Development Zone®

   

PCA Resource Center

Greg Dale: Playing For A Coach Who Never Admits They Are Wrong

Share This Resource

Listen in as Positive Coaching Alliance goes 1-on-1 in interviews with top pro and college players, coaches, executives and other major sports figures who provide tips, tools, information and inspiration for youth and high school sports coaches, parents and student-athletes.

This 1-on-1 interview features Greg Dale, Ph.D, a Professor of Sport Psychology and Sport Ethics at Duke University (@DukeU) and PCA National Advisory Board Member. Dale is also Director of the Sport Psychology and Leadership Programs for Duke Athletics. In addition to his work with Duke athletes and coaches, Greg consults with numerous college and professional athletes and provides interactive and engaging workshops for coaches, parents and student-athletes at the youth, middle and high school levels.

Jim Thompson (@JimThompson18), PCA Founder, talks to Dale about his book The 7 Secrets of Successful Coaches and the role of credibility. Dale focuses on how coaches can get athlete buy-in by being servant leaders for their athletes, using words like "our team" or "we" rather than making it about themselves.

Other highlights of the podcast include:

  • When kids know it's about them, they're more likely to work hard and buy into the message.

  • The difference between an intense coach and emotional, reactionary coach.

  • Coaches can build credibility with athletes by taking ownership of mistakes and being vulnerable when appropriate. Just think how awful it would be to play for a coach or work for a boss who never admitted they were wrong!

  • The best coaches take the blame when things go wrong, and give athletes credit when things go right.

  • The importance of coaches being authentic ("unless they're a jerk")

Like what you hear? To subscribe to our podcast in iTunes, click here

Play or Download the Audio

Download the MP3