Etiquette Prep

I’m flying to Japan tomorrow for a few days and it’s time to catch up on proper business and social etiquette.

it’s been nearly 15 years since I’ve visited Japan, and I’m nervously reviewing all the hidden and not-so hidden rituals that are critical to leaving a good impression. The last thing I want to be is disrespectful, on behalf of my organization and of course myself.

It occurred to me, as I refreshed on proper bowing, business card presentations, dinner and drinking rituals, that there are similar rituals to finding a new coach.

When done properly, the ritual to cementing a new partnership should make clear the athlete and coach have mutual respect for each other. The athlete understands the coach’s area of expertise and (hopefully) extensive experience, not to mention their valuable time. The coach respects the athlete’s journey and views them as a peer, not a subordinate.

When either side of this ritualistic sizing-up of the other person does not occur with mutual respect, a disconnect occurs. The relationship is subtly harmed from the onset. It sounds dramatic, but is it really so? If coaching is a relationship, not an activity, how can an effective relationship begin properly when neither the athlete nor coach have properly “bowed” to each other?