by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.
Copyright © 2013 Jerry Lynch
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CONTENTS
PRELUDE Meeting Dean At The Dome
INTRODUCTION Sea Change With A Dancing Heart
PART ONE: WISDOM TO INSPIRE Learning Emotional Intelligence In The Spirit Of Coaching Wu Shi Leadership Firmness Yet Fairness Being The Five Senses When Student Is Ready, Teacher Appears Be The Change You Want To See Ten Effective Behaviors Dormant Leader Within Socrates In The Gym The Art Of Listening Strength Of Ten Tigers Having Love In Your Heart Guiding In Sacred Awe Grateful To Great The Lens Of Compassion Cycle Of Four Seasons Invictus Spiritus Be Here Now One Heart, One Goal Outside-The-Box Inspiration Elevation Position Of The Gray Heron The Heart Of War Fertilizing The Soil
PART TWO: WISDOM TO EMPOWER Three Noble Talents From Disability To Possibility Keys To Authenticity Like Frying A Delicate Fish Fast Food Or Soul Food Putting Yourself Last To Lead Is To Serve Conscious Self Awareness The Bamboo Way Sixth Sense Of Sacred Awareness Power Of Influence Winning The Relationship Game Conceal The Jade Wholeness Of Character Culture Of We Not Me Cycles Of Change Shed Light, Show Path Two Wolves Fighting Softer Effort, Stronger Result Haste Makes Waste Weathering The Storm Whistles Blowing In The Wind Worthy Opponent, Seeking Together Tao Of Loa Fing Questions On The Quest
PART THREE: WISDOM OF THE WATERCOURSE WAY The River Dance Trustful Guides Along The Way Fluid Vision For A Global Mission
PRELUDE
Meeting Dean At The Dome
He has been called a “coaching legend” by the Basketball Hall of Fame. To athletes like Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Phil Ford, Sam Perkins, and others under his tutelage over a 37 year span, he is simply called “Coach.” His name is Dean Smith, retired coach of men’s basketball at the University of North Carolina.
I have been enamored with this icon, leader, mentor, and teacher-coach since his arrival in “Tar Heel Country” back in 1961. I loved basketball and I loved him: his coaching style, his athlete-centered approach, and his “way of being” on and off the court. He was, to me, what extraordinary coaching was all about. He was the quintessential leader of men. However, all of my perceptions about him were formed from afar, reading accounts about him in Sports Illustrated, observing him during games, and listening to others as they spoke fondly about this amazing legend. Yet, this was not enough for me. I desired to have an opportunity to know firsthand, in person, face to face, what this man was really like and to feel his presence, up close and personal, and perhaps get to really understand the essence of such a great man.
That opportunity fortuitously came to me exactly a year ago while I was working at the University of North Carolina with Jenny Levy, head coach of the women’s lacrosse program. Basically, I followed Nike’s advice and I “just did it.” I meandered over to the Dean Smith Center, the basketball arena on campus affectionately called the “Dean Dome” and showed up to see if I could reserve an appointment for some future date out of respect for his stature and busy schedule. To my surprise and delight, his secretary of several decades (this should tell you a lot about him) said to me: “If you can wait just a minute Dr. Lynch, I will tell him you are here. I am sure he’d love to meet you.” She returned within a minute, closely followed by my coaching hero.
I was a bit shocked and awestruck by his presence. I wasn’t “prepared” for this. What do I say? What will he say? How will I be? A bit nervous and apprehensive, a normal response to such a surprise, we sat down together and all my questions, concerns, and worries dissipated as we began to talk. He was gentle, kind, respectful, caring, interested, loving, trusting, warm, encouraging, genuine, humble, modest, and filled with integrity, all of the essential spiritual qualities of one who coaches with heart. As I left his office following our unexpected 45 minute conversation I was overwhelmed with love and emotion. It was at that precise moment that I understood what extraordinary coaching was all about and why so many have admired this amazing human being. Had he asked me to lick the dust off the basketball court so that the team could practice, I would have done it instantly. With his heart-directed approach I would be sure to go the distance. I was so inspired and empowered during this session by his warmth, caring, and respect that I felt compelled and motivated to write my next book, Coaching with Heart: Tao Wisdom to Inspire, Empower, and Lead.
OPEN MIND, RECEPTIVE HEART
As we begin the journey of coaching with heart together, I want to encourage you to maintain an open mind and heart to new possibilities, directions, and ways to be in this extraordinary profession of coaching. I present in this book a host of suggestions for contemplation, not indoctrination. The Tao Te Ching makes this poignant observation:
To be empty we can be full yet
To be full we stay empty.
Abundance is within
