Ep.6 What the Olympics Taught me About Building Team Culture. Bjorn Kinding, Olympic Coach, Prep Camp Mentor Coach.

Summary

Bjorn Kinding, Prep Camp guest and mentor coach, has coaches professional hockey since 1979, led 4 countries' National Teams including Japan in the '98 Nagano Olympics. We are proud to call him our friend, and many of you experienced his coaching in weeks 2 and 3 of Prep Camp 2025! You will get a chance to meet him again in 2026.

In this conversation, Bjorn Kinding and Nate Leslie explore the fundamental principle of coaching, emphasizing the importance of starting with the individual rather than the task at hand. They discuss how this approach applies not only in sports like hockey but also in various fields such as education and leadership. The dialogue highlights the human element in coaching and the value of personal connections in fostering growth and development.

*This episode was originally recorded for the Leading with Curiosity Podcast by Camp Executive Director, Nate Leslie

Keywords

coaching, human element, personal development, leadership, hockey, education, teamwork, communication, mentorship, personal growth

Takeaways

In hockey, coaching is about people, not just the game.

Starting with the person is essential in any field.

Every individual has unique strengths to offer.

The human element is crucial in effective coaching.

Leadership should focus on understanding individuals.

Mentorship is about building personal connections.

Coaching principles apply beyond sports.

The task is secondary to the individual.

Effective communication is key in coaching.

Personal development is at the heart of coaching.

Titles

The Human Element in Coaching

Beyond the Puck: Coaching People

Sound bites

"Every person brings so much good."

"You coach people, not just hockey."

"Start with the person, not the task."

Chapters

00:00 Coaching Journey and Cultural Insights

00:21 Balancing Team and Individual Goals

35:38 Prep Camp Outro.mp4