Coaching and Leadership in the Boxing Gym

I haven’t punched anyone or anything since I was nine years old. And I apologized to my brother, as the full extension of my first into his nose truly was an accident. So imagine my surprise when I discovered just recently that I love boxing.

Not the kind where you hit and get hit; that scares me. No – I love the boxing you do in a one hour circuit training workout that involves various kinds of cardio torture followed by three minute rounds with the bags. Speed bags, uppercut bags, heavy bags, big brown bags – I love them all.

The first time I walked in the boxing gym my fear was twofold. I was out of shape and I didn’t know jack about boxing. Last week my coach told me that my skills were really improving and that I should consider sparring in the ring. Wow! I declined citing my lack of passion for getting hit in the face, yet I couldn’t help but notice that the rest of my workout was way more focused. I kinda felt like a boxer!

As I evaluated my progression from klutz to Championship Belt (ok – a little over the top) I recognized the brilliance of my trainer. Her methodology is a terrific lesson in coaching. She explained the reason for a technique, demonstrated the technique, waited until I got that one down before introducing another, and encouraged me from class to class.

But what was really impressive to me was her lesson in leadership. When she suggested that I spar, she made the next step accessible to me by making it possible in my imagination. When she stepped forward and asked me to follow, she led me to the confidence I needed to elevate my game. Because of her encouragement and skillful guidance, I now work a lot harder every time I am in the gym.

In a nutshell, the coaching steps were explain, demonstrate, correct, add more, and encourage. The leadership was an invitation.