I’ve recently discovered the difference between pressure and stress.
1. Pressure
Primarily positive, pressure exists during situations in which we hope for the best possible outcome. I want to succeed in a new role and I want the people with whom I’ve surrounded myself to succeed because the success of the players, the program, and our place within our community depends on it. Usually when I describe these elements someone will chuckle and say something totally hilarious like “no pressure!” As though it’s a bad thing. It’s not. Pressure is a privilege. We feel pressure when we’re empowered to make decisions that affect our future on a daily basis.
2. Stress
The reason I discovered my new-found appreciation for pressure wasn’t because I smugly proclaimed I LOVE PRESSURE, it was because I discovered what it isn’t. It’s not stress. Stress hits me when I feel out of control. I realize there are things I don’t control, but that’s easier to type on a relaxed afternoon in the off-season than it is on busy morning before a game-day skate when a player is asking for a new stick and the marketing person wants to talk about sponsorship and someone else can’t figure out how to set up their email address. This is stress, and it usually nestles in following a failure of preparation. (I am currently in the middle of four separate conversations with people who can’t figure out their new email addresses).
What’s Important To Your Operation?
I want people around me to feel empowered to do their jobs to the best of their abilities. I’ve surrounded myself with a lot of intelligent, progressive, highly-competent human beings. I want them to feel the pressure to do a good job in building a junior hockey program from scratch that might one day become a destination program north and south of the border. For most people, it’s easier to work at your specific field if you’re free of stress. It’s the same for hockey players. We’re all better when our minds are free, focused, and confident.
A gigantic chunk of that confidence comes from laying out the foundation with purpose. Hiring good people and setting them loose in their department is easy. I believe leadership ought to go a step further.
The result of this process will hopefully contribute to a positive, safe, and challenging environment for our players and our staff on and off the ice. It can for you too . . . SEE MORE OF THE COACHES SITE Join The Coaches Site to access the latest drills, tactics & leadership lessons from hockey's top coaches. Already a member? Login
Kelvin Cech
Steady contributor in multiple roles over the years at The Coaches Site, current General Manager and Head Coach of the MJHL Niverville Nighthawks, former Assistant Coach with the UBC Thunderbirds Men's Hockey team.
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