My People,
It's just been slightly under a week since Beyoncé dropped Act II: Cowboy Carter. Like much of the world, I gave it a spin on release day. I didn't stay up all night eagerly awaiting the album like some (no names mentioned), but I did wake up early that morning to dive in. I prefer to experience new albums either at the gym, with my Dre Beats on, or in the car. This time, the gym won.
Now, you should know I firmly believe Beyoncé is the GOAT. But I'm not what you'd call a superfan, though some might debate that. Case in point: I know today's Beyoncé and Jay-Z's anniversary. How, you ask? It falls on the same day as MLK's assassination. So, you could say I'm a bit of a history buff. Or at least, I know my dates. But what I do know for sure is that I'm a teacher, so consider this my classroom. WTF Can Coaches learn from Beyoncé, Advanced Course.
LESSON 1: EMBRACE YOUR NARRATIVE
Upon my second listen to Beyoncé's latest, I fell head over heels for it, and for good reason. Firstly, she featured my guy Shaboozey not once, but twice! If you follow me on socials, you know I called it the day she announced her album drop. Secondly, I adore how this album weaves a narrative, the Beyoncé way.
Just like Beyoncé, coaching begins with a story. It's the narrative you attach to yourself, your goals, and your vision that fuels your belief in whether you can achieve them. Not only does the album tell a captivating story, but even its message and the chosen singles carry weight. When country radio initially balked at playing her single, "Texas Hold 'Em," Beyoncé was venturing into new sonic “genre” territories (if you've heard the album, you know why I've air-quoted "genre"). Bey knows how to march to her own beat, and you can only do that when you're crystal clear on your story and the message you're putting out. Beyoncé boasts a fanbase that'll follow her anywhere. You can't achieve that without understanding your narrative and the message you're conveying. As coaches, coachees seek us out because of our stories. Embrace that.
LESSON 2: PLAYING THE LONG GAME
In today's instant-gratification world, everyone wants everything pronto. They're clamoring for something in ten minutes that realistically takes two years. It's all about speed. But prior to dropping her latest album, Beyoncé shared on Instagram that this project took a grueling 2.5 years to craft. Some argue it's her finest work yet. A project like this demands meticulous planning and refinement. You can't whip up greatness in a day. Good things take time, and you've got to consistently put in the work. Beyoncé undoubtedly had a clear vision of where she wanted to take this project. We know there'll be three acts. People don't create cohesive albums anymore, let alone an entire series that keeps everyone guessing. And to top it off, each album explores a different genre, reclaiming spaces historically denied to black artists. That kind of excellence requires dedication and genuine quality. You can't just wake up one morning and have it all together. It's all about planning. As coaches, we recognize that coaching is a marathon, not a sprint. Our coachees won't solve all their problems or reach their goals in a single session. But for some reason, many of us act as though they can. Coaching is about the long game. Your entire coaching practice revolves around refinement and equipping your coachees with the skills they need to succeed. Embrace it.
So grab your cowboy boots and and but on your cowboy hat! We are about to coach our asses off this summer!
Love Y’all For Free,
Mario Jovan