Contacts Episode #179: Ed Buford

Welcome to this edition of the "The Coaching Journey," a newsletter dedicated to sharing insights and advice from experienced coaches. In this episode, we bring you the best teachable moments and valuable insights from our interview with Ed Buford, Director of Athletics at Arsenal Tech High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. In this interview, Ed shares his experiences and strategies in managing relationships, building successful programs, and fostering a supportive community.

10 Key Insights from Ed Buford -

• Relationship Management through Individual Conversations: Ed emphasizes the importance of individual conversations in managing relationships with students, coaches, and administrators. By making an effort to be present in each building of the campus multiple times a week, he creates opportunities for people to approach him with any concerns or ideas. For example, by being in the cafeteria every day, Ed is accessible to both students and adults, facilitating open conversations and strengthening community bonds.

• Being Present and Accessible: Ed's preference for being out of his office and engaging in conversations demonstrates the value of being present and accessible to the community. He believes that being physically present is the key to inviting people to engage and collaborate. By actively participating in bus duty and lunch duty, Ed shows his commitment to connecting with students, coaches, teachers, and administrators, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment.

• Embracing Change and Inclusion: Ed encourages long-time programs to embrace all that the school has to offer and to be open to new ideas and partnerships. By actively supporting community outreach programs, such as fundraisers, he promotes collaboration and unity among different groups. For instance, when approached by a community organization interested in partnering with the football team, Ed facilitated conversations between interested coaches, fostering inclusivity and showcasing the benefits of teamwork.

• Building a Supportive Environment: Ed emphasizes the importance of one-on-one conversations to communicate the vision and objectives of a program. By sharing the desired outcome and explaining the program's goals, coaches and administrators can better understand and contribute to the overall vision. Ed's example of facilitating conversations between coaches interested in a particular fundraiser demonstrates his approach to fostering a supportive and collaborative environment.

• Leading with Presence: Ed's leadership style involves actively engaging with others and enjoying conversations. This approach allows him to build relationships, gather feedback, and stay connected with the community. His willingness to spend time in different settings, such as the gym, encourages people to approach him and share their thoughts, resulting in improved communication and a stronger sense of community.

• Overcoming Challenges with Resilience: Throughout his career, Ed has experienced bumps and bruises along the journey. His resilience and determination have helped him overcome challenges and grow both as a coach and as an administrator. Despite the obstacles, he perseveres and continues to make a positive impact on the school and community.

• Adapting to Different Environments: Ed's experiences working in different buildings within his campus highlight the importance of adapting to different environments. By making an effort to visit each building multiple times a week, he demonstrates his willingness to understand the unique needs and challenges of each area. This adaptability allows for better support and stronger relationships with individuals across the campus.

• Creating a Sense of Belonging: Ed's approach of being physically present and accessible contributes to a sense of belonging among students, coaches, teachers, and administrators. By being approachable and open to conversations, he fosters an inclusive and supportive culture where everyone feels valued and heard.

• Leading by Example: Ed's willingness to brave the elements and be present in challenging weather conditions shows his dedication and leadership by example. Despite the cold temperatures and snow, he remains committed to his role and inspires others through his actions.

• Collaboration for Success: Ed's ability to facilitate collaboration between different groups, such as community organizations and sports teams, demonstrates the power of collaboration in achieving success. Through open communication and coordination, he enables diverse groups to work together towards common goals, creating a stronger and more impactful community.

In this interview, Ed Buford shares his insights and strategies on relationship management, building successful programs, and fostering community in the school environment. Through individual conversations, active presence, embracing change, and promoting collaboration, Ed creates a supportive and inclusive culture within Arsenal Tech High School. His leadership style, resilience, and dedication to leading by example inspire others and contribute to the overall success of the school community.

Listen to his episode here

Watch his episode here: You Tube

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Best regards, Justin Clymo

What Keeps Contacts Going.