Lead 'Em Up Podcast

Watch the full video here: leademup.com/greenroom

You can’t challenge someone to be great if you haven’t earned their trust. In this episode, we unpack one of the most overlooked truths in sports leadership: before you can lead me, you need to know me.

Championship teams aren’t just talented, they’re connected. They build relationships deep enough to allow for honest feedback, accountability, and real growth. So why do most teams skip straight to “calling each other out” without laying the foundation? In this episode, we will explore the truth that you can’t challenge someone to be their best until you’ve earned their trust, and that trust only comes through genuine connection. This episode breaks down why peer leadership often fails in sports teams and how coaches and players can build the kind of culture where teammates lead each other effectively.

Download the Green Room Player Reflection Template, a simple PDF that coaches can use to have their players reflect on the episode. It’s perfect for sparking discussion and capturing key takeaways.

Download here: https://leademup.com/the-green-room-player-reflection-worksheet/

As a coach, your standards set the tone for your team, but what happens when those standards shift from day to day? In this episode, we explore the impact of inconsistency in coaching: inconsistent call-outs, fluctuating expectations, and the confusion it creates for athletes trying to earn trust and clarity. We will dive into the “demo, drill, defend” strategy that reveals the secret to coaching with consistency and clarity. Whether you’re a seasoned coach or just starting out, this episode challenges you to examine your habits and ask: Are your standards steady, or do they depend on the day?

Coaches often say you learn more from losing than winning, but what if that’s not the only way? In this episode, we flip the script and talk about how to build a culture where learning, reflection, and growth happen even in the midst of success. We’ll discuss how the best place to learn is through wins, so you’re not forced to grow only after a tough loss or rock-bottom moment. Great teams get better while they’re winning, and so can yours.

What do you do when your team just doesn’t have the talent to match the competition? Perhaps this is when leadership becomes more than X’s and O’s, it becomes about heart, culture, and character. In this episode, we dive into the mindset and strategies coaches need when they’re outmatched on paper. From redefining success to accepting new strategies to make your team work, this conversation is all about how to coach well, even when wins are hard to come by, because some of the most meaningful victories have nothing to do with the final score.

We’ve all shared this idea, “What am I going to do next year? I taught that already?” Teaching the same concept more than once and wondering if it’s even landing is a valid thought. But here’s the truth: many coaches suffer from the leadership theory of going shallow on many, and deep on a few, as a result, athletes may never experience the depths of leadership mastery. In this episode, we examine the develop vs. introduce dynamic while exploring the process of evolution through one’s ability to focus on a single concept. We’ll break down the 5 levels of proficiency that will help you ignite your athlete’s path to becoming an elite player-led team. The need to keep going deeper into the Lead ‘Em Up teachings isn’t just necessary, it’s a huge part of leadership proficiency. If you’ve ever been in doubt about repeating a concept, this episode will remind you why it matters and how to make every repetition count.

What happens when the leader gets hurt physically? In this episode, we explore the challenges and opportunities of leading while injured. From maintaining credibility and presence to adapting your leadership style, we’ll unpack the secret strategies for staying effective, authentic, and resilient in the face of personal setbacks. Whether you’re sidelined temporarily or navigating a long recovery, this conversation offers real talk and practical insights for showing up as a leader, even when you’re bruised, you’re still in charge!

Coaches often say, “I need leaders to step up,” but what does that really mean? In this episode, we break down the deeper message behind this call to action. Leadership in sports isn’t just about being the loudest voice or the best player, it’s about accountability, resilience, and making those around you better. We’ll unleash a 3-step process for players to be green and build green teammates by practical insights for athletes to rise to the challenge. Whether you’re a captain, a bench player, or someone striving to lead by example, this episode will inspire you to embrace the role of a leader inside and outside the lines of the game.

Watch the video here

In this episode of the Lead ‘Em Up Podcast, we explore the other side of “good.” All kids, good or bad, should receive an opportunity to raise their appetite for leadership. In fact, great leaders don’t just accept good players, they empower their good players to grow, lead, and thrive within the program. We’ll share 3 powerful reasons why coaches should go all-in on leadership development, especially when they have “good kids.” Also, we will examine a formula for good players to transition to great players. Whether you’re a head coach looking for your kids to be great or phenomenal, this episode will inspire and protect coaches from the trap of settling for “good.