The Great Coaches: There Is No Algorithm For Leadership

Todays episode is On Game Day and to explore the topic I am joined by Eamon Devlin.

Eamon is the founder of Minute9, a consultancy that works with some of the world’s elite teams and coaches in helping them improve their half time talks and preparation.

This discussion is so rich in information, and useful to any of us that are leading sporting teams or work teams that have split into 2 parts.

Eamonn Devlin on Game-Day Leadership: Halftime Protocols, Culture, and Coach Control

In this episode, former financial services lawyer Eamonn Devlin explains how personal adversity and his daughter’s negative team-talk experience led him to research and advise elite teams on communication, culture, and match-day environments. He shares common traits of top coaches (welcoming others, curiosity, confident challenge, and clear problem definition), and outlines a halftime framework prioritizing players “landing” mentally, refuelling, then concise, specific information supported by visuals, followed by re-warm-up. Devlin discusses reading the room, the risks of anger, declining player voice as coaching becomes more controlling, and how his team runs intrusive game-day reviews measuring 154 factors to provide comparative insights and recommendations. If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at [email protected] and if you would like to receive our newsletter with 5 ideas to help you improve your leadership, then sign up at: https://thegreatcoaches.beehiiv.com/subscribe

If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at [email protected] or contact us through our website thegreatcoachespodcast.com and if you would like to receive our newsletter with 5 ideas to help you improve your leadership, then sign up at: https://thegreatcoaches.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Todays episode is On Game Day and to explore the topic I am joined by Eamon Devlin.

Eamon is the founder of Minute9, a consultancy that works with some of the world’s elite teams and coaches in helping them improve their half time talks and preparation.

This discussion is so rich in information, and useful to any of us that are leading sporting teams or work teams that have split into 2 parts.

Eamonn Devlin on Game-Day Leadership: Halftime Protocols, Culture, and Coach Control

In this episode, former financial services lawyer Eamonn Devlin explains how personal adversity and his daughter’s negative team-talk experience led him to research and advise elite teams on communication, culture, and match-day environments. He shares common traits of top coaches (welcoming others, curiosity, confident challenge, and clear problem definition), and outlines a halftime framework prioritizing players “landing” mentally, refuelling, then concise, specific information supported by visuals, followed by re-warm-up. Devlin discusses reading the room, the risks of anger, declining player voice as coaching becomes more controlling, and how his team runs intrusive game-day reviews measuring 154 factors to provide comparative insights and recommendations. If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at [email protected] and if you would like to receive our newsletter with 5 ideas to help you improve your leadership, then sign up at: https://thegreatcoaches.beehiiv.com/subscribe

If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at [email protected] or contact us through our website thegreatcoachespodcast.com and if you would like to receive our newsletter with 5 ideas to help you improve your leadership, then sign up at: https://thegreatcoaches.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike Cron on Alignment, Learning Beyond Rugby, and Coaching with Honesty

We believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.

In this episode, rugby coach Mike Cron shares lessons from decades with the All Blacks and recent work with the Wallabies, emphasizing that great leaders are consistent, build alignment across coaches, staff and players, listen while making firm decisions, and stay willing to adapt. He explains how policing developed his prioritization, planning and people skills, and how better coaching comes from observation, confidence, and embracing silence when asking questions. Cron advocates learning from outside your field—sumo, netball, gymnastics, shot put—to convert insights into performance, and describes tools like “old way/new way,” the Ringelmann Effect to counter social loafing, and delivering brutal honesty with permission and care. If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at [email protected] and if you would like to receive our newsletter with 5 ideas to help you improve your leadership, then sign up at: https://thegreatcoaches.beehiiv.com/subscribe

1.   Where am I being “firm” when I actually need to adapt—and what feedback would I need to hear (and accept) to make that change?

2.   When I lead or coach, do I rely more on a script or on observation—and what would improve if I became more comfortable with silence and listening?

3.   In my team (or work group), where might social loafing be showing up subtly, and what specific commitment can I make so that “it will not be me”?

If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at [email protected] and if you would like to receive our newsletter with 5 ideas to help you improve your leadership, then sign up at: https://thegreatcoaches.beehiiv.com/subscribe

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This episode is a recording of our book club.

The book we discuss is World’s Best by Ric Charlesworth, the iconic Australian Field Hockey Coach Ric Charlesworth. Ric led both the Australian and Men's Hockey teams to World Cup victories. He also ed the women to an An Olympic Gold. He has also worked in Cricket, Australian Rules Football, is a medical Dr and spent 10 tears as a federal politican.

Our discussion is led by Dr David Turner, a Senior Lecturer in Sports Coaching at Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom,

If you enjoy todays discussion and would like to join us for a future book club you can contact me on [email protected]

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Bob Shillinglaw on Coaching Longevity, Mental Training, and Caring Leadership

We believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.

Retired after 43 years of college coaching (39 at the University of Delaware), Bob Shillinglaw reflects on how early experiences in sports—including competing against Bill Belichick and attending a camp coached by Belichick’s father—shaped his desire to coach. He describes choosing UNC, breaking into college coaching through low-paid roles while earning a master’s in sports psychology, and jump-starting Delaware’s program, including building alumni support and helping grow lacrosse statewide. Shillinglaw shares leadership lessons on integrating daily mental training (goals, visualization, reframing negative thoughts), applying consistent discipline, managing emotion on game day, communicating with players and staff, being empathetic and available off the field, and striving to be present with family despite the “coaching stare.” If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at [email protected] and if you would like to receive our newsletter with 5 ideas to help you improve your leadership, then sign up at: https://thegreatcoaches.beehiiv.com/subscribe

If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at [email protected] or contact us through our website thegreatcoachespodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Preventing Burnout in Coaching and Leadership: Recovery, Systems, and Support

We believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it. In this episode, Paul speaks with Dr. Gavin Weeks and Dr. Brendan Meany about burnout as an occupational phenomenon marked by prolonged exhaustion, cynicism or disengagement, and reduced felt effectiveness, often driven by stress, lack of control, weak support, and high-performance pressure. They discuss how burnout spreads through an organization via a leader’s “vibes,” eroding trust, cohesion, and productivity, and how presenteeism and obsessive passion can worsen it. Key lessons include building systems and guardrails that normalize recovery, delegating to trusted staff, planning for setbacks, developing clear leadership identity and values, seeking mentors, increasing self-awareness under stress, and practicing self-forgiveness and repair to sustain high performance. If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at [email protected] and if you would like to receive our newsletter with 5 ideas to help you improve your leadership, then sign up at: https://thegreatcoaches.beehiiv.com/subscribe

I am joined for the discussion by Dr Gavin Weeks. Gavin is a Doctor of Psychology and Associate Fellow at Oxford Sayyid Business School and director of innovation and development at the consultancy Thompson Harrison.

And Dr Brendan Meany. Brendan Meany is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant and His work focuses on implementing high-performance skills to optimize human potential in both sport and the corporate space. He is also the Chief Performance Officer of LiveFirstAI.com, he applies sport

psychology principles that manage burnout and elevate functioning.

If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at [email protected] or contact us through our website thegreatcoachespodcast.com

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Eddie O’Sullivan: Detail, Innovation, and Shared Leadership in Elite Rugby Coaching

We believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.

Eddie O’Sullivan reflects on coaching from grassroots to Ireland and the USA, arguing that great coaches separate themselves through relentless attention to detail, innovation, and an uncompromising commitment to giving players their best chance to perform. He describes how his PE teaching background and mentors shaped his ability to analyze skill and make sessions both enjoyable and educational, and how American sports influenced him to maximize limited training time with multiple specialist coaches delivering rapid, real-time feedback to steepen the learning curve. As Ireland coach, he prioritized expanding staff, building clear communication systems, and driving consistency by winning expected games and some unexpected ones, highlighted by beating Australia in 2002. O’Sullivan emphasizes shared leadership via a captain supported by a leadership group, honest two-way feedback, and emotional engagement balanced with control, including apologizing when messaging was wrong. If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at [email protected] and if you would like to receive our newsletter with 5 ideas to help you improve your leadership, then sign up at: https://thegreatcoaches.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Q: What role does leading innovation play in my leadership?

