What does it mean to really coach someone and be a true leader? How does one overcome institutionalized disadvantages in your journey? What will it take to surpass them? In this podcast episode, Billy and Brandy Eldridge speak with Charles Burks about his journey to the NFL. Meet Charles Burks Charles Burks is the defensive coaching assistant for the Miami Dolphins. A native of Grand Prairie, Texas, Burks earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in 2010, followed by his Masters’s in sports administration in 2011. Burks also completed an internship with the Detroit Lions during the summer of 2012, working closely with current Rams Defensive Coordinator Tim Walton and Defensive Backs coach Marcus Robertson. In This Podcast Summary * Coaching with real constructive criticism * Journey to the NFL and racism Coaching with real constructive criticism Charles Burks found that coaching in the way he thought one was supposed to coach did more damage than good, therefore he changed his method of coaching to uplift his players instead of tearing them down. If you take constructive criticism, the first concept and wording is constructive, that means you build and I think as coaches if you’re not building you’re not coaching. (Charles Burks) In this way, if a mistake or issue arises, they work through it for what it is instead of getting wrapped up in it. We can therefore build people up around us with this philosophy, instead of thinking we have to first tear them down. If you’re trying to blow somebody else’s candle out to make yours shine brighter, you’re not going to live a peaceful life. I think you’re making it about you but as a coach and as a leader you should make it about them and that will in turn empower you. (Charles Burks) Real leaders are the ones that empower the people around them because it is not about having the biggest and best ego, it is about developing people to be their best whole selves. Journey to the NFL and racism Early on in my coaching career my biggest hurdle was working in an environment where the majority of [my] coworkers were middle to late-aged white men and they treated [me] as a black coach rather than a coach. (Charles Burks) The early days of Charles’ career and journey to the NFL were filled with difficult racially charged moments that he said he just had to stomach in order to get through. Such acts of racism, from joking remarks to seeing triggering flags every day are all signs that humanity has not moved that much forward from the past. These signs are present in all aspects, from politics to sports and so players and coaches have to have their guard up on two fronts at all times. As a society, local and global, it is our duty to one another and to our neighbors that we self-evaluate, self-actualize, and practice accountability and compassion. It is not enough to be kind because kindness is not an excuse for bad behavior. Achieving authentic unity is possible with a global effort and it would ricochet around the world. Books mentioned in this episode Nancy Verrier – The Primal Wound: Understanding the Adopted Child Glennon Doyle – Untamed Are you ready to find the freedom to be yourself as a beta male? Do you want permission and tools to be your best beta? Are you ready to join the revolution to find strength as a beta? If you want to be comfortable in your skin and be the most authentic beta male, then our free beta revolution course is for you.