Becoming a Coach of Influence: Leading from the Heart

There’s a difference between knowing the game and knowing your players.

At 44 Sports Connect, we believe coaching isn’t just about drawing up plays or calling the right formation. It’s about becoming a person of influence — someone who leads with both knowledge and heart.

Recently, while diving into Becoming a Person of Influence by John Maxwell and Jim Dornan, a particular chapter jumped out: Connect with People. One principle from that chapter hit home hard — Communicate from the Heart.

The book tells the story of a young man with a fresh psychology degree, delivering a passionate 40-minute speech to a group of senior citizens on "how to live your twilight years gracefully." After the speech, an 80-year-old woman walked up to him and said, “Your vocabulary and pronunciation were excellent. But I must tell you something you'll understand as you get older — you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

That’s humility in action. That’s wisdom.And that’s a powerful reminder to every coach: Your knowledge means little if it’s not backed by humility and heart.

Coaches: Lead Like William Wallace

Remember William Wallace in Braveheart? He didn’t just lead from the front — he led from the heart. His men followed him because they knew he cared deeply about them and the mission. Coaches have the same opportunity.

Your players can tell the difference between a coach who cares and one who just talks.And here's the truth: it looks different for every player.

Some athletes need tough love.Others just need encouragement.Some need a listening ear.Others need a fire lit under them.

There is no one-size-fits-all in coaching.That’s why connection takes work. But when you take the time to understand your players, to really know them — they’ll never forget you.

A Coach Who Connects Leaves a Legacy

Being a coach is a high calling. It’s not just about wins and stats — it’s about shaping lives. You have the power to influence not just how someone plays, but how they live, how they grow, and who they become.

Be the coach who listens.Be the coach who understands.Be the coach who connects.

Because when you lead from the heart, you’re not just building better athletes — you’re building better people.

At 44 Sports Connect LLC, we help coaches become leaders of influence — on and off the field. Let’s raise up a generation of coaches who care deeply, lead boldly, and leave a legacy that lasts.