This summer I started coaching my daughter’s soccer team. The problem is, I don’t know anything about soccer.
My daughter is an avid soccer player, she loves being on the field and being part of a team. I don’t think she will ever play for Team Canada, but that’s hardly the point. She is enjoying herself and having fun, which is exactly the point. The problem came about when there was a lack of coaches who came forward to help coach their team, so because I wanted her to be able to play I signed up as an assistant coach.
So why am I talking about this in an educational blog?
I mention this because it’s an example of trying something new, where a team of people (in this case girls under 11 years of age) are counting on me. They are counting on me to show up, to guide them, and to make practice fun. The actual aspects of the game I have been learning as I go with a lot of support from friends and colleagues who have been a huge support both emotionally and in terms of helping me to learn. This scenario is not that different from being a teacher or administrator. Do a Google search and you will find countless articles that show how teaching and coaching are similar (I will probably write one myself on it in the future).
While I know the team has been having fun this season, it has been fun for me as well. As I learn more, I feel more confident in coaching the team, my skills are growing with theirs. Trying new things, whether as a coach or in the classroom is an adventure if you let it be. As I mentioned, I don’t know anything about soccer (in this way I guess I get to be a real life Ted Lasso), but I do know a lot about kids and these are the skills I can bring to the table .
Some lessons from a summer of soccer include:
You don’t already need to be an expert to try something new or take something on. There is a lot of grace given when you are willing to step up and try something new.
There are so many in your support system who are happy to help you along your way.
Leading sometimes is less a skillset, than it is a mindset, in that if you are willing to work towards growth of both yourself and those you lead you will probably be fine.
In whatever my next adventure is, whether it is in my personal or professional life, I hope to keep these in mind. I encourage you to as well!
Go Team!