“For what does it benefit someone to gain the whole world and yet lose his life?
What can anyone give in exchange for his life?”
– Mark 8:36-37

Values are essential to effective leadership. Here’s a simple definition: “Values are norms or principles which guide our interactions and convictions.” They are motivational, giving us the reason why we do things; and they are restrictive, acting as guardrails for decisions and behaviors. Values are those things we deem important that provide direction and guidance despite our emotions. As a coach, you are striving to build these norms or principles in your athletes. Showing values to your athletes as you coach depends a lot on your awareness and ability to live out core values in “your” daily life. Sports involvement, and “your” impact as a coach, will impart a set of values on your athletes. Since sports can have all sorts of stress points, our values will be made visible.

It would be wise to have your values worked through and agreed upon at the very start before stress points make them visible. Research shows that the general sports experience tends to build performance character but also erodes moral character. This is because the sports world honors winners. It values winning. It values results over process. This is a great danger in all things competitive—sports, business, and even politics. When we greatly desire the outcome of something and aren’t focused on who we are or what we do to get there, we can easily forget the process and only focus on the outcome. Thankfully, we have a great example in Jesus that we can follow. When we focus on Jesus and His teachings, we have an example to follow that reminds us that the process is the outcome in the making. When the result we are striving for is used as justification for means we know God would not endorse, we are in danger of forfeiting our soul. As you compete today, remember that Jesus is the ultimate example to follow.

(Taken from 360 Coach – A Biblical Approach to Coaching the Heart, Mind, and Body)

Lord, thank You for my role as Your ambassador. Help me to value the things most valuable in Your Kingdom. Guide me as I focus on the process of what I am becoming and what I am helping my players to become. Train me to keep winning in its proper place. Train me to keep my competitive spirit submitted to Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.