Transformation or Transaction: Level Up Leadership Tips for Coaches – 055

Transactional relationships simply don’t work ot build the behaviors that are helpful to peak performance.

Here’s a perfect illustration from marriage: The transactional marriage is one where a spouse says if the other will do this chore or take care of this project, then I’ll give you sex.

There’s a transaction in response to a behavior. But in a healthy marriage, people do things for each other regardless of fulfilling desires or wants or wishes, because the behavior is based on love.

Back to sports.

Transactional coaches emphasize rewards and base their response on the outcome. Transformational coaches focus on motivating and engaging followers with a vision, regardless of the outcome of each performance.

Research shows that the carrot & stick motivation of a transaction can work for the short-term but it carries no power toward long-term goals.

Transactional coaching works when the coach is around. Transformational coaching developts athletes that will pursue even when you’re NOT around because daily activity is understood to contribute to the larger context. Intrinsically motivated athletes will innovate ways to get better.

Transformational leaders work for the team, not everything else working for the coach. It’s a mindset shift.

Let’s talk about it.

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