Confidence to Develop leadership skills by Mike Jacobs

In a recent conversation with a soccer coach at a youth soccer academy, he referenced how important it was to teach players how to be problem-solvers. Where the concept of being a 'problem-solver' is referenced a lot at various levels of coaching soccer, it really applies to all facets of your life. The ability to make choices is the difference between being successful and a failure, both in sport and in life.

I'm amazed at the varied degree of problem solvers I see on the soccer field, and the reality is that your best players are the best decision makers and problem solvers on the field. Whether it is choosing whether to dribble or to pass, to pass or to shoot, or to press or get back deeper on defense, you have to be able to make the right choices.

It is also interesting to relate the best decision-makers on the field to the best problem solvers off the field. In most cases, you tend to find a parallel between the two. I think 9 out of 10 times, the ability to solve problems on the field is fostered by parents who encourage their children to make decisions and choices off the field, too.

There was a great article posted recently on All Pro Dad that was titled '10 Ways to Teach your Children to be Problem Solvers'. Their 10 items are summed up as:

Well, that's always a great way to get you to come back next week and find out what the 10 Ways will be….come back and find out..