Build the Fire Within

Coach
May 1
1 min read

Why Great Coaches Inspire, Not Intimidate

As coaches, we often talk about “effort” — demanding it, expecting it, sometimes even yelling for it. But the reality is: you can’t demand something that hasn’t been developed.

Bob Nelson said it best:

"You get the best effort from others not by lighting a fire beneath them, but by building a fire within."

That quote isn’t just a clever metaphor — it’s a call to shift our approach to leadership.

The Problem With “Lighting a Fire Beneath”

This old-school coaching style relies on pressure, fear, or punishment. It might get short-term results, but it rarely produces:

Sustainable motivation
Resilient athletes
Lasting relationships

Athletes driven only by external pressure eventually burn out, rebel, or shut down.

What It Means to “Build a Fire Within”

Instead of forcing effort, great coaches fuel belief. They:

🔍 Get to know what drives each player
🗣️ Speak with clarity, not just volume
🎯 Connect individual goals to the team’s mission
🤝 Lead with empathy, not ego

This approach takes more time — but the results are deeper. Players begin to own their development. They play with purpose. They hustle not because they have to, but because they want to.

3 Ways to Start Building That Fire

Ask, don’t assume – Understand what motivates each athlete.
Praise effort, not just outcome – Celebrate the process.
Be the model – Your consistency, energy, and attitude light the match.

Final Thought:

You’re not just shaping a season. You’re shaping people.

So don’t settle for fire beneath.

Build fire within.