Coaching Culture 436: Coaching Like a Scientist: Finding Your Best Self and Making Values a Tool | McKenzie Ridgely Part 2
đ§Ș Coaching Like a Scientist: How Observation & Values Led to a State Title
What does it mean to "coach like a scientist"? In Part 2 of our conversation with first-year varsity head coach and podcast editor Mckenzie Ridgely, we explore the evolution of leadership that goes far beyond personality.
Mckenzie reflects on her journey from thinking leadership meant being the "loudest and meanest" to realizing that her best self involves observing how her players respond and shifting her methods to meet them where they are. We dive deep into the "Team Manifesto"âhow co-created values became the ultimate tool for accountability during a high-stakes championship run.
In this episode, we discuss:
Evolving the "Best Self": Why coaching based on personality alone is a trap, and how to adapt your energy to get the best out of others.
The "Scientist" Approach: Learning to treat every practice and game as an experiment, using player feedback (verbal and behavioral) to guide your next move.
Values as a Tool, Not Just a Poster: The critical moment Mckenzie used team values to turn around a failing scrimmage and set the tone for the season.
The TOC Safety Net: The power of a non-judgmental community for testing new systems and finding support in the "mind games" of leadership.
The Story of the Season: Implementing team journaling to help players reflect on their growth and the memories that led to a State Championship.
Key Resources Mentioned:
Annie Duke on Decision-Making (Podcast Episode)
Jennifer Garvey Berger on Mind Traps (Podcast Series)
Connect with us:Join the FREE TOC Coach Community to access the same tools Mckenzie used to lead her team to a state title.
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