If you know the story of the emperor’s clothes you know that what keeps the story going is groupthink. The fear of not seeing what everyone else can see. And so to fit in, we see it too.
The spell is broken by a child unaware of group think dynamics.
Perhaps then it’s fitting (apologies) that we turn to the Rights of Children as the answer to a toxic coaching culture in youth sports.
But, I see us falling into the same trap.
The opportunity is to bring about change in behaviour, not by telling us what to do, but by engaging in meaningful conversations. We must resist the urge to demonise those who don’t agree. After all, coaching is about understanding, empathy, and compassion.
How to guides, expert opinion, control, and compliance is how we got into this mess in the first place.
We need coaches who are not afraid to stand up and tell us what they believe in and it doesn’t have to be the same as you.