Coaching: Team Culture

By Francesco “Frenchie” Bazzocchi

William Glasser Newsletter Summer Edition

As a coach about to embark on a new season, Dr. William Glasser ‘s Choice Theory® and Lead Management provide wonderful theoretical foundations for starting on the right path. Choice theory points out that all we can do is behave and that we have control over our own behaviour; however, by providing a very stimulating, engaging, and inspiring environment, it can greatly increase a coach’s ability to create the environment that enables players to reach their maximum potential.

In addition, Glasser points out that, if a lead manager [coach] is to create a very highly inspiring and supportive environment, an athlete’s basic needs of survival, power, freedom, fun, love and belonging need to be addressed. Thus, it is imperative to be mindful of the athlete’s needs while developing a yearly plan.

As a coach, it is very important to establish a vision, which has to address the team’s direction and clearly focus on the identity they will be adopting throughout the season. In addition, the players have to have a sense that the vision, ideally created by the team with the leadership of the coach, is very much dependent on them as a group to guide and shape as the season moves along. The vision has to be supported by a well-executed plan, which includes viable steps so that success can be both measured and evaluated. Third, the vision and plan must be accompanied by daily skills and tactics that the players are expected to follow. Fourth, the coach and players must work together to establish goals, both from a personal and team oriented perspective, on a daily, monthly and yearly basis. This ensures that both the coach and players are working together to achieve success [Quality World pictures] as they pursue a team championship.

Dr. William Glasser’s basic needs provide the foundation for forming a sound and highly inspired team culture. Setting a vision and giving the players a sense of confidence help the team with their needs for survival and power. The players know that the coach has an understanding of what it will take to win a championship. The players’ in put towards the vision in helping to shape and mould it– helps team members fulfill their need for power, and love and belonging. They are encouraged and challenged to provide critical feedback so that the team may move forward. The opportunity for coaches to give players a voice, where they can explain their point of view, is critical in establishing trustworthy relationships amongst the whole team. The plan permits players to participate in the planning process and this satisfies their need for freedom and fun.

Furthermore, when a coach provides a culture whereby athletes have an opportunity to work on daily habits of skill and tactic development and set daily, monthly, and yearly goals, the coach is ensuring that players meet their need of survival.

As a coach preparing for the upcoming season, it would be both wise and prudent to review Dr. William Glasser’s five basic needs and quality world before designing a yearly plan. Consider how your coaching environment is helping your athletes to satisfy their needs. I am confident the more you can help athletes to match the pictures of success in their Quality Worlds, the more need-satisfying the team culture will be.