Written by There is no doubt that self-confidence is an important factor regarding successful outcomes in sport, both for the coach and for the athlete. Having complete trust and confidence that a goal can be achieved is a trait found in the most effective sports coaches. It is also one that has a marked influence on the athletes. Fortunately, most sports coaches tend to recognize their limitations and have a realistic view of their coaching capabilities. The imposter syndrome is common, especially with those new to the role and, therefore, the wise sports coach listens very carefully to others.
There are, however, some coaches that have an excess of self-confidence – a hubris which is often out of step with their ability and other stakeholders’ perceptions of them. The danger of hubris is that the over confident sports coach fails to recognise their need for continued professional development. They tend to have closed minds that shut out essential learning thus leaving them trapped in their limited competence. If perceived as over confident and arrogant other people will tend to distance themselves, thereby compounding the problem.
Faith in your own ability is a very powerful internal force but it must be tempered by a self-awareness regarding current capabilities and contextual constraints. The greatest example of unshakeable faith meeting an immoveable object resides in the story of the would-be mountaineer Maurice Wilson – a story of unswerving faith. Wilson, a young hero of World War 1, was unable to settle after demobilisation and so he travelled the globe in search of identity. Returning home penniless he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and given three months to live.
Not willing to accept the prognosis he found an Indian mystic who convinced him that if he fasted for thirty five days, drank only small amounts of water and prayed he would be cured. Miraculously the remedy worked and Wilson made a full recovery. He was so elated with his fortunes that he wanted to find a way to prove the power of faith. He wanted to demonstrate that ‘by faith and faith alone he could reach the summit of Mount Everest’ (Roberts, 1957).
Wilson, unskilled as a mountaineer, wanted to choose a task so challenging that the world would see the power of faith. His plan was to climb Mount Everest alone. This was to be accomplished by crash landing an aircraft half way up the mountain. He would then climb triumphantly to the roof of the world. First he learned to fly, and then in 1934 in a minor epic in aviation history, he flew solo to India where his plane was immediately impounded. This confiscation was on the request of the British Government who feared for Wilson’s life. Undaunted, Wilson dressed up as a monk and then trekked over 300 miles to the foot of Mount Everest.
Having reached the mountain he then proceeded to climb to over 21,000 feet before realising he did not have the resources to continue. He descended and after six weeks recuperating in a monastery made a second attempt. This time, however, he decided he needed help and took two Sherpas. These Sherpas soon realised that Wilson did not have the skills needed for this monumental endeavour. They tried, unsuccessfully, to convince him that the task was beyond him and returned home leaving Wilson on the mountain. His body was discovered by the 1935 Shipton expedition at over 21,000 feet. Wilson’s last diary entry, dated 31st May 1934 read: – ‘Off again, gorgeous day’ (ibid).
Maurice Wilson evidently failed in his task to summit Mount Everest. This story shows that faith alone is not enough, even with divine help. It also demonstrates that capability matching the challenge, resources and the help of others are essential ingredients for success. Wilson was brave, determined, persistent and confident that he would achieve his goal but it eluded him in the end. Had he listened to the Sherpas who knew the mountain and had extensive experience of being at much higher altitudes he could have survived and lived to tell the tale.
What Wilson achieved through faith was very impressive. To reach the altitude he did was remarkable. Experienced and skilled mountaineers find climbing to the heights that Wilson managed a real challenge even with help and adequate resources. Wilson’s body was consigned to a glacier but has re-emerged on several occasions leading some to believe that he hasn’t given up just yet! The mission he chose, however, was beyond him and whether he decided to die rather than return or if environmental conditions killed him we will never know. It does, however, act as a stark warning.
Hubris, or excessive confidence, whether self-generated or by divine intervention is dangerous. Effective leaders know the value of listening to their followers, supporters and technical experts. They also know the importance of being self-aware of their limitations and role boundaries. The best sports coaches seek feedback from others and are honest with themselves. They may at times have to act with confidence even when they are not for the benefit of their athletes, especially at competition, but they endeavour to learn and improve on a day-by-day basis.
It is difficult to see yourself as others see you. However, the truth is that you are what you are perceived to be whether you like it or not. Silent followers signal a warning that you might be suffering from an attack of hubris. Talented athletes may be achieving in spite of your coaching not because of it. Forming a strategy for self development and gaining mastery entails a position audit – an honest assessment of capabilities and resources. It also requires an assessment of the contextual constraints that need to be considered. Finally, it requires bringing these two assessments together through an exercise that might be referred to as a personal appraisal-in-context to reveal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Whatever you do, however, involve your athletes and other key stakeholders. We can all learn from each other for the benefit of our athletes and the advancement of the human spirit.
References
Roberts, D. (1957). I’ll Climb Mount Everest Alone. London, UK. Robert Hale Ltd.