🏆 The Locker Room Pulse

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• The Locker Room Pulse 🏆

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💭 ONE THOUGHT
🏆 The Locker Room Pulse

What is the pulse of your locker room? Who takes the pulse in your locker room?

These are critical questions for coaches to ask themselves.

It is often said that the true culture of a team is what happens when the coach is not around. In other words, what happens behind the scenes, in school, outside of school, or in the locker room?

This is why team leaders are so important to a team.

Team leaders are key “Gatekeepers” of the team culture.

As a coach, it is critical that we do three things with our team leaders:

1. Determine who they are.

2. Systematically grow and develop them.

3. Have a consistent check-in plan with team leaders throughout the season.

1. Who are your team leaders?

I am a big believer in collective leadership.

Collective leadership WINS.

To have collective leadership, we have to celebrate and recognize collective leadership. Make sure your players know what collective leadership is and their role in their own leadership on your team.

Here is my list of the 7 Types of Collective Leaders All Teams Need.

I talk about these collective leaders throughout the season. I try to celebrate the critical roles that these players have throughout the season as well. I try to empower the concept of collective leadership and its importance on successful teams.

I am also purposeful in how we select team captains. And we will do it differently each season. It all depends on our team.

If you do select team captains, I would make sure you guide your players through a process to understand what you expect and look for in a leader.

You do not want captains determined through a popularity contest.

One tool I use to help my team understand captain selection is my FREE Pre-Season Self-Perception Form. I use this form for many other purposes as well, including role definition before a season. It is one of my most popular free downloads.

2. How do you grow and develop your leaders?

Once you know who your leaders or captains are, you need to grow and develop them systemically.

I believe that you can either “hope and wish” for team leaders, or you can purposely work to develop them.

When coaches “hope and wish” for team leaders, they are just waiting for that perfect year when the right “team leader” walks through the door and gives hope to have a magical season.

I believe this can create a defeatist mindset.

This is why I created the Team Leader OS: The Ultimate Leadership Resource for Coaches. To provide systemic ways for coaches to grow and develop their team leaders.

With 200+ minutes of video, 300+ pages of Leadership Resources, and a 20-lesson Team Leader Training Manual, the Team Leader OS has everything a coach needs to develop leaders.

Whatever program or system you use, just be purposeful in developing your leaders.

Your leaders are the Gatekeepers of your Team Culture. Ensure you and them are on the same page and work to develop them each and every year.

3. Consistent Check-Ins.

Finally, to manage the locker room and monitor the pulse, ensure you constantly check in and talk with your team leaders.

Ask them reflective questions…

• How is the locker room?

• Are we connected?

• Anything I should be aware of?

• Anything you need from me?

• Any small fires you have had to put out?

• How is our culture?

• Are any cliques forming?

• Do we need any team building?

• Are we losing anyone's engagement?

Consistent conversation with team leaders is critical. Seasons are long, and a lot can happen.

These discussions can prevent small fires from turning into large infernos.

Summary:

Finding the Locker Room Pulse is critical for coaches. Ensure you are following up with team leaders to ensure your Locker Room Pulse is consistent with the culture you want on your team.

Team Leaders Matter.

1. Determine who they are.

2. Systematically grow and develop them.

3. Have a consistent check-in plan with team leaders throughout the season.

Good Luck!

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