Brian Kelly- New Age Leadership

(February 2009 from OHSFCA Clinic)

7 Steps of Leadership:

1. Character

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You better walk the walk when you are a coach

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Coaches need high character because: players need someone to follow when things get tough

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A person of high character models the right decisions and eliminates uncertainty

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Demand good character from the youngest to the older in your program

2. Create Collaborative Cohesion

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Everyone on staff has input and give your players the opportunity to express input on the program

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Coaches must have a plan to create a buy-in of the vision by players and coaches

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During teaching moments (practice, film meetings, position group meetings, staff meetings, etc.),Seek to stimulate, create, and excite those individuals

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When every player and coach understands and more importantly takes pride their role in the program, success will follow

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No talk in front of players on who’s starting next season

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Head Coaches must remember that everyone is seeking self validation for their work.

3. Morale

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Ask yourself, what are you selling (body language, verbal and non verbal communication)?

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Unexpected and appreciated changes can boost morale (short practice, t-shirts, food, cards, phonecalls/text messages saying good job today

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Understand and promote that you must be able to delegate to others to get things done

4. Know What You’re Good At

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All leaders have similar goals but may reach them based on their own personal strengths

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Know what your staff’s strengths are and then delegate to them (i.e. Assistant Coach Smith isvery technology smart and you trust him to handle video responsibilities for the team)

5. Have A Change-Ready Mentality

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Good football teams have the ability to adapt to sudden change

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Good head coaches are willing to change the way things are done (no more “but that’s how wealways did it”)

6. The Head Coach

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Leaders are no longer commanders, but maestros and visionaries

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Head coaches are the person who puts all the pieces together to create a team

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Coach up your staffs (in private) to improve the overall coaching ability of your staff