The Challenge of Management

1. The Challenge of Management By Ger Loughnane

2. Team Management5 Main Steps • I) Staffing:- • Most important for success • Good character, strong work ethic, & ability to get on with others essential • Selection should be done clinically based on commitment & character • “One enemy can do more damage than the good done by a hundred friends”

3. Team Management • II) Planning:- • Planning short-term, intermediate & long term are central to success • What is going to be done, how it is going to be done and who is going to do it • Setting goals and objectives • Developing a training programme – yearly plan – weekly plan – competition dates – travel etc • “Proper preparation prevents poor performance”

4. Team Management • III) Organising:- • Who is going to do what with resources • Details of what is to be done should be listed and clearly defined • Division of tasks • The roles of coaches, trainers, support staff, and administrators should be made clear to avoid misunderstandings or conflict

5. Team Management • IV) Leading:- • Requires many skills other than knowledge of technical aspects of the sport • Provide direction & vision, create the right atmosphere & motivate all of the group to achieve goals • Confront & solve problems quickly & fairly • “The main distinction between leaders & followers is not strength or knowledge, but the will, the zeal to win”

6. Team Management • V) Controlling:- • Controlling & measuring performance is vital • Without follow up of how players and team are progressing, goal setting lacks meaning • Setting standards then evaluating are methods of controlling • Regular individual & team meetings • “The 1st & most important step towards success is the feeling we can succeed” • “Winning isn’t everything, but making the effort to win is”

7. 20 Main Managing Respect Factors • Previous playing experience & success • Previous coaching experience & success • Good appearance, neatly dressed, fit • Good living habits • Good work habits – put in the hours, efficient • Well organized – practices, meetings, travel etc.

8. 20 Main Managing Respect Factors 7. Good communicator – explains things clearly, good listener 8. Availability – always has time for players 9. Knowledgeable – demonstrates knowledge of the game, both technical and tactical 10. Teaching ability – displays ability to correct technical and tactical errors

9. 20 Main Managing Respect Factors 11. Highly motivated – displays intensity, commitment, involvement 12. Positive upbeat, enthusiastic, optimistic – gives lots of praise & reinforcement 13. Good match day tactician – makes adjustments, reads & reacts, acts decisively under pressure 14. Good sense of humour – can keep things loose 15. Good leadership skills – in the dressing room & during the game

10. 20 Main Managing Respect Factors 16. Good self control skills – displays composure, emotional control 17. Desire to improve – seeks new knowledge, attends coaching clinics, self – evaluates 18. Honest & fair with players – doesn’t show favouritism, is “tough but fair” 19. Open to suggestions – displays some flexibility, listens to players’ & assistants’ suggestions

11. 20 Main Managing Respect Factors 20. Shows a genuine interest in players as individuals – demonstrates knowledge & interest in their life away from the sport situation Knowledge of the sport, being a good communicator, being honest but fair with the players, & showing an interest in them, as well as being positive & upbeat, were deemed the most important of the 20 factors. These respect factors can serve as a useful checklist for periodical self – evaluation for managers

12. Players Motivation • Need for prestige, enhancement of the self, achievement • Need to defend status, avoid humiliation & overcome defeat • Need to affiliate, form affectionate relationships with others, be friendly & co – operative • Need to acquire inanimate objects, arrange things, keep things tidy • Need to explore, ask questions, satisfy curiosity • Need to exercise power over others, dominate or be submissive to others

13. Behaviour in Athletic Situation • The athletic contest usually provides this for the athlete • Coaches appeal to this need prior to important contests when facing opponents who have defeated and/or humiliated them • Many athletes join teams to satisfy this motive. Coaches use this with phrases such as “For the good of the team” • The concern for both athletes & coaches with rules, organisation, collection of trophies • Athletes depending on coach’s rationale for training programs, tactics etc. • Many sports by their very nature demonstrate this motive. Football linemen fighting for their territory, wrestlers, boxers, tennis, and any one – on – one matches illustrate this motive

14. Walter Gill probably summarized the job of a coach best in “What is a coach?”.“A coach is a politician, a judge, a public speaker, a teacher, a trainer, a financier, a labourer, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, & a chaplain. He must be an optimist & yet at times appear to be a pessimist, seem humble & yet be very proud, strong but at times weak, confident yet not overconfident, enthusiastic but not too enthusiastic. He must have the hide of an elephant, the fierceness of a lion, the pep of a young pup, the guts of an ox, the stamina of an antelope, the wisdom of an owl, the cunning of a fox, & the heart of a kitten. He must be willing to give freely of his time, his money, his energy, his youth, his family life, & his health. In return he must expect little if any financial reward, little comfort on earth, little praise but plenty of criticism. However, a good coach is respected & is a leader in his community, is loved by his team, & makes lasting friends wherever he goes. He has the satisfaction of seeing young people develop & improve in ability. He learns the thrill of victory & how to accept defeat with grace. His associations with athletes help keep him young in mind & spirit, & he too must grow & improve in ability with his team. In his heart he knows that, in spite of the inconvenience, the criticism, & the demands on his time, he loves his work, for he is coach.”