Ordinary people do extraordinary things when the conditions allow. At the heart of this idea is ownership and accountability. The situation you find yourself in has to happen for you, not to you.
This week, I found an old whiteboard sheet while clearing out the attic, and rather than throwing it away, I decided to keep it. It’s taken from the book The Oz Principle. And if you know the story of the Wizard of Oz, you will know Dorothy and her companions find the answers to their challenges, not in their journey, but within themselves.
After listening to a podcast by a pal of mine, Russell Earnshaw, over the weekend, who uses: See it, Share it, and Solve it. I thought I’d have a go at adapting the four principles of See it, Own it, Solve it, and Do it to coaching youth sport.
See It – What are we seeing? Not what we hope to see, or want to see, but what is actually happening. Do we have a shared vision, or are we all on different pages?
Share It – Encourage open communication about challenges, feelings, or problems. This is much more developmentally appropriate than expecting kids to fully “own” responsibility the way adults might. Sharing creates psychological safety and builds trust.
Solve It – Guide them through problem-solving rather than just giving answers. Ask questions like “What could you try differently next time?” or “What would help you succeed here?”
Do It – Support them in taking action on their solutions, providing encouragement and accountability appropriate for their age.
The take-home message is this: Courage, heart, and wisdom are available to all.