TMR // Player ≠ Coach

We all know the thousands of “business speak-isms” that make us cringe, roll our eyes, and want to throw half a soggy corporate sandwich (RIP Specialties, I will miss your cookies) across the meeting room. You do still remember working from an office and having catered team lunches, right?

Over the years, I’ve grown deaf to most of those “parking lot issues” we’ve “put pins in”, but one that’s still nails on the chalkboard of my brain is, the “player coach”.

Now we all know where this comes from.

We’ve spent years figuring out how to tighten our belts and sharpen our pencils, increasing our utilization while lowering our spend. We’ve watched our agencies, design firms, holding companies and consultancies ask us to do more with less, to dig deep and not be afraid to “get in the trenches” and yea, I get it. It’s hard to make a buck out there. But when you need to build your team for scale, create a collaborative culture and allow for career growth, how exactly, does the “player coach” help?

Lead by example, yes. Inspire thru action, uhm, kinda the same thing. Set the stage for others to grow, absolutely. Provide space for people to learn from failed attempts and encourage them to dust off and try again, damn straight.

Drop the clipboard, suit up and get on the court, demanding the ball and completely confusing the team dynamic by shifting from leader to teammate?

Really? Do I pass to you? Will I get penalized if I don’t? You’re my coach, and also… my point guard?

There’s a reason they’re separate and I believe it has more to do with the success of your team and the culture of your organization than your utilization and profitability reports want you to believe.