Last weekend, my girlfriend and I went out to dinner. The food was good, but the experience was poor.
And since I don’t leave Yelp reviews, I thought I’d share my reflections and lessons learned here instead.
The waiter greeted us with a smile and great energy, but that’s where the positives stopped.
- We waited 10 minutes before anyone even acknowledged us.
- When he finally showed up, he had charisma, but botched the order.
- He never checked in.
- And to top it off, we had to track him down 20 minutes after finishing to pay the bill, only to find him socializing with a coworker.
Two tacos and a drink took over an hour.
And it got me thinking…
This is exactly how some coaches show up.
They bring the hype and say the right things. But they’re missing the mark in execution.
So, how is this related to coaching?
The waiter had great energy and a smile. But his execution didn't match.
He reminded me that energy is part of the job, but it’s not the job.
1. Energy Is Expected, But Execution Is What Matters
Being high-energy is table stakes. As coaches, we are energy-giving professionals.
But what separates great coaches is operational awareness.
- Are you prepared?
- Are your sessions running smoothly?
- Are you noticing the small things athletes need before they say anything?
2. Acknowledge and Follow Up
Just like we waited on the server, athletes feel it when coaches don’t acknowledge them or clearly direct the session.
Create coaching touchpoints by:
- Welcoming athletes with intention
- Giving clear direction and consistent feedback
- Following up, asking questions, and ending sessions on a strong note
3. Don’t Let Vibes Replace Standards
I love a fun weight room. I want athletes to enjoy the process, even when it’s challenging.
When I was the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Sacramento Kings, we had a DJ spinning live sets in the gym during training.
But here’s the thing: the environment you create doesn’t cover up gaps in execution; it amplifies what’s already there.
Great coaching lives in the details:
- Cleaning up movement
- Adjusting training loads
- Managing mood and energy
- Making every athlete feel seen
Coaches Requires Presence and Precision
Great coaches create a positive environment and they deliver a high standard of coaching.
If that’s what you’re striving for, then the Applied Performance Coach certification was built for you.
This cohort-based course teaches you how to coach with clarity, confidence, and a system that actually works.
The next cohort is starting soon.
