When you are passionate about a subject, sometimes that passion and intensity can come across as unnecessarily aggressive. Especially as a coach, it is important to remember how you are coming across to those who you are training, while still remaining true to yourself and your teaching style. In this segment of Table Talk, Dave Tate gives his insight on this subject when asked:
Why are you so angry?
First off, Dave takes the time to put the question into context. What viewers see of Dave’s attitude is limited to interviews like those featured in Table Talk, and seminars where he is passing on knowledge to other athletes. He makes it clear that those snapshots of his life are not representative of the whole; that is to say, he is not angry 24/7.
WATCH: Table Talk — What Would You Change?
But he recognizes that his style can be gruff, fast-paced, and intense. Dave takes his mission of educating athletes very seriously. And when he is in the middle of a teaching opportunity or training session, Dave cannot personally disengage and be funny or light-hearted; it's just not his style. Focus and intensity can sometimes be misconstrued as anger, especially when the context is limited to a short video or presentation.
Still, Dave then remarks that he has to educate many people in his life about not interpreting his focus as anger. When he is thinking about all the aspects of running a business, specific training regimes for his weightlifters, as well as his family obligations, Dave admits that he can sometimes retreat into himself and stop communicating. He often has to remind his staff that his silence does not mean he is angry!
Dave returns to the concept of context and perception. He makes it clear that the times he is relaxed and loose are not captured on camera. You don’t see Dave when he is goofing around at the gym, relaxing at a picnic, or spending quality time with his family.
What you do see of Dave is his professional, determined side that has built elitefts into the organization it is today. Dave takes his work very seriously, and makes no apologies for it.
