The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons

In this episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons, we revisit Oregon State coach Mitch Canham's powerful reflection after a crushing postseason loss that forced his team to regroup and respond. His message underscores a truth every leader faces. Loss is not an interruption to the journey. It is part of the curriculum that shapes who we become. With calm perspective and gratitude, Canham reminds us that setbacks carry lessons about faith, resilience, and the long game of leadership. When we choose to let adversity teach us rather than define us, we strengthen our purpose and prepare ourselves for the opportunities that await on the other side of disappointment.The Daily Coach's first hardcover and kindle book is here. “Hiring” is a collection of The Daily Coach’s best stories on the topic. This book is not a hiring formula, but a practical reference for coaches and leaders involved in team building. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Secure your copy of Hiring today.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

In this episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons, we revisit a powerful idea from Michael Crichton about how easily we doubt experts in one moment and trust them completely in the next. Through the lens of NFL draft grades, we explore the Gelman amnesia effect and why even seasoned executives fall for it. This story is a reminder that leaders must protect their judgment, resist the pull of outside noise, and trust the expertise they have earned.The Daily Coach's first hardcover and kindle book is here. “Hiring” is a collection of The Daily Coach’s best stories on the topic. This book is not a hiring formula, but a practical reference for coaches and leaders involved in team building. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Secure your copy of Hiring today.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

In this episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons, we revisit Ernie Johnson's powerful reflection on uncertainty during the final Inside the NBA broadcast on TNT. As the iconic show prepared for a new chapter, Johnson reminded viewers that real leadership is rooted in focusing on what remains within reach. He shared that while change is inevitable, we can always choose our attitude, our effort, and how we treat the people around us. His message invites us to release what we cannot influence and return to the present moment with clarity and intention. It is a timely lesson for leaders navigating transition, reminding us that meaning and momentum are created through what we choose to control today.The Daily Coach's first hardcover and kindle book is here. “Hiring” is a collection of The Daily Coach’s best stories on the topic. This book is not a hiring formula, but a practical reference for coaches and leaders involved in team building. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Secure your copy of Hiring today.⁠⁠⁠⁠Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

In this episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons, we revisit the legacy of Cornell Lacrosse Senior Captain George Boiardi through the philosophy known as The Hard Hat Way. His leadership wasn’t defined by what was loud, but by what was lived in the quiet, ordinary friction of team life. He held standards by showing up early, circling back for the last teammate, sweeping floors, and smiling at everyone he met with the same light. Cornell’s championship season proved that culture built in small actions repeated consistently becomes identity, not momentary inspiration. The lesson for every leader is clear: true impact comes from how you carry your standards, especially when no one is watching.The Daily Coach's first hardcover and kindle book is here. “Hiring” is a collection of The Daily Coach’s best stories on the topic. This book is not a hiring formula, but a practical reference for coaches and leaders involved in team building. ⁠⁠⁠Secure your copy of Hiring today.⁠⁠⁠Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

In this episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons, we revisit how Neil Diamond found breakthrough through awareness and quiet iteration. Facing the need for one defining song, he didn’t wait for momentum, he looked around long enough to notice inspiration in a simple photograph. His story teaches leaders that creativity isn’t unlocked by pressure or timelines, it’s unlocked by presence and action. Winning the inner draft means doing the reps, working the edits, and trusting the process before applause arrives. Breakthrough comes to those who stay aware, rewrite honestly, and act decisively when the spark appears.The Daily Coach's first hardcover and kindle book is here. “Hiring” is a collection of The Daily Coach’s best stories on the topic. This book is not a hiring formula, but a practical reference for coaches and leaders involved in team building. ⁠⁠Secure your copy of Hiring today.⁠⁠Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

In this episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons, we revisit Emma Hayes’s remarkable example of how a leader can leave a team stronger than they found it. After twelve years of success at Chelsea, Hayes chose to depart with intention and generosity, preparing the environment for her successor Sonja Bompastor to thrive. Instead of protecting her legacy, she supported the transition and continued to cheer the team forward. Her approach shows that true leadership is not about being irreplaceable. It is about building people, systems, and cultures that grow even when we are no longer in the room.The Daily Coach's first hardcover and kindle book is here. “Hiring” is a collection of The Daily Coach’s best stories on the topic. This book is not a hiring formula, but a practical reference for coaches and leaders involved in team building. ⁠Secure your copy of Hiring today.⁠Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

In this episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons, we revisit Sam Presti’s powerful example of patient and intentional leadership during a period of major transition for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Presti chose reflection over reaction when the franchise moved on from its star players, articulating a clear vision grounded in process, discipline, and long-term thinking. His public letter to the community became a roadmap for building something that would last, reminding us that true excellence is created through method, honesty, and the courage to commit to the long game. This episode explores how leaders can guide teams through uncertainty, inspire belief, and create a culture that grows stronger with time.The Daily Coach's first hardcover and kindle book is here. “Hiring” is a collection of The Daily Coach’s best stories on the topic. This book is not a hiring formula, but a practical reference for coaches and leaders involved in team building. Secure your copy of Hiring today.Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

In this episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons, we revisit Will Guidara’s challenge to leaders who default to copying others rather than forging their own path. Guidara urged his team at Eleven Madison Park to study shortcomings instead of successes, believing that real innovation begins in the overlooked gaps. His approach reminds us that extraordinary leadership is built on curiosity, discernment, and the courage to move beyond imitation. Rather than relying on formulas or familiar playbooks, he encourages leaders to identify what is missing, question assumptions, and craft experiences that reflect their own values and vision. This episode invites us to rethink how we learn, how we improve, and how we create moments that stand apart by daring to lead differently.Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

In this episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons, we revisit the story of Branch Rickey and legendary scout Tony Lucadello, whose approach to evaluating talent transformed Major League Baseball. This episode explores Lucadello’s Four Ps of scouting and how these categories offer a practical blueprint for leaders who want to look beyond surface level judgments and recognize real potential. From his early days in Fostoria to discovering future Hall of Famers, Lucadello’s life reminds us that exceptional leaders see what others miss. His method challenges us to project talent rather than label it, to evaluate the evaluator, and to lead with deeper insight and courage in every decision we make.Our new Daily Coach Library Card gives you searchable access to every story we’ve ever written. Search by topic, challenge, or leader to instantly find the right article to teach, inspire, or motivate your team. Explore it now at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠search.thedaily.coach⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

In this episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons, we revisit Bill Walsh’s masterful response to watching all of his top NFL Draft targets come off the board within minutes. Instead of panicking, Walsh calmly rebuilt his plan, redirected his staff, gathered more assets, and ultimately produced one of the most successful draft classes in league history. His approach is a powerful reminder that leadership is not about sticking to the first plan but about staying composed, thinking clearly under pressure, and finishing strong when circumstances change.Our new Daily Coach Library Card gives you searchable access to every story we’ve ever written. Search by topic, challenge, or leader to instantly find the right article to teach, inspire, or motivate your team. Explore it now at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠search.thedaily.coach⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe