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The Idea: Leadership Re-Defined
In the world of leadership, especially within the dynamics of athletic teams, the spotlight often gravitates towards those with the most visible skills or the loudest voices. However, an emerging concept in leadership theory suggests that the most effective leaders may not always be the ones who stand out for their athletic prowess, overall competence, or vocal leadership. Instead, they might be the individuals who excel at connection - those who act as the relational oil inside of teams. We are going to dive into the powerful role of leaders who foster relationships, ensuring every teammate feels valued, heard, and understood. And we’re going to start with a story about an all-timer.
Anecdote: The Big Fundamental
There is perhaps no better example of this than Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs. Tim Duncan accomplished everything as a player.
5x Champion
3x Finals MVP
2x MVP
15x All-Star
15x All-NBA
15x All-Defense
But, he did it in a way different from most celebrated athletes. He was the backbone of the culture that allowed his team to have sustained success.
If you have some time, watch what very well may be the greatest basketball video of all time - a fan-made tribute to the Spurs’ sustained success from the late ‘90s to the mid-teens of the 2000s. Pay attention to the role Duncan plays in shaping the on and off-the-court culture of this team.
Known for his quiet demeanor, Duncan exemplified leadership through his ability to connect with teammates off the court. His unassuming nature and willingness to engage with teammates in meaningful ways contributed significantly to the Spurs’ longstanding success, demonstrating that leadership can be as much about relationship-building as it is about direct influence.
Here’s Greg Popovich, Duncan’s coach and leader of the Spurs’ dynasty, talking about Duncan before his retirement ceremony.
There are all kinds of leadership. He doesn’t wave a towel. He doesn’t give speeches. When he speaks it’s for a purpose. Less is more in a sense with him…
And he led by example. He had a vision. Everybody bought into his vision. He was accepting. He was not judgmental of people. He didn’t even really need to demand because they knew inherently that what he expected was what they saw in him and what he did every day in practice and in games; how he handled a loss, how he handled that loss…
That’s who he was and that’s how he led…
That allowed for a lot of success because that set the tone for every other player that’s ever come through that door. Because when somebody like him accepts and wants direction and coaching, and responds to it so well, it makes it very difficult for anybody else to go in a different direction.”
Here’s a story we often share with the athletes and teams we speak to. An employer outside of the sports world we work with told us that they noticed a trend a few years back that most of their best employees were former college athletes.
They told us, “You know, when we hire, we look through the stack of applications, and we put all of the college athletes at the top of the stack.” They’ve adjusted their recruitment strategy. They go to college campuses to recruit. They’re developing relationships with ADs. The reason why is that they know that someone who’s been on a team, with people different than them, working towards a common goal is far more likely to understand how to work well with other people.
It’s part of the 21st-century skillset - not any specific competence or technical ability - simply the ability to work well with other people.
Research Insight: Social Cohesion
This type of research is somewhat of a “hot topic” in Sports Psychology today. Psychologists are consistently fascinated with team dynamics and the different impacts they have on team performance.
A pivotal meta-analysis on social cohesion within sports teams explored the idea that social bonds and shared objectives within a team significantly contribute to performance. It delves into the intricate ways in which the quality of relationships within a team influences its overall performance. This research highlights that teams with strong interpersonal connections and a high degree of trust among members tend to outperform those lacking in these areas, providing empirical support to the theory that leadership can be profoundly impactful when it focuses on building and maintaining relationships.
These studies collectively underscore the importance of emotional intelligence, empathy, and social cohesion in cultivating a form of leadership that, while may be subtle, is incredibly powerful in driving a team toward success. This approach to leadership moves beyond the traditional metrics of performance to embrace the human element, proving that the strength of a team lies in its heart.
Putting It All Together:
So, how do we implement this within our teams and our own leadership? How do we foster trust, cohesion, and togetherness?
Empathy is Key: It’s simple, but not easy. Understand and connect with your teammates on a personal level to build, strong, trusting relationships. This will require a plan.
Lead by Example: Demonstrate the behavior you wish to see in your team. Consistency in action can inspire and influence your teammates more than words.
Active Listening: Show genuine interest in your teammates’ thoughts and concerns. This can help in resolving conflicts and fostering a positive team environment.
Bridge Gaps: Be the mediator and connector within your team. Identify and bridge gaps between teammates.
Take Notice: The people on your team who serve in subtle ways, make sure to celebrate them and celebrate the way they make your team work because of the glue that they are.
Conclusion:
In the 21st century, leadership extends beyond the conventional realms of strategy and motivation. It thrives in the subtleties of interpersonal relationships, where the ability to harmonize with teammates becomes a paramount leadership quality. This form of leadership, grounded in empathy and understanding, can transform the dynamics of a team, steering it toward unparalleled success. The most effective leaders are those who master the art of fitting in, making everyone around them better, and leading through harmony.
The Coach Performance Playbook
Coaches have access to a lot of coaching content. What they lack are systems.
The Coach Performance Playbook consists of three comprehensive sections that guide coaches through a transformative leadership journey. Through this playbook, coaches will establish systems to effectively manage the chaos they face, enhance their ability to develop their team members, and ultimately elevate their team’s performance to new heights.
This comprehensive suite includes on-demand assessments, valuable tools, engaging courses, and a wealth of resources, all meticulously designed to unlock the full potential of your coaching staff and team.
As a part of the Coach Performance Playbook, coaches get access to the following systems for themselves and their programs:
Coach Performance Plan
10 Culture Playbook Team Exercises
Elite Athlete Index
Elite Coach Index
Player Cards
Culture Wins Library
And for the first time, we’ve created a way for everyone to experience it completely for FREE!
How to Get Access:
Clicking the link below will take you to a page to get 3 free videos from inside the Coach Performance Playbook.
Feel free to send this page to any coaches or leaders that you think would benefit from this or find this valuable.
Ready to Jump In?
If you’re ready to jump in and join over 500 coaches using the Coach Performance Playbook for their programs, you will get sent a link to purchase when signing up for the free resource above.
If you’re a High School coach or AD, we are offering the CPP for a discounted price for a limited time so make sure to check out the discount code listed in the email when you sign up!
BETTER Installs
Want BETTER to come do a culture installs, workshops, speak to a team, or work within your Athletic Department? Reach out to us at [email protected]. Our installs include:
The AD Meta Map
Role Clarity
Team Values Exercise
Department, Program, or Individual Alignment
Getting the Most out of Your Team
