John Kessel on Joy, Guided Discovery, and ‘Hell in the Hallway’
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.
John Kessel joins Paul for a wide-ranging conversation on coaching as “relationship counseling” between athletes and their love of the game, and how his philosophy evolved from telling players what to do to guided discovery that makes athletes solve problems and retain learning. He argues for small-sided play, “grills not drills,” training in reality, and teaching athletes to make “good mistakes” that transfer to competition. Kessel shares lessons from motor learning research, perception-action coupling, and the importance of curiosity, joy, and creating environments athletes want to return to. He reflects on supporting his son Cody after being the last cut for the US Olympic squad, the value of “yet,” and the idea that growth is about pursuing “-er” rather than “-est.” The episode closes with Kessel’s quote: “When life opens one door, it closes another, but it’s hell in the hallway,” and discussion of future interviews and volleyball leaders.
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