Why Showing Up Still Matters

As you know from last week’s newsletter, I had the privilege of attending the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Convention in Iowa City for 3 days last week. I spent time learning from passionate coaches and leaders from across the country and had the opportunity to present on the Iowa Girls Coaches Association Mentoring Program.

One thing stood out to me throughout the week: the sessions were outstanding, but attendance was much lower than I expected. My breakout session on mentoring had just two people in the audience.

At first, I found myself wondering why…

Definitely one reason is that today, we have more access to information than ever before. We can watch clinics on YouTube, listen to podcasts while driving, join webinars from home, read articles with a click, or even ask AI for ideas. Technology has made learning easier and more convenient than at any point in history, and that's a wonderful thing. COVID also changed the way many of us learn, making virtual meetings and online resources a regular part of our professional lives.

But I also wonder if we've unintentionally lost some of the value of learning with people instead of simply learning from a screen.

Ironically, some of the best moments of the convention didn't happen during the presentations. They happened in the hallway between sessions, over lunch, and in conversations with coaches from different parts of the country. We exchanged ideas, shared stories, asked questions, and learned from one another's experiences. Those moments couldn't have happened through a phone or a computer.

Whether you're a coach, teacher, leader, parent, or business professional, I hope you'll continue to look for opportunities to show up-attend the conference-have the conversation-put the phone away for a while-ask questions-share your experiences-listen to someone else's ideas

We all know that information is everywhere.

But relationships, perspective, and meaningful conversations are still best experienced face-to-face. It's in those moments that we pick up on someone's passion, hear the emotion behind their story, ask the follow-up question that wasn't planned, or make a connection that lasts long after the event is over. Those conversations challenge our thinking, broaden our perspective, and often inspire us to try something new when we get back home.

In a world where it's easy to stay connected digitally, let's not forget the value of connecting personally. The people sitting next to us may have the one idea, one story, or one conversation that changes the way we lead, coach, teach, parent, or simply live our lives.

In my two years of building the IGCA’s mentoring program, a key focus has been that mentorship is built on relationships, not resources. That connects well to what I witnessed first hand at the convention. I certainly am not trying to criticize technology—I definitely acknowledges its benefits but want to remind you that human connection is still irreplaceable…

Sometimes the greatest lesson isn't found in the presentation.

It's found in the person sitting next to you.

Have a great week!

Coach K