Athletics
The Science Behind Increasing Mental Toughness & Reducing Stress
During my years working with Dr. John C. Maxwell, he told me a story from his boyhood. He recalls wrestling his older brother, Larry, in the living room. Larry was bigger and more experienced, which meant he beat John every single time. Over time, the defeats came quicker and quicker, as John became conditioned to…
Continue ReadingThe Key to Championship-Level Teams
Recently, I had the privilege to sit down for several hours with Dave Hart, who just retired after 35 years in NCAA intercollegiate athletics. Dave is a friend who’s now in a marvelous place to reflect on what he’s learned as a former athlete, as a coach and later as an administrator for some great…
Continue ReadingRecruiting for Leadership
I recently met with several NCAA Division One coaches to talk about building leadership in their student athletes. Almost everyone agreed that while today’s young athletes may be as gifted as ever, they usually come to college unable to lead their teammates. Or, perhaps a better term is—unwilling. Why? Few want to do the tough…
Continue Reading“Everyone Gets a Trophy:” The Best Mantra to Combat this Mindset
For more than a decade, articles have been written and conferences have been hosted to address the growing number of parents, coaches and teachers who promoted the “Everyone Gets a Trophy” mindset. This mindset started around the turn of the century to reward kids just for participating. We saw the need to affirm students just…
Continue ReadingA Job That Coaches Can’t Neglect
The story unfolds before our very eyes. Legendary head basketball coach Rick Pitino, of the Louisville Cardinals, received a clear message from the NCAA: “You can’t claim you didn’t know what was going on.” You’ve likely heard the story. Last month, the NCAA released its findings on the prostitutes and strippers invited to “serve” the…
Continue ReadingSix Simple Ways to Better Engage Generation Z
We are leading, coaching, parenting, and teaching kids who’ve never lived a day in the 20th century. They’ve only known a world of terrorism, recession, racial unrest, corporate scandals, under-employment and uncertainty. They’ve also only known a world of portable devices, multi-tasking, social media, multiple personas and a complex world where they are more about…
Continue ReadingThree Mindsets to Build in Students and Athletes: Podcast #47
Today, I’m excited to share with you a conversation with Joe Castiglione. Castiglione is currently the Athletic Director at the University of Oklahoma and the Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletic Programs. In 2009, Joe Castiglione was named National Athletic Director of the Year by the Sports Business Journal. Here are some highlights from our conversation.…
Continue ReadingSix Questions That Help Students Exceed Expectations
We’ve developed terms in our English language to describe certain mindsets. I decided to create one of our Habitudes® from two of them: Shortcuts and Second Miles. The Short Cut. This is a term we use to describe the act of getting around the system. When we find a way to shorten the process or reduce…
Continue ReadingThe Ingredient that Moves a Teen from Mediocre to Excellent
Growing up, my hero in major league baseball was Pete Rose. He played baseball with speed and energy. When at bat, if he was walked, he would run (not walk) to first base. He stole bases and popularized the head first slide back in the late 1960s. His sense of passion gave the Cincinnati Reds…
Continue ReadingEight Action Steps for Managing Team Expectations
When we work with athletic departments, under the leadership of J. T. Thoms, we almost always take surveys of both coaches and student athletes. They provide us with data that informs our events and ensures that our partnership is guided by their pain points. These surveys also furnish us with a clear picture of what…
Continue Reading