She focuses on effort rather than outcome, learning rather than comparison to others. She recognizes that mistakes are an important and inevitable part of learning and encourages an environment in which players are willing to risk making a mistake. She sets standards of continuous learning and improvement for herself and her players. She encourages and inspires her players, whatever their level of mastery, to strive to get better without threatening them. She is committed to becoming the best coach she can be and continually seeks to improve her own effectiveness.
Many coaches are positive when things are going well and the team is winning.
A positive coach works to remain positive even through losing streaks. He recognizes that it is often when things go wrong that a coach can have the most positive impact and teach the most important lessons. Regardless of the adversity involved, he refuses to demean himself or his players by resorting to fear, intimidation or shame. He always treats athletes with respect regardless of how well they perform. She involves team members in determining team rules.