Board of advisors — BASC | Strength & Conditioning

Take home message

EVERYONE NEEDS A BOARD OF ADVISORS.

For Coaches

A good board has diversity. Balance your team of support experts.

For Athletes

Athletes also need a board of advisors for the diverse range of skills you need to develop. Be active in choosing and managing your team wisely.

I think it is clear that a team succeeds because of the collaboration and support of the team members. As a coach, I work in a team providing the service of strength and conditioning. However, supporting me is my team comprised of a diverse range of skill sets, just like any team.

I think mine starts with the athletes. They quickly let me know where I stand. Their level of engagement (or not) and feedback provide an instant barometer regarding my coaching. Their physical adaptation is an indication of my programming. Whether intentional or not, feedback is always provided if I listen carefully enough. And whilst this group may be likened to “customers”, I regularly seek the opinion of players, who I invite onto my board of advisors.

Skills coaches are also on my advisory board. They provide a perspective on coaching and communication that is not biased by my S&C filter. They see athlete performance through a different lens which is invaluable if I am trying to provide a service to them and the players. The coaches have combined decades of working with people, vast experiences and an array of strategies for coaching.

Important on my board of advisors are S&C coaches outside of my current organisation. I am fortunate to have developed a network of coaches who are willing to share their opinions regarding my program or coaching. It’s funny how often I hear coaches plead for players to “take the coaching”, yet we are not often receptive to the cold hard facts ourselves. I encourage my experienced colleagues to talk openly about what they think of my coaching and programming. I have respect for them, which is why I am asking for their feedback – they are not going to hurt my feelings, no matter how tough the message. It is always delivered with the intention to make me better. To present a viewpoint that I cannot see from where I stand. There were so many times this recent cycle I sought out their counterpoint. I’d be arrogant to say that I write the best program. Equally arrogant to say that the program I end up producing is 100% mine. There is always an element of collaboration in everything I do.

There is so much to S&C coaching that it is important to have members on my advisory board that are not S&C. They have absolutely no bias to exercise or sport. They see logistics, relationships and areas of ‘normal life’ that I may be ignorant to with my S&C blinders on. They include the business people and managerial operators, plus mates in different lines of work.

For me, the most important members of my team are family. Their “role” is to keep me grounded, give me a purpose, make me appreciative of my fortunate career, support me and distract me. They’re good team members providing unconditional support that is required for moments where I get overwhelmed, forget my place or purpose and need encouragement. I think perhaps for many coaches, the family may be the unacknowledged cornerstone of the advisory team.

It’s fascinating to think how important each of these board members are in assisting me and how little I probably acknowledge their support and influence. How are you building and maintaining your team?

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Thanks again. BA.