Attributes of Success and Effective Communication
Central to Turner's success is effective communication. He shares, "Effective communication involves helping everyone understand our core values, providing clear instruction on plays, both offensive and defensive, and inspiring the team to believe in something greater than any one individual." Coaching hinges on connecting with players and staff, imparting core values, and fostering unity. His unique talent lies in uniting individuals from diverse backgrounds towards a shared goal, showcasing the power of relatability in various situations. Whether you work as a coach or a marketing manager, the act of building trust through honesty and transparency is crucial in bringing people together. Trust is a linchpin for Turner, and it's nurtured through honesty and transparency in communication. He emphasizes, "I am a straight shooter who believes in leveling with people and getting ahead of situations before problems arise." Whether interacting with players, staff, or administrators, his candid approach cultivates trust by ensuring everyone is on the same page. This unwavering honesty creates a foundation of trust that stands as a testament to his success.

Defining Fulfillment and Guiding the Next Generation

Coach Turner says he gets fulfillment from the impact he's had on players, guiding their journeys on and off the court. He acknowledges that coaching transcends Xs and Os, encompassing mentoring, relationship-building, and navigating the multifaceted sports landscape. He emphasizes, "The most fulfilling part of being a coach is witnessing the impact I’ve had on others."

Turner's philosophy is influenced by his experience at Nike and USAB, where professionalism and effective representation shape his approach. Trusting oneself is key when transitioning from assistant coach to head coach, embracing failures as stepping stones to success. He advises, "You’ll never really feel like you’re 100% ready to succeed as a head coach." From Coach Turner's perspective, those stepping into this field should be aware that coaching makes up merely 10-20% of the role. The remaining 80-90% encompasses mentoring, recruitment, relationship building, networking, fundraising, administrative tasks, marketing, branding, navigating politics, and more.

A Valuable Insight: Authenticity and Mentorship
Coach Turner's advice to young individuals is to "respect the process" and exercise patience while they learn and grow. Opportunities may not arise on our preferred timeline, but understanding that there's a bigger process unfolding is crucial. To practice patience and respect for the process, one must first position themselves to experience it. Engage in meaningful conversations, remain observant, inquire, express genuine interest, and allow others to understand your aspirations. Remember, the sports industry thrives on relationships, and you never know who might hold the power to propel your journey. Once progress is made, it's our responsibility to lift those who follow us, as in the future, their paths may intersect with our own success in unforeseen ways.

📣 Effective Communication: Expressing yourself clearly encourages understanding while minimizing confusion. A transparent message will resonate with others, forge connections, and ignite powerful conversations.

📣 Foster Your Self-Identity: Constructing core values builds a sturdy foundation. Embrace self-assuredness and self-respect and disregard negativity. Direct your attention towards yourself and not what others think of you.

📣 The Cornerstone Is Building Trust: Show authenticity, practice transparency, and honor your commitments. Trust stems from reliability. Strive to be the team member you'd want to have by your side.

Stay Tuned: This Week in Sports

UEFA Champions League Group Stage: September 19 - December 13

Manchester City aims to defend their UEFA Champions League title against contenders like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich, as well as Premier League rivals, with live streaming on TNT Sports and Discovery+.

NFL Kickoff Weekend: - September 7 - September 11

The NFL season begins with a Thursday Night Football clash between the reigning champions Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions. The rest of the league starts on September 10th. The Bills face the Jets on Monday Night Football on September 11th.

NWSL Challenge Cup Final: September 9

The 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup final is set for September 9 after the September 6 semifinals. OL Reign, Racing Louisville FC, Kansas City Current, and NC Courage are the semifinalists. This will be the first-ever million-dollar prize pool in U.S. women’s soccer history.