In this episode Professor and head of the Lifespan Performance Laboratory at York University, Canada Dr.Joe Baker joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss ‘The Tyranny of Talent’- how it limits and compels athletic achievement…..and why you should largely ignore it.
During the conversation they discuss amongst other things:
- Trying to define talent and our misused application as coaches and parents
- The challenges of Talent Identification
- The ‘label of talent’ and how it can potentially hinder motivation
- The importance of the role of parents in the sporting system
- Optimising talent development environments, putting the person at the centre of our thinking and not treating athletes as commodities
- Prioritising the sporting journey over any potential outcomes
- Undermining the power of sport by having unrealistic expectations
- The limitations of the ‘Nature v Nurture’ debate
- The importance of an individualised approach with each athlete alongside a wider coaching framework
- Thoughts on the development of the youth sporting landscape over the next decade
Dr. Joe Baker is Professor and head of the Lifespan Performance Laboratory at York University, Canada. His research considers the varying influences on optimal human development, ranging from issues affecting athlete development and skill acquisition to barriers and facilitators of optimal ageing. He has worked with a range of teams and organisations around the world at the amateur and professional levels. He has published 12 books, the latest of which is The Tyranny of Talent: How it compels and limits athlete achievement… and why you should ignore it. In addition, he has published over 300 scientific articles, book chapters and commentaries. More info on his research can be found at https://www.yorku.ca/
In this episode Scott Hann and Gordon MacLelland discuss sports parents and the role of clubs and coaches in helping to support parents through their sporting journey.
They discuss the importance of running an effective parental engagement programme and provide some support and advice for organisations, coaches and parents.
During the conversation they discuss amongst other things:
- The challenges of coaching during the lockdown period
- Giving parents a clearly defined role during the sporting journey
- Managing the challenges of puberty
- Having effective communication strategies in place between all stakeholders
- Having an open door policy and complete transparency between organisation, coach and parent
- The importance of using the sporting journey to equip our children with amazing life skills
- Recognising and managing ‘The Chimp’
- Including ‘parental engagement’ as part of coach education
- Having an organisational hierarchy to help support young coaches
You can hear more from Scott in our brand new product ‘Two Hats’ featuring advice, support and encouragement for all parent coaches including 23 interviews across 14 sports from leading figures in the sporting world.
“It is a great privilege to be part of this project alongside so many leading figures from across the sporting world covering such a wide range of sports. It is certainly enlightening seeing so many similarities across sports in terms of coaching your own child as well as some of the uniqueness that each sporting environment can provide.” Harry Redknapp
Order your copy today by clicking here.
