What is a disadvantage of a coach whose self-esteem is tied solely to wins and losses?

When a coach's self-esteem is solely tied to wins and losses, it can indeed create a dissonance between their public persona and their true self-image. This misalignment emerges because a coach may present a confident, successful façade to their team, supporters, and the public, but internally, they could be struggling with feelings of inadequacy, stress, or disappointment, especially during losing seasons.

This disconnect can lead to issues such as overreacting to losses, which might affect their coaching decisions and interactions with athletes. It can also foster an unhealthy environment where the focus is excessively placed on winning, rather than developing athletes holistically. This contrast between how they want to be viewed and their actual feelings about their performance results in gaps in authenticity and can hinder effective communication and leadership within the team.

This understanding emphasizes the importance of coaches cultivating a more balanced self-esteem that is not solely dependent on the outcome of games, allowing them to be more effective in promoting a positive and supportive team culture.