ZigOn: Listening to the Coach

By Zig Ziglar, Christian Post Guest Columnist Friday, July 11, 2008

The young athlete who aspires to greatness, generally speaking, learns a number of things from several different coaches. The first one taught him the fundamentals; the second one instilled discipline in him and taught him more of the techniques that must be mastered to excel. Finally, the coach who had the rare ability to spot the athlete's unique talent and then maximize that talent by teaching proper techniques.

The one thing coaches cannot tolerate. . .is the individual who grows arrogant because he excelled at a lower level and believes he has nothing else to learn. . . .The coach clearly understands that regardless of the extent of the talent, it can be more completely utilized if the proper coaching technique is applied. That coaching technique will include teaching the athletes to become team players by fitting their individual talents into the team. That's significant, because there is a dramatic difference in an all-star team and a team of all-stars. The coach's job is to take the stars and make them a team. The athlete who won't be coached simply never moves up to that last level, which is necessary for maximum personal performance and a must if the athlete is going to be a major contributor to the success of the team.

The blending of this talent into the "team" applies in any family, business, orchestra, stage production, or any other organization of more than two people. Think about it. Listen to the "coach," and I'll see you at the top!