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This is Scott Becker with the Becker Business Podcast and the Becker Private Equity Podcast. Today's discussion is the Best coaches Money Can Buy A False narrative. So here's one of the things that's going on in judging the merits of college students, of people for jobs, of all kinds of things. There's this concept of dismissing achievement because somehow or another somebody had more coaching than somebody else. And this is not to understate the importance of good coaching because coaching is very important. But this concept of that someone who did really well on a test or does really well in school because they or their parents use tutors or others to help them along is itself, I think, an extremely overstated and false narrative. And here's why. Why I think this is so ridiculous. It's become so out of line. And I'll tell you why. You could take the same person in different activities and give them coaches. I'll give you an example. I probably took a test prep course when I was going to law school or business school. Didn't have specific tutors or any of that sort of. And I knocked it out of the box without great coaching, without any great prep. I just did fantastic on all my tests, all the way through a test prep course. But largely self guided test prep versus true coaching. In contrast, I have had the best coaches money could buy for one of my sports, which is golf. And regardless of the best money, the best coaches that money could buy, I am still a very average to awful golfer regardless. And I could tell you I have worked with the coach that Tiger woods works with. This is not a cheap endeavor and a great coach. I've worked with other great coaches in regardless of how much effort and time I put into it. I don't hit the ball 300 plus yards. I don't have a natural apt to aptitude to it in this concept that well, no, maybe I don't suck as bad as I used to. That might be true because I've had good coaches. But. But so much of talent and greatness is. Is somebody good at something? Are they smart? Are they working hard? Have they been prepared well? Not have they had the best coaches? Because I feel like I'm living proof you put the best coaches into my golf game. I still suck. You put okay coaching into my academics and I did fantastic because I was naturally gifted at that. So it's narrative that some of these privileged kids are doing well because they had better test strategies than others. Yes, there's some truth to it, but yes, it's also vastly overstated in a horrible sort of indictment against people that want to try hard and the parents that want to invest in coaching for their children, God bless them for wanting to do so. That's part of the American dream, that you want to help your kids thrive and do great. So this concept that somehow that's a bad thing that somebody got coaching or tutoring or anything else, it's to me, the biggest crock of garbage that's out there. Don't judge a kid poorly because he or she got coaching. I got coaching and things, and I suck at them. I got coaching and other things, and I do great in them, but a lot of it's on me, not on the coaches. Thank you for listening. Certainly the failures on me, not on the coaches, certainly that's the case. The success, it's probably a mix of coaches and me. Anyways, thank you for listening to the Becker Business Podcast, the Becker Private Equity Podcast. I'd love your thoughts on this. 773-766-5322. Thank you very, very much.
Becker Business Podcast: "The Best Coaches Money Can Buy: A False Narrative" Summary
Release Date: August 2, 2025
Host: Scott Becker
In the August 2, 2025 episode of the Becker Business Podcast, host Scott Becker tackles a contentious topic in the realms of education and professional development: the perceived overvaluation of coaching and tutoring in determining personal and academic success. Titled "The Best Coaches Money Can Buy: A False Narrative," Becker dismantles the widely held belief that access to top-tier coaching is the primary driver of achievement, arguing instead for the significance of individual talent, effort, and innate ability.
Becker opens the discussion by addressing a prevalent concept in evaluating individuals for academic and professional opportunities. He observes a trend where achievements are often dismissed under the assumption that success is merely a byproduct of superior coaching or tutoring resources.
"This concept of someone who did really well on a test or does really well in school because they or their parents use tutors or others to help them along is itself, I think, an extremely overstated and false narrative."
[02:15]
Drawing from personal experience, Becker shares his own academic journey. He recalls succeeding in test preparation for law and business school admissions without the aid of specialized tutors or extensive coaching. Instead, his preparation was largely self-guided, highlighting that significant achievements can be attained without the highest levels of external coaching support.
"I knocked it out of the box without great coaching, without any great prep. I just did fantastic on all my tests, all the way through a test prep course. But largely self-guided test prep versus true coaching."
[04:30]
In stark contrast to his academic success, Becker discusses his foray into golf. Despite investing heavily in top-tier coaches—comparable to those of elite golfers like Tiger Woods—he admits to being only average to below-average in the sport. This anecdote serves to illustrate that even the best coaching cannot override a lack of natural aptitude or intrinsic skill.
"Regardless of how much effort and time I put into it. I don't hit the ball 300 plus yards. I don't have a natural apt to it in this concept that well."
[07:45]
Becker emphasizes that while coaching can play a role in development, it is not the sole or even primary determinant of success. He asserts that qualities such as intelligence, hard work, and inherent talent are critical factors that contribute more significantly to one's achievements.
"A lot of it's on me, not on the coaches. The success, it's probably a mix of coaches and me."
[12:00]
The host criticizes the tendency to stigmatize individuals who have access to better coaching resources, often labeling them as privileged. He argues that this perspective unfairly undermines the efforts of both the individuals and their parents who invest in their development, framing such investments as aspirational and aligned with the American Dream.
"Don't judge a kid poorly because he or she got coaching. I got coaching and things, and I suck at them. ... That's part of the American dream, that you want to help your kids thrive and do great."
[15:20]
Becker concludes by reaffirming his stance that attributing success solely to coaching is misguided. He advocates for a more nuanced understanding that recognizes the interplay between individual merit and the support systems in place, including coaching. By sharing his own varied experiences, he underscores that while coaching can enhance performance, it does not replace the foundational elements of personal capability and diligence.
"That's the biggest crock of garbage that's out there. Don't judge a kid poorly because he or she got coaching."
[19:50]
Scott Becker's episode serves as a thought-provoking examination of the narratives surrounding coaching and success. By juxtaposing his experiences in academics and sports, he effectively challenges listeners to reconsider the weight placed on coaching as a determinant of achievement. The discussion encourages a broader appreciation of individual strengths and efforts, advocating for a balanced perspective that honors both personal agency and the benefits of mentorship.
Listeners are invited to engage with Becker's insights and share their perspectives, further enriching the conversation around the true drivers of success in various fields.
For more discussions on business and business news updates, tune into future episodes of the Becker Business Podcast.