COACH'S VIEWS

My memory is filled with sports & business. It is safe to say that 95% of everything I can ever remember is related to the sports I played and the jobs I had. Sports memories include games, practices, neighborhood games, and things like throwing a ball with my Dad. Work memories include meetings, presentations, projects, and travel alone or best yet, with my team. Not surprisingly when I look at my contacts they are filled with people from sports and work.

So what? Many people can say that too. The question that comes to my mind then is what is the most important thing I have learned from sports that equates to being better at business? Even better, how can that be used to help others? It is not difficult to find people talking about the merits of athletics in business. Such as Communication, Teamwork, Goals (see February 2021 COACH’S VIEWS), and Personal Development. The one I keep coming back to is Confidence.

For me confidence is the characteristic that is most difficult to develop, maintain, and define. I am often reminded of this when working with clients at ActionCOACH. The more I contemplate this topic the more I realize that I have been engaged in confidence building my entire life.

So, with that in mind I engaged my friends that are small business owners that I have competed with or coached with in fastpitch softball. Each of these individuals has committed to both sports and business with success. I wanted to hear their thoughts on confidence in sports and business, then test this against the ActionCOACH lessons and applications.

For this group I had just 3 key questions, what follows is their opinions as well as my own with an understand of how ActionCOACH is aligned.

This was a lot of fun connecting with each of them and I am grateful for their participation. I strongly encourage you to see how their comments, or their businesses could benefit you. 

Here are some details about our contributors.

Tory Acheson, Fastpitch Prep https://fastpitchprep.com/

Sports Background: College coach of Softball and Basketball, Wisconsin Parkside, Kennesaw State, AP Gold

Business: Fastpitch Prep - Owner

How I Know Him: I first saw him at a softball camp for my daughter. He blew me away with his speech to “Be Noticed!”. Luckily for us he ended up doing softball instruction for my older daughter and is part of the resurgence of the AP Gold Travel Softball program where I coach.

Why I respect his opinion: Tory has coached and mentored athletes at the highest levels in their careers. He has learned to change (his career) and his mindset and his approach to communication and development.

Claudia Cooper, Cooper’s Catching Corner https://www.facebook.com/CoopersCatchingCorner/

Sports Background: Played softball at NC State

Business: Cooper’s Catching Corner - Owner

How I Know Her: Long time hitting and catching instructor for my daughter’s. Coached against her and happy she moved her travel team to the AP program.

Why I respect her opinion: Claudia played college softball in a power 5 program and then started her own business at a young age that fits her passion. She is the first instructor that I saw that created her own brand.

Eric Horstman, Sports Image, Flyin’ to the Hoop, Backyard Blitz, http://sportsimageinc.com/

Sports Background: Physical Fitness Nut, Men’s Amateur Baseball

Business: Sports Image LLC, Flyin’ to the Hoop Basketball Invitational, Backyard Blitz, FTTH Top Gun Showcase - Owner

How I Know Him: Baseball, Fitness, and long time collaborator on careers and small business.

Why I respect his opinion: He started his business before he was 30 and developed a differentiated approach to marketing that supports amateur sports. Eric took his engineering degree and dove into the world of marketing and entrepreneurship. Along the way he developed a nationally known basketball showcase that brings in the who’s who of basketball coaches in the middle of their seasons.

Steven Locke, Armor Home Inspection, armorhomeinspection.atl@gmail.com

Sports Background: College Basketball, High School Baseball, Golfer

Business: Armor Home Inspections

How I know Him: Head coach AP Gold Lock where I also coach

Why I respect his opinion: I have watched him for 5 years develop elite athletes, EVERY ONE of his players will be playing softball in college. Our styles are different, and I have seen firsthand how his approach builds a team based upon optimism and confidence.

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