What Coaching Kids Taught Me About Leadership and Empathy

When I originally started coaching football for kids, I thought it would just be drills and matches to help the kids improve their game. However, it has turned out to be one of the most meaningful learning experiences of my life, not only as a coach but also as a person.

Working with experienced coaches taught me the value of patience, planning, and communication. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes, from organising camps and planning sessions to developing new ways that engage each player. It has shown me how teamwork and empathy can bring out the best in others.

Each session serves as a reminder that learning is a reciprocal process. The kids teach me as much as I teach them about resilience, kindness, and enjoying the journey. Watching them grow motivates me to keep improving, both on and off the field.

Coaching has taught me that true leadership does not involve control. It is about understanding, empathy, and growing together.

What experience has helped you become more understanding or empathetic?




Comments

  1. Very inspirational, kids always make you realise how much you don’t know

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  2. This is such a beautiful reflection! I love how you connected coaching to personal growth, it never fails to surprise me how much we can learn from kids when we least expect it. For me, volunteering at a special education instituition taught me about patience, teamwork and empathy.

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  3. That’s a beautiful reflection — it’s amazing how coaching can reveal so much about leadership and personal growth. Keep doing your amazing work

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  4. This was a wonderful read Farooqi! So interesting to see the symbiotic nature of the relationship between you and your team! In learning you’ll teach and in teaching you’ll learn!

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  5. Coaching sounds like a great way to learn and grow. It’s amazing how much we can learn from kids too

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  6. Really loved this, Farooqi. You captured the heart of what true mentorship means — it’s not just about teaching skills; it’s about growing alongside the people you guide. The way you described learning from the kids hit me hard; it’s rare to see someone acknowledge that so openly. Keep sharing reflections like this — they remind people why leadership grounded in empathy matters.

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  7. Well said Farooqi, great insights into coaching

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  8. Thats amazing! Keep up the good work.

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  9. That’s super inspirational! keep up the great work!

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  10. Wow I relate to this a lot! I used to help out with my school’s junior football team and it really showed me how much patience and empathy matter. You’re right...the kids end up teaching you more than you expect πŸ˜…

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  11. Really inspiring! A great reminder that small actions can lead to big change.

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  12. this is so lovely!! kids really do bring out the best qualities in people!!

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  13. That's a very insightful reflection, learning to be a successful coach definitely takes a lot skill and patience. Great job!

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  14. You make training sound fun and motivating for the kids!! Truly amazing!

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  15. Lovely read, great inspiration!

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  16. Crazy how much you can learn from kids! Great job!

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  17. This is such a powerful and insightful post, Farooqi. It's amazing how coaching kids strips leadership down to its core: patience, clear communication, and genuine care. These lessons is something every leader, parent, and friend needs to hear. Thank you for sharing these wisdom.

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  18. This is an outstanding piece of work literally saying a lot abt the experiences as a true ,qualified and well experienced coach!!

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  19. I remember being coached as a kid, and I remember how impactful it was, keep changing those kids lives!

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  20. Love seeing you continue doing what you enjoy the most! You’ve always seemed so great at coaching kids.

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  21. It’s truly amazing how, through coaching, you’ve discovered the real meaning of leadership and what makes it even more special is that while coaching kids, you’re also learning so much yourself in so many different ways.

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  22. Love and relate to this article so much 🀍🀍

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  23. sounds like such a thoughtful and loving experience with the kids! keep up the good work!

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  24. Very Inspiring, well written πŸ‘πŸ»

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  25. Seems like such an inspiring experience!

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  26. Amazing Insights on your ongoing journey to success. Always Proud of all the Hard work you put into yourself to achieve excellence .

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  27. This is beautiful! Coaching really sounds like a journey of growth for both you and the kids. Thanks for sharing these important lessons about empathy and leadership.

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  28. This piece really shows how small actions can make a big difference. I like how you connected your love for cooking and football to Qatar’s 2030 vision it proves that real change starts with our daily habits and community spirit. “One meal, one match, one mindset” is such a powerful message, reminding us that being healthy is about joy and balance, not pressure. Great work, Mohammad truly inspiring and genuine.

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  29. Well said and written. The essence of leadership lies in enabling others to excel, not in maintaining control.

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  30. I really enjoyed reading this. I can imagine how challenging yet rewarding this experience must’ve been for you!

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  31. This blog really shows what you've always been passionate about and that is to help train and educate the future generation of kids in a sport that you love and from what I've read, you've definitely gained the characteristics it takes to be a great coach. Keep up the good work.

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  32. this was such a thoughtful read! i really liked how you connected leadership with empathy instead of just control, that perspective’s so important but rarely talked about. its also really great how you tied it back to what you’ve learned from the kids too! good luck for your future endeavors farooqi!

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  33. Your journey in coaching shows that leadership is just as much about learning as it is about teaching and the kids are getting an amazing mentor in you.

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