Roy E. Disney of Walt Disney Co., said, “When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.”

So, if you don’t use your values to make decisions and guide your actions, then why have them? If you do not value your values, no one else will. Your decisions directly influence how you spend your precious resources—time, money, and energy. How you spend your precious resources is a direct reflection of your values. A look at your calendar and your expense budget gives an accurate glimpse into what you value.

Thomas Jefferson said, “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.”

Being an inspiring coach is as much about who you are as it is about what you do. Your character is rooted in  your values, those things that are vital to you and reflect your uniqueness and priorities. Your values, not your circumstances or fleeting feelings, should dictate your decisions and behavior. Your values about people and performance should guide your approach to coaching your team.

John Wooden, former UCLA basketball coach and 10-time national champion, said, “A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.”

Inspiring coaches are crystal clear on their purpose to invest in future leaders. This might look like:

1.      Letting team members shadow you at a meeting, even if others might not think they are quite ready for it.