18 TIPS TO LEAD A CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM

I find it very enjoyable talking with coaches at all levels of the team sports, especially the high school level.  High school kids are so raw for development, so eager to learn and hopefully do the right thing.  They really look up to their teachers and coaches.  And so, it's great to discuss and learn how these coaches are shaping and developing these young men and woman in leadership, accountability, teamwork, focus on common goals, integrity, service to the community, being centered and having fun. 

As such, we in the working world have lots to learn from these coaches and athletes.  I want to share this list from a high school coach I met over a year ago.  A wonderful and gracious teacher and coach whose focus is on developing talent in the classroom and the athletic venues.  At that time, he was the woman's water polo coach. He said this list permeates the culture of their entire school and athletic endeavors.  It is changing lives, creating a vibrant organization, student body and community.  

We can all use these tips where ever we maybe on our journey no matter the odds.  Just look at Leicester City's remarkable and incredible run in winning the 2016 Barclays Premier League.  Anything is possible with right attitude, vision and leadership.

1. Come and leave as a team - whenever possible teams should arrive, play, and leave as a single unit (team). That means eat together, walk together, drive together, wait in line together, and set up and clean up together. Whatever you do, do it together.
2. Be a giver – as a leader, look for every opportunity to give something to your team and teammates. Give your passion, enthusiasm, honesty, friendship, effort, hard work, determination, perseverance, time, leadership, and expertise. Whatever you do, give something of value.
3. Do the little things - when you do the little things your teammates learn to count on and trust you. This is especially true when you do the things that nobody wants to do or expects you to do. So, spend extra time with an teammate before or after practice, take the lead with our off-season conditioning program, or hold your teammates accountable in response to their attitude, effort, and follow-thru. Remember, trust leads to loyalty, loyalty leads to commitment, and commitment leads to success. Whatever you do, do what needs done.
4. Every performer has a "boiling point" - everyone has that critical point (that extra degree) that redefines their commitment, effort, and intensity. Consistently "push" yourself and others outside their comfort zone - toward greater commitment and goal attainment. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Whatever you do, model the commitment and behaviors that you would like to see in your teammates.
5. Every team has a "tipping point" – continue to develop a core group of hard working and highly committed individuals at each grade level that can take your team from good to great and move your team (tip your team) into that next level. This core group "sets the tone" for what is expected in terms of hard work, effort, and intensity. Whatever you do, help your coaches develop a core group of highly committed leaders.
6. Respect is best communicated with a "thank you" - it's not that difficult . . . you just have to say it. Thank your athletic trainers, the bus driver, those serving the food, and those cleaning the locker room. Whatever you do, say "thank you," and say it often.
7. Stay in the present - the past is done and the future is uncertain (and not yet here) so be careful not to devote much time to either. Instead, stay in the present. Your performance is "here and now," and your focus needs to stay "in the moment." Whatever you do, do it right here and right now- 2008’s, 2009’s, and 2010’s trophies didn’t matter in 2011.
8. Communication is mostly what we see - more than 90% of your communication throughout a day is non-verbal. So, take note of your facial expressions and body language and be sure that you are encouraging and empowering others in both what you are showing and what you are saying. Your verbal and nonverbal communication should be consistent and moving others in the direction of positive change. Whatever you do, say it and show it.
9. It's not about you - when you are "giving" and "serving" others, it cannot be about you. Helping others succeed and leading teams toward unity calls for a constant "other focus." It's about encouraging, empowering, and building others up . . . in words, actions, and demeanor. Whatever you do, as a captain, you must put others first.
10. Attitude is everything - the task at hand is never as important as the attitude that it will take to complete that task. Your teammates’ attitudes are more important than their individual role, team status, playing time, knowledge, leadership role, or year in school. The great thing about your attitude is that you get to "pick it" every moment of every day. So, pick it wisely. Whatever you do, remember that your attitude is a choice.
11. Optimism is contagious - is your glass "half-full" or "half-empty?" You are either lifting others up or bringing others down. In short, you are either optimistic or pessimistic. Life "in-the-middle" seldom exists. So, start looking at what you have, rather than what you don't have. Be thankful for what is, rather than what is not. Focus on your own and others' strengths, rather than weaknesses. And look toward what you can accomplish, rather than what you cannot. Whatever you do, be positive in what you think, how you act, and what you say to yourself and others.
12. What got you here . . . won't get you there - all the hard work, time, and sacrifice that got you to the place you are now will not be enough to get you to where you want to go next. Your strengths got you here but your strengths will have to get stronger. Your commitment has been great but it will have to be greater. And your leadership has been very good but it will now have to be better as seniors. To "move up" you will have to do more, get better, and be smarter. Whatever you do, do it better than ever.
13. You move in the direction of what you think - whatever dominates your thoughts is what you will move toward. When you think success, you move toward success. When you set higher goals, you move toward better and better performances. You cannot separate the mind from the body. What you are thinking is what your body will begin to do. Whatever you do, think about what you want to do and want to accomplish.
14. You may "want" . . . but your team will "need" - there is a big difference between what you want from your team and what your team needs from you as their captain. It is critical to differentiate between what you would like (at some point in time) and what your team needs from you (right now). Whatever you do, do what your team needs you to do today.
15. Pointing fingers (and blame) is the easy way out - taking responsibility and ownership is hard but it is critical to individual and team success. Blaming others often leads to conflict, dissatisfaction, and poor team communication. However, coaches, captains and players taking responsibility and ownership often leads to greater team trust, effort, and overall satisfaction and performance. Whatever you do, always take responsibility for your thoughts, words, and actions.
16. Accountability is rare but an absolute necessity - with responsibility comes accountability. It is imperative to hold yourself and others accountable, but true accountability is rare. Accountability includes establishing clearly outlined consequences for not doing what was promised and a follow-through action plan to allow for the consequences to be carried out when needed. Whatever you do, embrace accountability and the consequences that follow.
17. Excellence (and winning) is a habit - remember that habits take considerable time to create but they are also hard to break. When you think about and dwell on excellence and winning - you move toward winning. When you win, you often win more. When you continue to win, you expect to win again. In time, winning becomes a habit. And habits are hard to break. Whatever you do, strive for excellence in all that you do.
18. Great leaders make the difference - great teams have great leaders. Great leaders set the commitment standard, lead by example, are vocal when needed, make good decisions, are confident, hold accountable, and actively build team trust and unity. In short, a great leader is the "difference maker." Whatever you do, take the time to develop yourselves as captains and leaders.

Being a captain of this program is the ultimate responsibility. Consider the pairs of captains you’ve played for; what made them good? What made them ineffective? What do you want next year’s captains to say about you?
It’ll sometimes be an exercise in patience putting your teammates before yourselves. But think of the payoff: if your team accomplishes that goal of EARNING a state trophy, you get to touch it first.

What are your thoughts on developing and cultivating  leadership talent in your team or organization?  We would love to hear from you with comments or questions. Send me a note via email at brad@aperiocoaching.net or on Twitter @bparcells.