How does Jake Boss help his players develop the invaluable skill of empathy?
Unfortunately, most people equate effective coaching with technical knowledge. We assume that coaches that played at the highest level are the best coaches. Nothing could be further from the truth. Coaching is an art form. The best coaches have the ability to communicate honestly and deliver instruction that sticks.
My guest, Jake Boss, is the head baseball coach at my alma mater Michigan State University. Like me, Jake wanted to play baseball for the Spartans, but was unable too. However, today he coaches at the highest level of collegiate baseball because of his ability to teach the game and lead young men.
In this bonus remix episode, Coach Boss discusses the complex subject of empathy. In my view, the best coaches help their young players put themselves in others’ shoes - their coaches, their teammates, their parents. Coaching in any sport is about preparing young athletes for what’s next in life, not just wins and losses.
So, what was your biggest takeaway from my conversation with Jake Boss?
For me, it’s that teaching empathy for others is a staple of good coaching. Athletes may not always like their coaches or the things that they do. However, being able to appreciate WHY coaches do what they do is critical to forging a trusting and constructive relationship between coach and player.
My suggestion to young athletes is simply to keep an open mind. Keeping an open mind is fully within one’s control. You may not like the things that others say or do, but keeping an open mind will give you the opportunity to learn something new that will make you a better athlete and more importantly, a better person.
I want to thank Jake for his kind generosity and the wisdom he shared with The Freshman Foundation Community.
To learn more about how mental performance coaching can help your mind work FOR you rather than AGAINST you, visit https://michaelvhuber.com.
Thank you for listening. We’ll see you back in two weeks ready to get better!