How do you adjust your leadership style for different sports teams?

In rugby coaching, I naturally try and see it through the player's eyes first, even when we have only just met, sometimes when they are getting out of their car in the club car park. Strange maybe, but it works for me. Casual and cool chats ease you into the relationship, and then you press the accelerator, with an individual or group.

Starting a new job at a sports team or club can be daunting. The learning curve can be steep. A few tips at onboarding tips: 1) Endear yourself to the groups of people who are responsible for the product on the pitch, field, ice or court. 2) Familiarize yourself with the ebbs and flows of the sport calendar and be sure to be plugged in to some of the nuances of it. 3) The closer you get to the sun, the hotter it gets. Be prepared for high pressure situations and think of ways you can add value in the heat of the moment - without interfering with the operating principles. 4) Be observant. Watch for non-verbal cues. Be aware of how other leaders/departments engage and the style they use doing so. 5) Pick your spots. Timing is everything.

My leadership style doesn’t adjust by sport or by person. When the backbone of your leadership comes from a place of service and discovery you naturally adjust as the people and environment change. My job as a leader is to have vision, head towards impactful objectives with conviction and consistency, hold high standards for the team and to support each person on their journey.

A lesser-known sport that is extremely team-centric is dragon boat racing. The history of this sport dates back 2,500 years and is quite possibly the ONLY sport where having individual A-players makes only a marginal impact during competitions. The best and fastest teams are not those with the strongest athletes or most aggressive demeanors; rather it's the teams that work the most harmoniously together and can power the 900 pound dragon boat with synchronous timing, technique, and trust across 22 members: a caller/drummer at the front, a steersman at the helm, and 2 rows of 10 paddlers between them. By far the ONLY sport I have seen where even the slightest ego can prove detrimental to team success, and working together is critical.

Empathy in managing sports people is crucial. Man management much more important than technical knowledge if you had to choose between the two.

Successful sports management starts with collective identity & integrity. I manage 40+ athletes who are here for different reasons and have individual preferences in being led. They may not agree and get along with all their peers and have their own criticisms. A strong leader is aware of this and defines the collective goals. They can express empathy without giving up ideals or inhibiting decision-making with over-democracy (e.g. collecting votes). Choices should reflect what's best for the team; therefore MOST players but possibly not all players. Cement a culture where people can acknowledge that they might not like this peer BUT they're a good teammate; they might not agree with this decision BUT it's indeed best for the team.

Everyone is motivated by different things. You really need to get to know your players and how they are motivated in order to best motivate them to perform their best. It is not just about your coaching style, it is about how your players react and if they will shut down or not. The better you show you care and are willing to understand them, the more you will be able to push and get the best out of them.

What I have learned working in China is that cultural background plays a key role in players' behavior and reactions to different management/coaching styles. Knowing the difference between specific sports cultures in different continents helps to adjust managing/coaching style and maintain leadership.

In my experience, I believe it is prudent to create a culture which is built on respect, accountability and passion. Establish a universal “Why”. Once this is done , the culture and the why governs the management of the varied personalities and the teams. The leader can afford to adopt varied approaches based on the individual knowing that it’s all aimed at achieving the universal “Why” of the group.

Coaching is an evolving learning experience; no one is ever definitively correct (it’s always adapting & adopting new ways of approach), and so we as coaches need to be extremely willing to be unique and different while challenging not only those we engage with and surround ourselves with, but we also must be enthusiastically willing to challenge ourselves. Sometimes we are required to adapt on the spot and we have to strategically pivot one way or another and ensure we adhere to ethical practices throughout. The vision may be for short/mid/long term goals and so we must be critical as well as analytical thinkers for the betterment of the athlete(s), sport, and sport supporters; we must be realistic optimists at all times.

Adapting your leadership style to each college sports team is crucial. Like a coach tailoring strategies for players, understand that different teams have unique needs. Open-ended questions are key. For experienced coaches, be a facilitator and offer guidance as needed. New coaches in rebuild mode may require mentorship and practical support. Flexibility and adaptability in leadership are essential for maximizing each team's potential for success. At the end of the day, the best advice is to be seen by players, coaches and fans.

Goals become more clear when the flaws that are obstacles to those goals are understood. First, identify the blockers to existing short-term goals and mark these are either controllable or uncontrollable. Then, identify the gaps in your team's current direction towards supposed long-term goals. Do the actions taken align with the vision you as a manager have? If there's a discrepancy, is this a result of miscommunication, lack of resources, or a disconnect between what the leadership & players want? Gather the right people to realign & implement the goals of the team without introducing too many chefs in the kitchen. This could be the manager, the head coach, and perhaps a seasoned individual who other teammates feel supported by.

I'm sincere and truthful in my feedback. I believe in utilizing various forms of feedback (not necessarily always verbal) to highlight +'s but I am realistic in the feedback/assessment of the performance(s) to ensure there is value in moving forward; in my opinion, I think it's too easy to dwell on negatives so I personally never like that type of feedback and avoid ever using it (what good does it do to harp on negatives?). I also think it's essential that as a leader, you create opportunities for professional dialogue and nurture the proper environment to work towards specific goals and objectives that all parties involved have; remember you are the catalyst that can help propel someone/something forward in achieving great success.

As a coach or manager, understanding and adapting your leadership style is paramount. Your style is influenced by your personality, values, beliefs, and experiences, which can bring strengths and weaknesses. Recognizing how your style interacts with others is vital, as compatibility or conflict can arise. To excel, focus on self-awareness and reflection to identify your style and its impact, and practice self-regulation and development to fine-tune your style for maximum effectiveness.

Adjusting leadership styles for diverse sports teams is pivotal for success. ?? Key strategies: 1?? Understand Team Dynamics ??: Recognize the unique demands and culture of each sport. 2?? Open Communication ???: Foster an environment where athletes can voice concerns and ideas. 3?? Customized Training ??: Design training programs tailored to the specific needs of the sport. 4?? Feedback Mechanism ??: Regularly review and adjust based on team feedback. 5?? Cultural Sensitivity ??: Embrace and integrate diverse backgrounds and traditions. 6?? Mental Conditioning ??♂?: Adjust psychological techniques based on the sport's demands. By being flexible and attentive, leaders can effectively guide varied sports teams to success. ??

I view my style as the puzzle board/backing of a family-style jigsaw puzzle (you know, the ones where there are 500 pieces but the pieces are all different shapes/sizes), and one that I may need to help morph, adapt, and or adjust to help form a particular image (goal/objective). Each piece of the puzzle is no more important than the next and they all have to work together; some may seem more important (perhaps, such as the pillars or corner pieces), but none complete the image of the puzzle without being encouraged, motivated, and coached by me, and where I can bring out people's strengths, but also challenge their weaknesses. And yes, sometimes it's essential to pivot, regroup, rethink, and refresh. Hopefully, this all breeds success!