Jordan Cassidy, a skill acquisition specialist and PhD student, dives into the intricacies of coaching and effective learning. He highlights the importance of reflection and creating positive environments for athletes. Jordan debunks the myth of fixed learning styles, advocating for context-dependent approaches. He emphasizes the need for psychological safety in coaching and discusses the challenge point framework to tailor tasks for athletes. The conversation also touches on critical self-reflection and the role of empathy in developing skills effectively.
Jordan Cassidy emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between learning and performance, stating that true learning is measured by behavior change rather than mere attendance at training.
Reflective practice is vital in coaching, requiring a critical analysis of assumptions and decisions to refine approaches and adapt to athlete needs effectively.
Creating a psychologically safe coaching environment is essential, enabling coaches to learn from mistakes while incorporating challenges to foster meaningful development and growth.
Deep dives
The Journey of Skill Acquisition Research
Jordan Cassidy discusses his extensive background in coaching, which includes roles as a sports scientist and coach developer. He explains that he's currently pursuing a PhD focused on skill acquisition, where his research aims to explore effective methods for providing coaches with necessary support. The underpinning question driving his studies is how to enhance skill acquisition practices within various coaching contexts, especially at high-performance levels. By expanding on his previous master's thesis, which investigated coaching support strategies, Cassidy suggests a need for tailored interventions that recognize the diverse needs of coaches.
Understanding Learning vs. Knowledge
Cassidy emphasizes the distinction between merely acquiring knowledge and demonstrating effective learning. Learning, as he defines it, is evident only when behavior changes as a result of new insights or practices. He reflects on the coaching environment, highlighting that simply attending a training session does not guarantee that a coach has learned unless it translates into improved coaching practices. His experiences reveal that genuine learning requires engagement and the ability to apply knowledge contextually in real coaching scenarios.
Reflection as a Critical Practice
The importance of reflective practice in coaching is a central theme in Cassidy's discourse. He argues that reflection should not just be a superficial exercise but must involve a critical analysis of assumptions and decisions made during coaching. By challenging traditional practices through deeper reflection, coaches can refine their approaches and avoid falling back on outdated methods. Cassidy advocates for structured reflective frameworks that allow coaches to analyze their actions critically and adapt their strategies based on context and athlete needs.
Creating Positive Learning Environments
Cassidy introduces the concept of psychological safety as a key component of effective coaching environments. He believes that for coaches to learn and grow, they must feel safe to make mistakes without fear of judgment or reprisal. By incorporating challenge into learning while simultaneously fostering an atmosphere where failure is seen as a part of the process, coaches are more likely to engage in meaningful development. He likens effective learning environments to 'fish tanks' that replicate real-world challenges, allowing coaches to experiment safely.
Exploring the Role of Values in Coaching
The discussion also covers the significance of understanding core values among coaches and their influence on decision-making. Cassidy suggests that recognizing one's values can aid in the reflective process and contribute to better coaching practices. He stresses that while coaches may not always be aware of their values, understanding their behaviors and feelings in response to those values can illuminate their coaching philosophies. This awareness is vital for developing more authentic and effective coaching strategies that resonate with both coaches and athletes.
In this episode, I speak with with Jordan Cassidy, a skill acquisition specialist and PhD student, about the complexities of coaching, the importance of reflection, and the need for creating positive learning environments. We discuss the differences between learning and performance, the myth of learning styles, and the significance of understanding values in coaching. Jordan emphasises the necessity of psychological safety and challenge in coaching, as well as the role of curiosity in reflective practice. The conversation also touches on Jordan's future aspirations in skill acquisition and coach development.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode