How Great Coaches Bring Out The Best In Others

Great coaches do more than spend long hours breaking down tape and scribbling x's and o's; they act as role models for their teams, bringing out the best in athletes through motivation, inspiration and leadership. The following list contains some of the most admired coaches in the country as well as insights on how we can apply their philosophies for success in our jobs and workplaces.

Joe Paterno, College Football Coach
What he's done: When it comes to inspiration, Penn State football coach Joe Paterno is a legend -- he has the second-most wins of any football coach in Division 1A history, two national titles and over 50 years of success at the same institution. Critics had counted him out before the 2005 season, but Joe proved them wrong by going 11-1 and winning the Orange Bowl against Florida State.

What you can learn: While he's a brilliant tactician, Paterno's true key to success is his ability to motivate each of his players to drop their egos, work on the same page and reach for their goals as a team.

In Paterno by the Book, the coach writes: "In teaching excellence in football, we have to reach the soul of the player... at the heart of our curriculum, as important as skills and tactics, are the purposeful uses of emotion, commitment, discipline, loyalty, and pride." Loyalty and pride; if you're one of Paterno's players, that's what you are playing for -- the loyalty of your teammates and the pride of adding your name to the pantheon of legends who have gone before you.

Applying it to work: As a business leader, tell people why you're taking a course of action before you explain how.

Phil Jackson, NBA Coach
What he's done: With nine NBA titles under his belt, Jackson is one of the most successful coaches in the history of basketball. He was the head coach for the Chicago Bulls from 1989 to 1998 and the Los Angeles Lakers from 1999 to 2004. After a year off from coaching, he returned to the Lakers in 2005.

What you can learn: Credited with modernizing the triangle offense, Jackson is widely recognized as a brilliant tactician. But there's no question his teams would have failed to enjoy the same success if it wasn't for his ability to handle difficult players like Dennis Rodman and to bring individuals together as a team.

According to Michael Jordan, Jackson successfully melded different styles and talents, and fostered harmony among teammates. Recognizing that each athlete possesses unique emotional, mental and spiritual attributes, Jackson's success relies on taking a holistic approach to managing his players.

Applying it to work: Treat your subordinates as distinct, complex individuals and try to recognize the root of behaviors that you wish to encourage or discourage.

Joe Torre, Major League Baseball Coach
What he's done: Torre is a New York icon. As the manager of the New York Yankees and a former baseball player, he guided the Yankees to World Series titles in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000.

What you can learn: Torre's first rule for success is understanding each and every one of his players; he knows their skills, their potential and their personalities -- on and off the field. Torre claims this awareness is the only way to blend distinct personalities into a cohesive unit.

Applying it to work: Take a lesson from Torre's playbook and get to know your team in and out of the office. What are their personal and professional interests? What are their families like? What are their hobbies? Knowing your "players" shows you care.

Vince Lombardi, NFL Coach
What he's done: In 1959, Lombardi took over coaching duties for the Green Bay Packers. An organization that was in complete disarray when he joined, Lombardi transformed the Packers into one of the most successful teams in the history of American football -- winning three consecutive NFL championships between 1965 and 1967.

What you can learn: Lombardi's motivational skills are legendary. He once said: "Coaches who can outline plays on a blackboard are a dime a dozen. The ones who win get inside their players and motivate." And motivate he did; Lombardi's players were devoted to him and his philosophy of hard work and winning.

Applying it to work: For Lombardi, second place was not an option. He put his players through the NFL's most grueling workouts and expected singular devotion to the cause of winning. While it's questionable whether Lombardi's approach would work as well today, he did reinforce the concept of leader as motivator. In the office, accept this role for yourself; employees and colleagues are searching for motivation, and if you don't provide it, they'll search elsewhere.

Pat Riley, NBA Coach
What he's done: Riley was the "coach of the '80s," leading the Los Angeles Lakers to four championships. His 1987 team is considered one of the greatest of all time. And in addition to winning six NBA world championships, he is the only coach in the NBA to be named Coach of the Year for three different teams.

What you can learn: During a 1987 championship parade, Riley promised a crowd in downtown Los Angeles that the Lakers would repeat their triumph again the following year. The 1988 Lakers did just that, becoming the first team in 19 years to win back-to-back championships.

Riley's strongest trait was his ability to transfer his vision of success to his players. For example, between the 1986 and 1987 seasons, Riley convinced his athletes to improve their game skills by 1%. The result would seem minimal initially, but as 12 athletes improved their performance by 1% -- across various skill levels -- the combined improvement would mean a team that was 60% better. In fact, the players went beyond Riley's request and improved by 5%.

Applying it to work: Identify aspects of yourself and your subordinates that need improvement, then make steady, incremental steps toward rectifying your team's performance in these areas.

John Wooden, College Basketball Coach
What he's done: In the 40 seasons Wooden coached high-school and college basketball, his teams won over 80% of their games. Wooden also gained fame at UCLA for winning 620 games and 10 NCAA titles, and coaching four perfect seasons.

What you can learn: Wooden sought to develop players by emphasizing their physical, mental and emotional strengths. He knew everything tied together to create the ultimate player and team -- studying hard required good mental control, which helped avoid mistakes on and off the court.

Applying it to work: Wooden had a seven-point creed that rings as true today as when he first developed it: Be true to yourself, make each day your masterpiece, help others, drink deeply from good books, make friendship a fine art, build a shelter against a rainy day, and give thanks for your blessings every day.

Bill Walsh, NFL & College Football Coach
What he's done: It is widely accepted that Bill Walsh is one of the greatest coaches in NFL history. Walsh's San Franciso 49ers, considered one of the best teams in NFL history, finished their '84 season with an 18-1 record before going on to win the Super Bowl. Add his '84 team to three other Super Bowl titles, seven NFC playoff appearances and six NFC Western Division Conference Titles, and it's no wonder Walsh was elected to the NFL Hall of Fame.

What you can learn: Walsh saw himself as a tutor, teaching quarterbacks such as Joe Montana and Steve Young, as well as Super Bowl coaches George Siefert, Mike Holmgren and Sam Wyche. He said no aspect of coaching is more important than teaching. The best teachers, he advised, used direct, clear and concise language to make sure explanations were understood by everyone.

Applying it to work: See yourself as a teacher and lavish praise when warranted. Your team will reward you with more success than you can imagine.

have a game plan

Effective coaches are successful at motivating, inspiring and leading teams to greatness. In business, we owe much -- if not all -- our success to effective teamwork; so take a few tips from the pros and strategize how to improve your team's chances of winning on the corporate field.

Carmine Gallo is a business communications coach and author of 10 Simple Secrets of the World's Greatest Business Communicators.

Resources:
Paterno: By the Book by Joe Paterno
Michael Jordan Speaks by Janet Lowe
Joe Torre's Ground Rules for Winners by Joe Torre
When Pride Still Mattered by David Maraniss
Coach Wooden One-on-Oneby John Wooden and Jay Carty