Serve, Coach, Lead Newsletter #17: Talent or Leadership?

Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated

“Talent is important. But the single most important ingredient after you get the talent is internal leadership. It's not the coaches as much as one single person or people on the team who set higher standards than that team would normally set for itself. I really believe that that's been ultimately important for us.”

-Mike Krzyzewski

The internal leadership that Coach Krzyzewski talks about is often the separator between good teams and great teams. It is why certain teams are able to overcome adversity and some aren't.

I am going to expand on this quote and discuss how we as leaders can create an environment for internal leaders to grow.

Some coaches are deliberate about creating rules and regulations for their players to follow. Each infraction has a consequence, and players are held accountable for their actions. There have been many coaches, and there will be many in the future, that implement this model successfully.

However, I believe that having expectations and standards will serve leaders more effectively when working to create a successful culture.

Here are three simple ways to utilize expectations instead of rules to influence your team's behavior:

1. Integrate core values and beliefs within the expectations of a team

The core values that I have used in the past are Respect, Commitment, Family, Focus, and Discipline. Our players were consistently held to the expectation that every decision they make should:

a. Respect others and themselves

b. Demonstrate commitment to improving personally and helping the team

c. Treat those around them like family, and foster deep relationships with their teammates and coaches

d. Focus on the task at hand, and focus on our goals as a team

e. Work to be disciplined in all aspects of life

Here is an excerpt from a substance abuse policy that was created for a high school baseball program:

2. Set an impeccable example for those within your organization

"Your actions are speaking so loudly I can barely hear a word you're saying."

Young people emulate what they see. Show them what it means to be respectful, to be committed to the program, to love and support one another, how to be focused and present in the moment, and how to be disciplined and create good habits.

We can change the way our players behave simply by being the role model they need.

3. Empower leaders within your team

How did you get your start as a coach, teacher, or leader?

Did you wait until you felt fully prepared to take on the responsibility of leadership to start your career?

I am going to infer that this is not the case for many of us.

So why are we so hesitant to give others a voice within our organizations?

Provide members of your program opportunities to address the group. Involve them in certain decisions. Discuss what leadership looks like within your team dynamics. Everyone can be a leader, sometimes all they need is an opportunity to exercise their leadership abilities.

Internal leaders will grow when we facilitate their development. Those that emerge as leaders on our teams can be our greatest tool in affecting the performance of the group. If those that have the most influence are the ones adhering to the standards we put in place, then the expectations become the norm. Once this occurs, the members of the team that are making the right decisions become the nucleus. Anyone not living up to the standard becomes an outsider. At this point, the outsiders have two options: join the group, or leave the group.

We win with the right people. Too many coaches know the frustration of having a talented team with the wrong attitudes, and falling short of their potential.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this week's newsletter. As mentioned before, I would love for this to be an interactive experience for each of us. Please share any comments, questions, or feedback that you may have. Also, if you know of anyone that would benefit from these emails, please send them this link to sign up.

*In the next couple of weeks, I will be publishing a few "Q&A Issues" where I will answer reader-submitted questions. If you have a question that you would like me to address, please respond directly to this email (or email me at harrison.stevens3@gmail.com). Your questions can be anonymous, or I can give you credit in the newsletter. I am looking forward to diving into your questions and creating more dialogue within our community!

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Thank you for your support, and I look forward to connecting with you all next week.

God Bless!