How Being Positive Can Supercharge Performance

From my memories of being a high school athlete, two coaches stand out. The first was technically sound. He knew the sport well, but his people skills were somewhere south of zero. When recalling his leadership style, the word “tyrant” comes to mind.

The second coach was a novice with the sport, and quick to admit it. He was also very tough-minded and big on discipline. After all, earlier in his career he was a Marine drill instructor. But tough though he was, this second coach was kind, respect...