Trust - more insights from Sound Soccer

One of the things I enjoy about coaching is learning about ideas I might apply in other aspects of life and work. Of course it works in the other direction as well :-)

Here's another great note from Randy at Sound Soccer about Trust, Character, and Competence.

Hope it's helpful.

Hello Brian,
We hold invitational tryouts for our college team and this year I was able to explain to the players our selection process for a roster spot and for playing time from a slightly different perspective.

After reading Stephen M.R. Covey's book, The Speed of Trust, it hit me that choosing a player is basically showing trust in them. When I asked the college players what it takes to trust someone, they gave answers like, "the person must be honest" or "they need to be genuine, not a fake"... statements that point to a person's character and intentions.

Covey suggests that this is only half of the equation. To ultimately trust someone, they must display both character AND competence. In other words, they have to be a good person and have talents and skills that will produce real results.

There are a few distinctions that are important to note.

A common misconception regarding competence is that producing results can get confused with producing activities. One may think that if they "put in the hours" or "come to all the practices" that this is enough to gain trust.

Activities are not results.

What happens when a person shows the character to be trusted, but does not yet have the talents and skills to produce real results?

To be chosen or trusted, they must have the potential to improve to the point that they will produce results in the future. They must show they "have an upside" and also that they have the behaviors and habits to develop the talents and skills necessary to produce results.
What happens if someone produces results but has low character? The same applies - do they have the potential to become a better person?My experience is that it can be done, but that character change is much tougher than the acquisition of new skills.

Help those you coach and lead to understand that to be a high achiever and ultimately be trusted, they must have both character AND competence.

From my experience, the most effective coaches are those able to both identify and develop a players character and competence.

All the Best,
Randywww.soundsoccer.com Sound Soccer, LLC502 8th Ave NWPuyallup, WA 98371 USA