I have been doin a little mini-series on sportsmanship and teamwork.  If you have missed the first two, I have included the links at the bottom of this post.  Sportsmanship carries over into all areas of our lives.  This is why our eight yera old son plays sports all year around.  Once soccer and fall baseball were done, we started into the basketball season three days later!  I want my children to learn self-discipline and the other important lessons sports teach us...particularly when we have the right coaches.

If you have not guessed this topic...it is coaching! In basketbll (as it is the current sport at my house), we need a coach of our team of nine boys.  In fact, we have two coaches...my husband and another gentlemen who also adores the boys.  In order to find a good coach, we need to look at a few criteria. 

• Do they love the game?
• Do they understand the game?
• What has been there level of experience in the game?
• Do they know the rules of the game?  Do they stay up on rule changes so that their team members do not get into any trouble on and off the court?  As a Portlander, we know all too well about that with the Portland Trailblazers...I digress...
• Do they love the players?
• Are they patient with their team?
• Is their attitude one to mimic?
• Are they out to win games?  Or are they out to teach how to win games?
• Will they yell out a play during game time?  Or will you be left dribbling the ball down the court and on your own?

Of course, there are many more things to consider.  And if you have ever had any level of personal experience with team sports, you know what you would do if you coached and what you would never do as the coach!   While it appears obvious that children need someone to teach them the game of basketball, sometimes as "grown ups" we forget that we still need to be taught.  We forget that although we can be taught, that it is a great idea that we be taught.  We forget that there are people out there who want to help us.  We even forget that we have things we can teach others!

Many, many people have been involved in this business for many, many years  Yet there is still knowledege to obtain.  So you have been a Realtor for twenty years...great!  Sure, you have seen the market fluctuate before.  You have seen changes, and you even got through them successfully.  Good for you!  I must be bold here, though.  The longer we have been involved in something, the less likely we are to change our way of thinking.  The more stubborn we get.  The less we listen to the advice of others.  So we must beware of our attitutdes, lest we miss out on great coaching.

Look at the little boys on the basketball team compared to the NBA players.  The coach is needed when the players are young and new to the sport.  There is so much more to teach them!  I have a newsflash, though.  The NBA coach is needed too!  It is just that he is needed for small changes.  For adjustments to the defense.  For his life experiences.  For his willingness to get new drills for the team, to stay up and study game tapes of the upcoming opponents.   We, being involved in the team sport of Real Estate, need to be coached and to coach.  Form partnerships with someone younger than you are...or older than you are!  As those of us with less experienc, we can learn from the life experience of the...experienced.  Those of us who are seasoned in this business, we also have a lot we can learn from the "newbies"...excitement, new technology, new marketing....

We have a lot to share with one another.  Stop looking at your competition as the enemy.  There is plenty to go around!  I mean, even the NBA players talk, hug, and shake hands when a game is over.  Some of them even hang out together on off days!  So we too, should be capable of generosity towards our colleagues.  As any good coach would do, help those who ask for help.  Give freely of your wisdom and insight.  But, do not forget that being coached is equally important!  So I guess it is blessed to give and to receive when it comes to coaching!   I will be watching, reading, and writing!

STEP UP TO THE PLATE ~ Part One

STEP UP TO THE PLATE ~ Part Two

Next weeks topic will be on another aspect of sportsmanship.  Come back and read it on Sunday the 2nd of December...