by Daniel Sisk

Created on: December 05, 2008

School sports are well underway, and I want to see a Hollywood coach. You know, a coach like Gene Hackman in "Hoosiers", Matthew McConaughey in "We are Marshall", or Denzel Washington in "Remember the Titans". These coaches built character, inspired, molded. They were tough but positive, stern but fair. And at half time, after the team had been knocked down and beaten up, these coaches would ignite a fire of inspiration with a gripping, passionate rally. In short, these coaches knew that the way to build a winning team was to first build winning players. Unfortunately, too many coaches don't get it.

Okay, maybe I watch too many movies. But after over twenty years in the professional world - the last two learning management - and after raising teenagers, I've learned there's a right way and a wrong way to motivate.

Now, pushing your staff toward a singular goal, such as winning a game, is like sweeping up marbles on an ice rink. But with my work group, outside-the-box thinking and independence are essential to keep pace with the twists and turns of scientific exploration. Winning, therefore, has many facets. So I nudge instead of push. I try to provide what I'd want: the resources and latitude to their best, two willing ears, and respect. Seems like common sense to me. Though I'm not sure they think I'm worth the oxygen, at least I haven't broken anything: they continue to demonstrate expertise few if any can match. In short, they do work. And they make a good team. If a dope like me can bumble this far, why do so many "savvy" coaches disenchant kids?

In this mood, I stumbled upon an article about Coach John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach who led teams to numerous national championships. Coach Wooden had a powerful and concise formula for successful leadership. His timeless formula demanded listening, positive reinforcement, respect, and patience. Again, common sense. But his "Pyramid of Success", built upon fundamental axioms, asserted a disruptive claim: success isn't about winning. Instead, it follows from the realization of potential. And that's where leadership comes in. Leadership defines itself by its ability to release that potential and give it life, whether that potential resides within an engineer or high school athlete. And, brother, with the state this country's in, we need some fired up potential.

So I'll keep trying. But I worry about some of the adults we trust our kids to on the playing field. They don't realize school sports should be

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