so i recently moved, and have now gotten a part time job at the sports performance center in the area. anyway, without going into too much details, they are looking to put me in charge of the speed/agility/quickness training and they have another guy running the weight room.
to make a long story short, i do not agree with the way he is training our athletes in the weight room. it's a lot of single joint machine exercises, and frankly just sends the athletes to workout on their own with little supervision or encouragement.
i guess i'm lookin for some input from others. ever run into a situation where you don't agree with the way things are run? do i just bite my lip since i'm the new guy? how would you handle this situation?
I agree with mpipes. Start some discussion with him about what you're doing and why. Show a sincere interest in what he is doing and find out what the logic is behind what he is doing. If he can't really show you, to save face he may look to you for some advice, and you can graciously provide it, even letting him take the credit for it. You will win a new friend, he will rise to the occasion and become a better trainer, and you will help your athletes.
and that's exactly what i have done. don't get me wrong, some of the stuff he does i do agree with, but the majority i don't. the first couple of days i was constantly asking questions trying to get a feel for why he is doing certain things, but when it comes down to it, i feel that he is just doing these things to get them done. i don't truly believe he is trying to get the most from these athletes, and i think that is what bugs me the most.
the hardest part about all of this is the guy has a very close relationship with our boss, and has been with him for many years. i am just trying not to come off as the new guy who wants to change things, or thinks he knows it all. i know i don't know it all, but i know what they are doing could be a helluva lot better.
Having a study where individuals training free weights rather than machines, or a study where individuals doing compound movements rather than wasting time with too many isolations, showed more progress, would be a way to go, but as far as how to be sincere, I should take my own advice and read an inspirational book like the new best seller The Shack. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
It sounds like its a case of complacency on his part. He is comfortable in his position and eliciting just "satisfactory" results from the athletes. Seems like the type of guy that comes in and does "just enough" and collects his paycheck. Man, come performance review time, this guy would get a talking from me.
And as you say, if he is "in good" with the boss, I don't see anything changing unless you really step it up and show him AND prove to him, that you said methods are better.
I suggest you ask to split your athletes in 2 groups. You ask to be in charge of one and he is in charge of the other. Convince him it is time effecient, and better for teh athletes to be sin smaller groups (2:1).
Then, use YOUR training tactics and show him that your group has progressed alot faster and stronger than his. This may open him up to your philosohy and vigor. If not, get in good with the boss, or work on your resume.
Ask the athletes what they think of their training. Do they feel like it's working for them? Are they making acceptable progress?
If the other coach's training is at par, at some point it's going to rear its ugly head in a stall in progress, imbalances that will affect performance, or even injuries. Maybe some of the athletes already have some of these issues.
Any rate...
It's a coaching/training TEAM. That means everyone works together, everyone adds their input, everyone discusses it. If it's a situation where you feel you can't contribute, or you feel it will be ignored because you're the new guy, you need to move on. New ideas and methods are what it's all about and any coach or business owner should at least be open to them. However, you need to make that attempt to bring new ideas in first because they might actually really like what you have to say, or at least they'll appreciate the fact that you're confident enough in your own skills to bring ideas to them, even if they don't implement them.
Ask the athletes what they think of their training. Do they feel like it's working for them? Are they making acceptable progress?
If the other coach's training is at par, at some point it's going to rear its ugly head in a stall in progress, imbalances that will affect performance, or even injuries. Maybe some of the athletes already have some of these issues.
Any rate...
It's a coaching/training TEAM. That means everyone works together, everyone adds their input, everyone discusses it. If it's a situation where you feel you can't contribute, or you feel it will be ignored because you're the new guy, you need to move on. New ideas and methods are what it's all about and any coach or business owner should at least be open to them. However, you need to make that attempt to bring new ideas in first because they might actually really like what you have to say, or at least they'll appreciate the fact that you're confident enough in your own skills to bring ideas to them, even if they don't implement them.
In all due respect...I think bringing the athletes "into" it would be a mistake. Adolescents will get a "kick" of the competition between trainers and will "force" the tension between staff. This will not work for you and in the end, will cause the boss to make an ultimatum.
No kid will be quiet if there's an issue between coaches philosophies. They will talk in the lockerooms, school, on the way home, or whatever. Even if there is no cause for tension, bringing them into the mix, may cause tension.
Be professional, stand your ground and seek out your chance to shine.
In my opinion, the best way to "shine" is to be best at what you do and WHO you are working with personally. There is no need to "prove yourself" if you do a better job. Once people see how YOU train your athletes then the athletes themselves will require a different approach or you will be sough after for your advice. Leading by results and example is less ego driven and will keep you out of undesirable work situations.
On a different note, you could always talk to your boss and give him your idea of how things should be done without bashing the other guy. You will never "shine long term" exposing the weaknesses of other trainers. Be the best you can be, the rest is not up to you.
In all due respect...I think bringing the athletes "into" it would be a mistake. Adolescents will get a "kick" of the competition between trainers and will "force" the tension between staff. This will not work for you and in the end, will cause the boss to make an ultimatum.
No kid will be quiet if there's an issue between coaches philosophies. They will talk in the lockerooms, school, on the way home, or whatever. Even if there is no cause for tension, bringing them into the mix, may cause tension.
Be professional, stand your ground and seek out your chance to shine.
I don't see anything wrong with asking a trainee "How's your program working for you? Do you feel you have any sticking points you'd like to focus some extra attention on?" Nothing in there about what they think of some other coach's program. Some issues will be evident in watching them train but some won't, hopefully they are giving some individualized attention instead of a one size fits all program.
I didn't see anything in the OP specifically mentioning adolescents, it couldn't be adult sports leagues?
not agreeing with co-workers.
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