Plato on Coaching

“A good mind, by being in a state of excellence, allows a body to maximise its potential for physical goodness.”

Plato, The Republic.

Written in the 370s BC, Plato’s treatise is wide ranging and the subject of much debate. Many of the points of the human condition remain true.

Plato talks about morality and believes that sound morality (or goodness) will lead to a better and more fulfilled life, which then contributes to a better society.

One of the key tenets is that leaders have a duty of care to the people they serve. In today’s age of internet gurus and “quick fix” coaches trying to make a fast buck out of the gullible and vulnerable, it resonated with me when I read this

“no one in any kind of authority either in his capacity as ruler, considers or enjoins his own advantage, but the advantage of his subject, the person for whom he practises his expertise. Everything he says and everything he does is said and done with this aim in mind and with regard to what is advantageous and appropriate for this person.“

The motto of RMA Sandhurst when I was there was “Serve to Lead” and was drummed into the Officer cadets repeatedly: we had to look after the men.

I guess this has carried over into my coaching: I am there to help get the most out of the athletes, rather than further my own needs.

(Thanks to Rob Frost for lending me the book).