IDO MOVEMENT FOR CULTURE

A coach’s work is extremely versatile: conducting training, teaching sensory-motor skills and tactics, developing pupil’s energy fitness and motor co-ordination, and also – very important – educating pupil, developing his self-confidence, self-efficacy and his entire personality.
One unique coaching philosophy does not exist. High results are achieved by coaches of different personalities, temperaments, different methods of training and different leadership styles. There are, however, certain common traits among the most successful coaches. The author discusses these common traits with special emphasis on coach’s leadership abilities and management and leadership style.
The leadership is the process of influencing the activities of an organized group in its efforts towards goal settings and goal and tasks achievement. The existence of leadership requires:
1. Group of people,
2. A common goal,
3. Differentiation of tasks.
As Richard Cox puts it: “To be an effective leader, the person with the authority to lead (formal competence; ZC) must also have a fair share of the power and influence in the organisation. While authority to lead can be conferred on a person, power and influence often must be earned over a period of time”.
The variety of different coaching profiles is reflected, among other things, in different leadership styles.
1. Dictatorial style (autocratic style) – extreme form of formal and directive style. The coach behaves like a dictator: he does not explain anything, he does not care about the pupil’s opinions and feelings, he simply gives orders and demands obedience. He applies negative reinforcements, often treating his pupils instrumentally.
2. Directive style – the coach distinctly plays the part of the superior and leader. He coaches, gives orders and the athlete listens and follows the orders, but it is not as one-sided and severe as dictatorial style.
3. Formal style – the coach and athlete co-operate concentrating on the achievement of consecutive training tasks.
4. Co-operative style – may be applied even with young pupils; the coach directs the process of training but he explains his decisions, he takes into account the pupil’s feelings, doubts, questions and opinions; he stimulates athlete’s initiative and independence.
5. Friendly style – may be applied with adult, intelligent athletes; there is friendly co-operation and marked emotional linkage and empathy.
One may achieve good results applying various styles of leadership, but definitely the most efficacious and most educational are the co-operative and friendly leadership styles.
At the end of the article, the author after having discussed Mc Gregor’s X theory (workers, athletes, employees are lazy and irresponsible, and therefore need strong control and direction) and Mc Gregor’s Y theory (workers are naturally self-motivated and responsible, willing to work and therefore need only encouragement), discusses in detail extreme leadership styles: dictatorial on one hand and co-operative and friendly styles on the other hand, stressing their most characteristic points, assets, values and negative sides.