John C. Maxwell famously said, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” Winning programs, healthy cultures, and lasting influence all begin with the leader. Before you can build a great team, you must first build yourself.
Every day you are building something. Every practice, every conversation, every decision, and every response shapes the lives of the athletes God has entrusted to your care. Coaching is about more than developing athletes. It is about building people.
This Leadership Study is part of For The Coach, a ministry dedicated to encouraging and equipping coaches to Press On and Lead Well. Whether you’re reading this before our Leadership Roundtable, following along during our discussion, or reviewing it afterward, my hope is that it challenges and encourages you to become the leader your players need.
Build Yourself
Before you can build a team, you must first build yourself.
Be the Example
- Live what you expect.
- Leadership begins with the leader.
Never Stop Growing
- Grow spiritually, personally, and professionally.
- Great coaches never stop learning.
Set the Standard
- Your habits shape your culture.
- Character sets the ceiling for leadership.
Proverbs 4:23; 1 Timothy 4:12
“Leaders of character produce organizations of character because character… is infectious.” — Albert Mohler
Build Your Team
You coach a sport, but you build people.
Give Them Your Best
- Coach every rep.
- The little things become the big things.
Be Fully Invested
- Grow where God has planted you.
- Give your best to the players you have today.
Be Intentional
- Every player matters.
- Every conversation matters.
- Every moment is a teachable moment.
Proverbs 16:3; Colossians 3:23
Build Your Legacy
Legacy is built one faithful day at a time.
“One coach will impact more young people in one year than the average person does in a lifetime.” — Billy Graham
Win the Day
- Be faithful today.
- Every moment matters.
Do the Next Right Thing
- Who you are speaks louder than what you say.
- Model the culture you want to build.
Trust the Process (Trust God with the results.)
- Building people takes time.
- Faithfully plant seeds that will outlive you.
Proverbs 27:17