- Great Teams Better Leaders
- Posts
- 🏆 3 Real Situations Every Team Leader Will Face
🏆 3 Real Situations Every Team Leader Will Face
Real situations. Real conversations. Real leadership growth. Free resource inside.
Greg Berge
October 23, 2025
👋 Good morning! ‘Great Teams Better Leaders’ is written by Greg Berge. Do you have an idea or something to share? Just hit reply - I read and respond to every message. Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe for free.
Let’s dive in.
🔗 LINKS FOR LEADERS
🎥 Video: Lessons in Leadership from Coach K [LINK]
🆇 ICYMI: Why Parents Sit Alone [LINK]
📰 Article: The Hidden Side of Winning
💭 ONE THOUGHT
3 Real Situations Every Team Leader Will Face
Every coach wants great leaders.
But leadership doesn’t grow from quotes or speeches.
It grows in the moments that test your team:
when someone cuts corners, when effort drops, when no one’s watching.
That’s why I built a brand-new resource inside the Team Leader OS, my full system for developing team leaders the right way.
It’s called 25 Leadership Scenarios, and it helps your players learn leadership through action, not talk.
Below are 3 real examples you can use with your team.
At the end, you can download the complete resource for free and get 25% off Team Leader OS to unlock the whole system.
Scenario 1: Teammate Effort
Situation: A teammate consistently shows up late and goes half-speed in drills.
Leader Tip: Standards are only real if teammates hold each other to them. As a leader, you don’t need to yell, but you do need to address it. Start privately, stay respectful, and connect effort to the bigger picture. The goal is to correct, not embarrass.
Example Response: “Hey, I’ve noticed you’ve been showing up late and not really locked in during drills. That hurts the team because everyone’s watching, and it lowers our standard. I know you can give more, and we need it from you. Can we count on you to step it up?”
Coach Debrief
• Why is it better to handle this privately instead of in front of the whole team?
• What happens to team standards if leaders let effort slide?
• How can leaders show they’re holding themselves to the same standard first?
Scenario 2: Playing Time Frustration
Situation: A teammate says, “Coach doesn’t like me. That’s why I’m not playing.”
Leader Tip: Frustration over minutes is common. A leader’s job is not to make promises or coach decisions, but to help teammates focus on what they can control: effort, attitude, and preparation. Leaders protect trust in the coach while keeping teammates engaged.
Example Response: “I get that it’s tough. But it’s not about who coach likes or doesn’t like. It’s about how you can help the team. The best way to earn more minutes is to control what you can: go hard in practice, bring energy, and stay ready. We need you.”
Coach Debrief:
• Why is it dangerous for leaders to agree with complaints about coaches?
• How can leaders redirect frustration into motivation?
• What message does this send about accountability?
Scenario 3: Negativity in the Locker Room
Situation: After a losing streak, players start making negative comments about the team and coaches.
Leader Tip: Negativity spreads faster than positivity. Leaders must stop it before it becomes culture. This doesn’t mean silencing teammates; it means redirecting toward solutions and accountability.
Example Response: “I know we’re frustrated, but complaining won’t change anything. If we want this to turn around, it starts with us: effort, focus, and sticking together. Let’s talk about what we can do better, not just what’s wrong.”
Coach Debrief:
• What’s the difference between honest feedback and negativity?
• How does one negative voice influence the whole room?
• How can leaders model solution-focused talk after tough losses?
Get 25 Leadership Scenarios (FREE): These are the kinds of conversations that build leadership muscle. They teach athletes to think like leaders, speak with courage, and protect the culture when it’s most vulnerable. Download the free 11-page resource here 👉. |  |
BONUS: For a limited time, get 25% off Team Leader OS: the complete leadership system for student-athletes that includes this resource, 20 video-based lessons, and everything you need to build the leaders your team needs to win.
25% off Coupon Code = TL25
“The Team Leader OS has everything needed to improve the leadership of our student/athletes. The systematic way the Video Course is laid out is tremendous, with perfect pacing.”
Reflection:
What real situation could you turn into a leadership lesson this week?
Good luck!
Greg
📜 GREAT QUOTES
“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”
“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sail. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
GO PRO!
🚨 Coaches: Want a 24/7 assistant built just for you?
Upgrade to GTBL PRO and unlock the Coach OS AI - instant help with practice plans, leadership tools, culture builders, parent talks, and more.
What is included with GTBL PRO?
💡The Coach OS AI
🥇 The Winner’s Circle Premier Sunday Newsletter
🥇 The Edge Tuesday Premier Newsletter
🧠 GB1 Notion Swipe Files
💰 20% off all GB1 products
➕ And more on the way!
𝐗 POSTS FROM OTHERS
We’re training a generation to fear failure.
Not because they’re soft or lazy, because everything they do is on display.
Every test score, every game, every rejection lives forever online.
When life becomes performative, failure feels like a public referendum on your worth.
— Steve Magness (@stevemagness)
1:04 PM • Oct 19, 2025
Confidence isn’t the enemy of humility—ego is.
The best players aren’t loud about themselves.
They’re loud about details, effort, and teammates.
Be hard to impress and easy to coach.
When the standard is bigger than your ego, performance follows.— The Winning Difference (@thewinningdiff1)
11:36 AM • Oct 19, 2025
After ASU’s blowout loss at Utah Kenny Dillingham ramped up practice physicality, and it’s here to stay:
"Have more fun working harder than anybody in the country... I lost that. We will never ever not practice to the physical level we did this week again."
@SunDevilSource
— Jakob Brooks (@Jakobrooks)
1:06 AM • Oct 19, 2025
📚 LOOKING FOR RESOURCES?
Save big when you bundle ALL of my paid resources for coaches into the MEGA Bundle!
Culture Wins OS: The Culture Wins OS is a step-by-step system for coaches who want to build a strong, intentional team culture that lasts. It includes short video lessons, plug-and-play templates, and a powerful, custom AI tool you can use right away. Whether you're just starting to define your culture or want to take it to the next level, this gives you a clear, proven blueprint to build a team-first environment, without the overwhelm. |  |
The Team Leader OS: The Team Leader OS is a simple, powerful leadership system for coaches who want to build real leaders. It’s packed with short videos, ready-to-use tools, and practical strategies you can implement immediately. Whether you're starting a leadership program or looking to strengthen your team culture, this gives you a clear path forward without adding to your workload. |  |
Better Coach OS: Better Coach OS is a practical masterclass for coaches who want to grow beyond the X’s and O’s. It covers everything from leadership and communication to culture, motivation, and handling tough situations—delivered in short, actionable lessons. Whether you're a new coach or a veteran, it's built to help you lead with confidence and clarity. |  |
👀 LOOKING FOR MORE?
Interested in Sponsoring an Issue? Reply to this email or click here: Sponsor Great Team Better Leaders.
Are you seeking a Culture or Leadership workshop for your team or school? Contact Greg for more information.
Check out my website for more: www.gb1leadership.com
Need resources? www.gberge.gumroad.com
Contact Me: Greg Berge, [email protected]
Reply