships.  Do you want to run an elite organization? You can’t do it by yourself.  In my world, you need the trust and support of admissions, the training staff, physical plant, administration, alumni, and the community.  Investing time in forging relationships is critical.

Real World Application:  Are there areas of your life or work that you should be trying to delegate?  Are you afraid to relinquish control because “if you want it done right, do it yourself?”  You can’t do it alone.  Use your resources.  Delegate.  Teach. Mentor.  Lead.

I shared with you three huge mistakes I made at the beginning of my head-coaching career.  I hope you can learn from my gaffes.  I have a favor: would you be willing to share a leadership mistake you made?  In addition, if applicable, tell me how you would have approached it differently.  I really look forward to learning from you.