This is the unabridged version of Mitch Santala’s conversation with Coach Greg Grandell, one of the winningest high school football coaches in California. The two leaders discuss developing a winning organizational culture, leadership principles, and building championship character in business and in a football program.

Mitch and Coach Greg discuss the power of language (what the coach refers to as “championship talk”) to shape an organization’s culture and the importance of aligning the values of a culture. They describe how to maintain a consistent philosophy across an institution and the power of modeling desired behaviors. Greg tells stories about learning that the journey to victory is as important as winning. And he talks about how he builds trust among those who follow him.

Mitch asks Greg how he sustains his passion for leading young men and how he created staff loyalty resulting in a coaching team with 20 years of partnership. They agree that leaders need to be approachable, grateful, and forgiving.

Greg tells the story of how he became involved in coaching, from being the child of divorce who needed structure coaches provided to reading a world leader’s quote, “coaches often impact more lives in one year than most of us do in a lifetime.”

Finally, Greg responds to our signature final question about where to find great Mexican food. Coach takes us on a trip to Cabo San Lucas to visit a residence-turned-restaurant on Medano Beach that serves what Greg believes are the very best enchiladas in history.

Table Talk:

Erin is intrigued by Greg’s story of having his team – from the star quarterback to the fourth string center – clean an irrigation ditch in a cow pasture. This perfect illustration of teamwork resonates with the entire table talk group as a reminder that in high-performing organizations, everyone is in it together, doing both the dirty and the glory work, celebrating the wins, and mourning the losses.

Gil then comments on Greg’s practice of leading from values more than emotion. Gil cites a story Greg tells about attending conferences with his younger coaching staff even though he felt like being home, to set an example of continuous learning.

Mitch hones in on the organizational culture that Greg builds, instilling a belief that life is more than just winning. “It’s about the journey, what we are learning and who we are becoming,” Mitch comments.

Links:

Seasons of Life by Jim Rohn

https://www.amazon.com/Seasons-Life-Jim-Rohn/dp/0939490005

Roland Tiangco, “The Future Belongs to the Few of Us Still Willing to Get Our Hands Dirty."

http://www.accidentalmysteries.com/blog/2009/12/future-belongs-to-roland-tiangco.html  

The Karate Kid

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087538/  

The Office on the Beach, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

http://www.theofficeonthebeach.com/  

Subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, and Stitcher.

Follow us:

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn