In Episode 23, Glenn Crooks, New York City FC Radio Commentator, Host of The Coaching Academy on SiriusXM FC, Writer/Host of Pro Soccer USA, Host of the On Frame and Soccer in the City Podcasts, Players Development Academy Head Coach, and Former Rutgers University Women’s Soccer Coach, talks with Phil about the best leader he coached, other coaches he respects, leading from the middle, empowering your team members, and learning from people different from you. Specifically, Glenn discusses:

• His story and how he developed his passion for soccer and leadership (1:32)
• The best leader that Glenn has ever coached, and what made her great (6:30)
• Some of the life lessons that Glenn has learned from his decades of coaching and broadcasting, that is, the lessons he learned “after he knew everything” (12:02)
• Developing an internal language within your team (15:55)
• Empowering your team members (17:50)
• Learning from people from different backgrounds, professions, and walks of life (21:18)
• Finding the right person to send the right message at the right time (24:18)
• Leading from the middle (28:31)
• The coaches that Glenn respects the most and what sets them apart from the rest (37:12)
• One critical thing that he wanted to teach every one of his players (43:08)
• How he has used the lessons learned through the beautiful game in his life outside the game (47:55)
• Glenn’s recommendations (53:19)

Resources and Links from this Episode

• Glenn’s website
• On Frame Podcast
• Soccer in the City Podcast
• Uncut Video of the Episode
• HSEL Facebook Group
• Phil and HSEL on Clubhouse -- @phildarke
• A Coach’s Guide to Teaching, by Doug Lemov
• “What is it like to play for Pep Guardiola?” – The Athletic
• This is Football, Episode 6: Wonder (Amazon Prime)
• The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable, by Patrick Lencioni
• The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else in Business, by Patrick Lencioni