The Power of Storytelling in Coaching

with Geoff Carlston,
Epic Journey Leadership - Founder & Director;
Ohio University Head Volleyball Coach from 2021 to 2025;
2020 Kermit Blosser Ohio Athletics Hall of Fame inductee;
Ohio State University Head Coach from 2008 to 2019;
Back-to-Back-to-Back Sweet 16 appearances (2014-16);
Ohio University Head Volleyball Coach from 2003 to 2007;
5x Consecutive MAC Conference Championships;
4x Mid-American Conference (MAC) Coach of the Year;
2x AVCA Mideast Region Coach of the Year

Coach Geoff Carlston shares an interesting perspective that enabled him to be a successful volleyball coach at the Division I level for many years. He encourages all coaches to be comfortable sharing their own story to promote meaningful relationships with members of their team members. All coaches face tough decisions, and Carlston recommends that you consider your decisions from a "Place of Love" rather than a "Place of Fear". Build lasting trust, connect on a deeper level, and provide teachable moments that will encourage all team members to share their story.

Coach Carlston refers to "The Hero's Journey" as a method for you and your athletes to transform your relationship into something more meaningful than ever before. This "Journey" will encourage athletes to nurture the vision they can't see and have the confidence to be the main character in their story.

Throughout this video, Carlston provides best practices that he has learned through his reflection and years of successful coaching. He explains the "why" behind his belief that if a coach can become a "Master Listener", their athletes in return will:

• Respond with trust
• Feel comfortable being vulnerable
• Find their voice
• Write their story

Through useful examples, Coach Carlston reminds you to look in the mirror and "Dare to Be Different". This strategy takes work, but it will promote growth and improvement and ultimately provide the confidence you need to handle the uncertainty that all coaches and athletes feel on a daily basis.

Coach Carlston's presentation is well-organized and provides many practical resources for coaches at every level to use, whether you are in your first year or a multi-year veteran. He will encourage you to think and work to be a coach of impact, transformation, and build a successful legacy by coaching from a place of love.

48 minutes. 2021.