Find Your Competitive Advantage

In every game since the beginning of time, and even more so when the game is competitive, players are looking to gain an advantage. Actions range from coloring inside the lines by eating better than the opposite side to coloring outside the lines by attempting to get away with actions during the game that are breaking the game's rules.

Character development in sports is experiencing a resurgence. Throughout history, it has been the cornerstone of leadership development, tracing back to the teachings of Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates. In recent decades, coach training has shifted to emphasize competence. Sports organizations have focused mainly on what good coaches do rather than who they are.

High-profile leadership failures in sports have increased interest in understanding character's pivotal role in coaching, as parents, and athlete leadership. This includes character, how it can be developed, and its impact on athletes. Character is now linked to improved performance, well-being, excellence, and flourishing.

The Character Matrix framework I've developed addresses fundamental misconceptions about character. Many people believe that character is solely about morals and ethics, is only a nice-to-have that hinders performance, and is subjective and cannot be developed. However, I've constructed a framework rooted in wisdom that demonstrates character is primarily concerned with decision-making. This is the bedrock of both performance and well-being. Moreover, because a set of attitudes clearly defines it, it can be objectively evaluated and intentionally cultivated.

While people grasp the significance of character and its impact, they lack understanding about how to foster it and measure the progress made in its development. I aim to address this issue for the 45 million U.S. youth who participate in organized sports each year, of whom 40-50% experience some form of abuse throughout their career (ChildHelp. (2012). Blow the Whistle on Child Abuse).

For further details, don't hesitate to contact me. Let's work together to tackle this challenge for the benefit of your athletes and community.