Coaching Leadership

This chapter addresses the coach–athlete relationship (CAR), leadership and communication. Effective coach–athlete teams are key to high performance, and Jowett’s 3+1Cs model of closeness, commitment, complementarity and co-orientation, which dominates the field, is explored in depth. Additionally, the COMPASS model gives seven areas to focus on to enhance relationships. At national and international levels, the introduction of dynamic teaming, where the coaching team is expanded to include numerous other professionals (e.g. specialists in the fields of physiotherapy, strength and conditioning, psychology, etc.), requires excellent leadership and management skills. Coaches can also benefit from using the Transformational Leadership Model, which has been adapted to sport. Idealised influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualised consideration have been positively associated with the quality of the CAR and subsequent performance. Communication is key to delivering effective coaching leadership. With a foray into the placebo and nocebo effects and the ‘meaning response’, words clearly have the capacity to help or harm. The chapter finishes by adopting 11 persuasive phrases, giving examples of avoiding negative suggestions, creating positive expectations, with demonstrations of two bad news formulae in place of the standard feedback sandwich.