Q: Am I too unemotional as a leader?

Q: Is the idea of one voice at a time, the right idea for my organization?

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John Aloisi on Clarity, Cohesion and the Psychology of Coaching

We believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.

John Aloisi shares that great coaches stand out through clarity of identity, standards and message, making complex tactics simple and consistent so players know their roles. He explains how elite performance is often decided by mental strength and belief, reinforced through repetition of basics, aggressive “play without fear” attacking intent, and supportive team cohesion built through relationships and selection. Aloisi reflects on learning from difficult club environments at Melbourne Heart and Brisbane Roar, using media experience to communicate succinctly, and rebuilding belief at Western United by setting values and standards before tactics, adding experienced winners, and creating a hard-to-play-against base that led to an A-League championship. He also describes coping with coaching loneliness through trusted support networks and using affirmations, journaling and meditation to stay resilient.

Q. Do I verbalise gratitude enough?

Q. How can I better refine failure for my team?

Q. What mental strength training can I instigate for the team?

If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at [email protected] or contact us through our website thegreatcoachespodcast.com

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Sam Bird on Building London Pulse Through Service, Values, and World-Class Standards

We believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.

Sam Bird shares how seven knee operations ended her England netball playing career early, pushing her into a legal career with the Met Police that shaped her leadership through service, listening, and navigating high-stakes international negotiations—often as the only woman in the room. She explains how she rebuilt London Pulse from a last-place finish by recruiting “people before players,” prioritizing kindness, humility, hard work, loyalty, and a club-first mindset, while creating a supportive environment where athletes feel valued and can handle tough conversations. Taking on CEO duties in 2020, she learned to surround herself with trusted, capable people and grow the organization like a startup. Bird describes Lisa Alexander’s impact in raising standards, simplifying performance foundations, and strengthening “proud to be Pulse” identity across the pathway, while aiming to make Pulse the best club in the world and change lives through opportunity in London’s diverse community.

If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at [email protected] and if you would like to receive our newsletter with 5 ideas to help you improve your leadership, then sign up at: https://thegreatcoaches.beehiiv.com/subscribe

3 questions the interview with Sam challenged me with were:

•Is my organization the type of place where people know somebody will have their back if they are having a bad day?

•Am I engaging with me mentors enough to frame challenging questions of myself

•Am I calling out example of ambition and bravery enough?

If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at [email protected] or contact us through our website thegreatcoachespodcast.com

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Mickey Arthur: Standards, Trust, and Building Sustainable Winning Teams

We believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.

Mickey Arthur reflects on coaching across multiple countries and says great coaches stay ahead of trends, set clear structures, and build teams around roles, standards, and “non-negotiables.” He explains that trust-based relationships enable honest challenge, balancing care with professional distance, and that players thrive when given security, clear communication, and positive affirmation alongside targeted feedback. Arthur describes learning from early setbacks, including being sacked by Australia, and how reflection helped him adapt by first observing an environment before making change. He shares how stability and belief unlocked young talent in Pakistan, and why he prefers long-term development work over short franchise stints, aiming for sustainable brands that create reference points for performance.

If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at [email protected] and if you would like to receive our newsletter with 5 ideas to help you improve your leadership, then sign up at: https://thegreatcoaches.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Q: I don’t use non-negotiables as a leader and it made me wonder whether I should?

Q: This challenged me to consider whether there are times that I overtalk as a leader?

Q: This made me reflect on who I should be challenging more in my team?

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