It’s All About the Transfer

How Parents, Teachers, and Coaches Can Equip the Next Generation Through Feeling, Confidence, and Conviction

Have you ever paused to think about why some people can walk into a room and immediately inspire change, while others—who may be just as knowledgeable—struggle to make an impact? The difference often comes down to one thing: the transfer.

In every role we play—whether as parents, teachers, or coaches—our ability to equip and empower youth isn’t just about what we know or even what we say. It’s about what we transfer. The feelings, confidence, and convictions we pass on to the next generation have the power to shape their beliefs, their actions, and ultimately their future.

Let’s break this down through three timeless truths from leaders I deeply respect.

1. Selling Is a Transference of Feeling

Zig Ziglar once said, “Selling is a transference of feeling.”

Now, before you tune out because you’re not in sales, think about this: every parent, teacher, or coach is in the “business” of selling ideas. We sell values, habits, and perspectives. We sell young people on the belief that education matters, that perseverance pays off, that faith and character are worth more than popularity or shortcuts.

But here’s the key—if we don’t believe what we’re “selling,” if we don’t show that belief with genuine passion, youth won’t buy it. Kids, maybe more than anyone, can sniff out insincerity.

So ask yourself: when you tell your teenager that honesty is important, do they feel your passion for truth? When you encourage your players to give their all, do they see that same drive in you?

The feelings we carry—and transfer—set the tone for the lessons we hope to instill.

2. Coaching Is a Transference of Confidence

David Wright put it this way: “Coaching is a transference of confidence.”

Think about the young people you’ve worked with. Maybe you’ve seen the hesitation in their eyes before trying something new. Maybe you’ve heard them say, “I can’t do this” or “I’m not good enough.”

That’s where we step in. As adults who coach, mentor, or parent, our job is to transfer confidence into them before they fully believe it themselves. It’s standing on the sideline yelling, “You’ve got this!” It’s looking your child in the eye before a test and saying, “I believe in you.” It’s reminding your students that they are capable of more than they imagine.

Confidence isn’t something youth can borrow from a textbook or Google search. They often need to borrow it from us—until they’ve built enough of their own.

And here’s the beautiful part: the more confidence we transfer, the more they begin to believe it—and eventually, they’ll transfer it to someone else.

3. Speaking Is a Transference of Conviction

Jason Frenn said, “Speaking is a transference of conviction.”

When you speak—whether to a classroom, a team, or even around the dinner table—your conviction matters more than your words. If you aren’t convinced of your message, no one else will be.

Conviction is what turns a speech into a spark. It’s what makes a story memorable. It’s what makes the next generation sit up, take notice, and say, “Maybe I should believe this, too.”

So, when you talk to your children about faith, do they see conviction in your eyes? When you urge your students to treat others with respect, do they sense that this isn’t just a rule—it’s a core belief you live by?

Conviction doesn’t just communicate—it compels. And young people are watching closely to see if we truly live what we teach.

The Transfer Test

At the end of the day, every one of us should pause and ask:

• Am I transferring the right feelings to the youth I lead?

• Am I transferring confidence that helps them rise higher?

• Am I transferring conviction that inspires them to live with purpose?

If you’re not seeing the results you want, it may not be about working harder—it may be about transferring differently.

Final Thought

The next generation is hungry for leaders who don’t just talk about values, confidence, and purpose but actually transfer those things in ways that stick. Whether you’re a parent guiding your child, a teacher shaping a classroom, or a coach leading a team, remember this: influence is never neutral. You are transferring something every day.

So let’s be intentional. Let’s transfer feelings that uplift, confidence that empowers, and convictions that inspire. Because when we do, we don’t just influence youth in the moment—we equip them for a lifetime.