Peter Kenn is the son of renowned strength coach Joe Kenn. Peter offers valuable lessons for aspiring and current coaches, highlighting the importance of self-reliance, navigating professional relationships, understanding the evolving landscape of the field, and advocating for the profession's future. Keep reading to find out more.
This approach fostered independence and prevented him from being pigeonholed or facing preconceived notions based on his lineage. Peter's story underscores the importance of creating your own identity in the field, regardless of background. A lot of coaches can take from this when working under mentors, or head coaches. Take what you can, but stay true to yourself as a coach.
It’s essential to understand the power dynamics within athletic departments and to appreciate the pressures faced by head coaches, whose jobs often depend on wins and losses. And Peter also highlighted that you need to build rapport with administrative staff, positioning oneself as an ally and problem-solver rather than a source of conflict.
This involves understanding institutional structures and effectively communicating the value of strength and conditioning programs to those who make key decisions. Because those in positions of authority likely do not understand what we do.
Peter also touched upon the complexities of professional certifications and the ongoing debate about the balance between theoretical knowledge and practical coaching experience. As we’ve all found there are real challenges when it comes to balancing new research and modalities with tried-and-true methods.
There are also real challenges of influencing culture, particularly in individual sports, and the importance of open communication between head coaches and strength and conditioning staff.
Peter believes that administrative staff can play a crucial role in mediating these relationships and finding solutions that benefit the entire athletic program. He emphasizes that "culture" is often used imprecisely, and that focusing on concrete values provides a more solid foundation for team dynamics.
Peter highlighted the value of over-communicating with head coaches to avoid surprises and build trust. He also emphasized the importance of communicating effectively with administrative staff, understanding their priorities, and presenting solutions rather than just problems. This ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics is essential for success in the field.
Peter also dove into the financial challenges the profession faces, particularly in light of recent legislative changes, and the need for greater advocacy. Strength coaches need to be more aware of institutional power structures and find ways to become decision-makers to create positive change for the future of the profession. He calls for greater unity and collaboration among strength and conditioning professionals to solidify their role and ensure fair compensation and recognition.
1. Forging Your Own Path: Beyond Lineage
Growing up with a famous father in the same profession didn't guarantee Peter's success. He emphasized the importance of carving his own niche, learning through observation and experience rather than relying solely on his father's name.This approach fostered independence and prevented him from being pigeonholed or facing preconceived notions based on his lineage. Peter's story underscores the importance of creating your own identity in the field, regardless of background. A lot of coaches can take from this when working under mentors, or head coaches. Take what you can, but stay true to yourself as a coach.
2. Building Trust and Navigating Complex Relationships
Peter discussed the importance of building trust with athletes, head coaches, and administrative staff. He stressed the value of transparency and open communication, even when delivering difficult messages.It’s essential to understand the power dynamics within athletic departments and to appreciate the pressures faced by head coaches, whose jobs often depend on wins and losses. And Peter also highlighted that you need to build rapport with administrative staff, positioning oneself as an ally and problem-solver rather than a source of conflict.
This involves understanding institutional structures and effectively communicating the value of strength and conditioning programs to those who make key decisions. Because those in positions of authority likely do not understand what we do.
3. The Ever-Shifting Sands of the Profession
The field of strength and conditioning is in constant flux. Peter discussed the cyclical nature of training trends, the rise of sports science, and the increasing use of technology. He stressed the importance of a solid foundation in basic training principles and periodization, which remain constant amidst changing trends.Peter also touched upon the complexities of professional certifications and the ongoing debate about the balance between theoretical knowledge and practical coaching experience. As we’ve all found there are real challenges when it comes to balancing new research and modalities with tried-and-true methods.
4. Defining Culture: More Than Just a Buzzword
Peter offered a unique perspective on the concept of "culture," suggesting that "values" might be a more appropriate term. He believes that focusing on core values, such as respect, transparency, and commitment, is more meaningful than simply labeling a team's environment as a "culture."There are also real challenges of influencing culture, particularly in individual sports, and the importance of open communication between head coaches and strength and conditioning staff.
Peter believes that administrative staff can play a crucial role in mediating these relationships and finding solutions that benefit the entire athletic program. He emphasizes that "culture" is often used imprecisely, and that focusing on concrete values provides a more solid foundation for team dynamics.
5. The Power of Communication: A Key to Success
Throughout the interview, Peter repeatedly emphasized the importance of communication. From scheduling conflicts to disagreements with coaching methods, he stressed the need for open, honest dialogue.Peter highlighted the value of over-communicating with head coaches to avoid surprises and build trust. He also emphasized the importance of communicating effectively with administrative staff, understanding their priorities, and presenting solutions rather than just problems. This ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics is essential for success in the field.
6. Advocating for the Profession: A Collective Responsibility
Peter's insights extended beyond individual coaching practices to a broader perspective on the profession's future. He stressed the need for strength and conditioning professionals to advocate for their value within institutions and to push professional organizations like the NSCA and CSCCA to do more to elevate the field.Peter also dove into the financial challenges the profession faces, particularly in light of recent legislative changes, and the need for greater advocacy. Strength coaches need to be more aware of institutional power structures and find ways to become decision-makers to create positive change for the future of the profession. He calls for greater unity and collaboration among strength and conditioning professionals to solidify their role and ensure fair compensation and recognition.
