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How Coaches Can Help Athletes See The Big Picture In Difficult Moments

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PCA National Advisory Board Member Dacher Keltner is a Psychology Professor and the Director of the Greater Good Science Center (@GreaterGoodSC) at UC-Berkeley. Keltner is most famous in the sports world for his study on NBA teams, when he identified a link between positive, supportive ‘touching’ (such as high-fives) and success on the court. Keltner is also a published author, most recently publishing The Power Paradox.

One of the profound opportunities that both leaders and coaches have in sports, Keltner says, is helping athletes understand that they are in fact learning life lessons and learning beyond sports. Although sometimes moments can seem overwhelming to athletes, when coaches bring in this perspective and put difficult moments into context, it can help the athlete realize that every moment fits into the broader process.