Coaches Rules for Life

Patrick Mouratoglou, a french tennis coach who is best known to coach Serena Williams since june 2012. He has meticulously trained over 40 players who have broken into top 100 world ranking in this sport. As I am sharing my learnings from the netflix series The Playbook, let’s look into how tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou turns every situation into a positive one with his spontaneous skills and thoughtful approach. 

#Turn your greatest weakness into your greatest strength

Patrick Mouratoglou is a shy personality, who did not find himself being comfortable interacting with people. But guess what? He turned his weakness of being under confident into being more observant of the people around him and later implemented this in observing his young students while correcting them for their body postures and other specifications. This is something we all can execute, every individual is aware of their weaknesses but it's just the matter of how we turn them into our unprecedented strength. For example, if you don’t have a group of friends or you find it difficult to make friends, you can use it as your biggest strength and indulge yourself in learning new skills or start enjoying your own company which enlightens you in so many different ways.

#Never be afraid to get fired

Patrick Mouratoglou recalls his time when he first started coaching Serena Williams, he had to prove himself to gain her respect and trust. According to him, when a coach is afraid of getting fired, they will tell the player what they want to hear. But he was confident of his approach because he believed it to be the right one.

Similarly in our professional lives, it is always better to be direct about your feelings and opinions. Occasionally, it becomes necessary to embrace uncertainty and assert your freedom to pursue the actions you believe are right. When faced with tasks that may not align with the preferences of those around you, there is a potential for backlash and apprehension about potential outcomes. Overcoming these fears is essential in order to fulfill one's responsibilities.

#Mistakes are inevitable but don’t let them define you

Patrick Mouratoglou shared, “Failure and frustration are two of the best things that can happen to you if you handle them the right way. And then you are going to learn. You learn by making mistakes. Of course, it’s very difficult but that’s not what defines you.” Facing criticism and judgment is inevitable when making mistakes, especially when in a prominent position where scrutiny is heightened. This challenge is amplified for those at the top, as there is little room for error. Occasional lapses in judgment should be viewed as isolated incidents, emphasizing the importance of not letting such moments define one's overall character amidst adversity. At last we need to remember that failures and mistakes happen, we don’t need to take them personally.

#Emotions are the worst advisors

Patrick Mouratoglou has quoted that, “A good coach doesn’t break ties, and lashing out at players is not good.” We all have heard the phrase, “Don’t take any decision, either good or bad, when you are not emotionally stable.” This is indeed true because having emotions is not a problem, but allowing them to make your decisions can sometimes land you into trouble. Your actions carry consequences, and facing the repercussions of mistakes is inevitable. Through these experiences, valuable lessons can be learned, fostering personal growth. When making decisions, detach from temporary emotions as they may change, but the decisions may not always be reversible.

#Let them know they are not alone

Patrick shared, “ I look for people who have strong self-belief and who don’t give up. I want players who think they are going to be better than anyone else but also know that they are part of a team. The relationship is everything.” Your actions carry consequences, and facing the repercussions of mistakes is inevitable. Through these experiences, valuable lessons can be learned, fostering personal growth. When making decisions, detach from temporary emotions as they may change, but the decisions may not always be reversible.

#A lie can become their truth

Patrick shared, “Even the most ambitious player on the planet can have doubts which can affect the way they think. When you don’t think like a champion, you don’t act like a champion and you don’t win like a champion.”

As a coach and leader, it's your duty to ensure your team members are mentally prepared when it's crucial. Occasionally, individuals may lack confidence and clarity. Providing support to boost their confidence and uplift their spirits is essential in helping them overcome challenges.

The ability to make every situation in your favor is the biggest thing anyone can learn. However, most people learn this with plenty of situational experience and presence of mind. It's the art of keeping evolving through the challenges and circumstances life puts us in.