Cornerman - HOF trainer Buddy McGirt talks big wins, big losses, comebacks, building and ending careers.

In Season 1, we had James “Buddy” McGirt on to discuss his legendary boxing career and how he got started in the sport. To go along with our theme of Season 2, we had Buddy back on to discuss how he became a Hall of Fame boxing trainer. There are a lot of trainers that were boxers themselves and that’s with good reason. They are able to see what makes a good fighter and they are keen to insights during a fight that boxing fans and announcers aren’t. In this week’s sit down, Buddy and I discuss how he started training other boxers while he was still fighting, when he started training fighters for Don King, just what it takes to help a fighter rebound after taking a tough loss, and what goes into the decision to call a fight. Buddy touches on his hard decision to call a fight for his fighter, Maxim Dadashev, who ended up dying shortly after the fight and how his decision was applauded by those in the boxing community but it sticks with him to this day. We break down how you know when your fighter is ready for the next step, his evolution during his coaching career, how his regrets have made him the man he is now, and what his plans are for the next 5-10 years (hint: he doesn’t expect to stop training any time soon.) As with any coaches, there is so much advice to be gathered from Buddy, who has a unique ability to garner trust from his athletes. He talks about why getting an education is so important, how adapting as a communicator makes getting through to people easier, and that not everybody can be taught the same way.Listen to me go a few rounds of conversation with Buddy and learn why you never want him to give you a cigar.  LESSONS FOR LEADERS1) Get an education. You always need lessons to fall back on. Educate yourself on money. 2) After suffering a setback, you have to be able to get back up and put it behind you. 3) Thinking too much can be a bad thing. You have to trust yourself and your instincts. 4) Sometimes you have to be the person to tell someone to move on. You don’t want to be a part of the destruction of a person, so you want to be a part of the next step in their life.  5) Self-awareness is important as a leader. It is difficult to develop that, but those who have it can lead. 6) If you see a noticeable change in someone, you should reward with a shot or challenge. You have to give people a chance to prove they are ready for more. 7) There are different ways to get the best out of people. It’s up to you as a leader to be able to read them and figure out what motivational tools work. 8) You aren’t going to be able to get through to everyone right away. Don’t get discouraged. Go home and come back with a solution.