Win More, Live Better

As coaches and leaders, we’re often conditioned to hunt big wins, but we can't lose sight that smaller victories and progress is essential for driving human behavior. Based on research by Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer, we’ll dive into what progress actually looks like in a coaching context and how to notice more nuanced aspects of development with those you serve. You’ll walk away with strategies to help your people see their own growth and stay motivated through the process.For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

You can’t lead from a distance. In this episode, we explore the leadership habit of “going and seeing the work," a principle rooted in system dynamics and coined by MIT professor, Nelson Repenning. If you want to evaluate or improve your system, don’t guess. Observe. As coaches and leaders, our decisions are only as good as the information we’re using and proximity brings clarity. This episode is about how "going and seeing the work" helps remove distance between leaders and their systems and improve their problem solving. For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

This episode is about realigning priorities and asking the deeper questions like "Who are you becoming at home while you're chasing success in your career?" It's inspired by a moving quote from college basketball coach, Buzz Williams, and I explore the idea that being excellent professionally should never come at the cost of being present personally. This conversation will help you redefine what success really looks like and ensure that you "win" both personally and professionally.For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

Mike Candrea is one of the most accomplished and respected coaches in the history of college athletics. As the former head coach of the University of Arizona softball program, Candrea led the Wildcats to 8 national championships, 24 Women’s College World Series appearances, and compiled a record 1,674 career victories (the most in NCAA softball history at the time of his retirement). He coached 53 NCAA All-Americans across his storied career.He also coached Team USA to an Olympic gold medal in 2004 and a silver medal in 2008. He currently serves as a Special Advisor in Athletics at the University of Arizona, continuing to mentor coaches and shape the culture of the unversity's athletic department. In addition to his impact as a coach, Coach Candrea was also a pioneer in the sport as the University of Arizona became the first school to build an on-campus facility dedicated to softball with the construction of the original Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium in 1993. After Candrea’s retirement in 2021, the venue officially became Mike Candrea Field at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.Here's some notable highlights from our conversation:[22:28] — The 3 C's of His Coaching Philosophy[33:34] — Defining Success Beyond the Championships[37:37] — Being Where Your Feet Are[42:18] — Failing Forward[53:27] — The 1% Better Mentality[1:01:12] — Working Smarter, Not Harder[1:08:34] — How to Create Balance in Pursuit of ExcellenceMore Resources from Zach:For more practical tools and mindset stories, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

Sometimes leadership lessons hide in the simplest family moments. In this episode, I share a story from a recent trip with my family, where my toddler found joy in tossing pine cones through the fence. We explore how a moment of childlike play revealed three important principles for coaches and leaders: 1) The importance of simplicity, 2) the role of presence, and 3) how great leaders make joy repeatable. For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

In this episode, we explore a powerful reflection question that can help you eliminate distractions and live with a greater sense of clarity. At the heart of this episode is the notion that the quality of your life is often shaped by the quality of the questions you ask yourself. My hope is that the question we discuss can become a useful and re-occurring tool for you to audit and optimize your own life.For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

In this episode, we explore a powerful metaphor from the world of horse racing. It's one that can remind all of us on the importance of clarity with our focus. Just like jockeys change their goggles mid-race to see clearly, high performers must do the same when life gets muddy. Whether you're in the middle of a season, a project, or a rough stretch, this episode invites you to reset and re-establish clarity with the race or path in front of you.For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

Ever been halfway through something hard and thought, “What if I just bailed right now and pretended this never happened?” Yep. You’re not alone. In this episode, we talk about the invisible bell we’re all tempted to ring when life gets tough. (Spoiler: It’s not just Navy SEALs who have one). You’ll hear why your brain freaks out when things are uncertain and a famous quote from Kobe Bryant on why he refused to compromise his standards.For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

What if the most powerful school you’ll ever attend doesn’t have a campus, a tuition bill, or a graduation date? In this episode, we explore a modern perspective on mentorship and learning. We discuss the “faculty” we can learn from each and every day at work, at home, and online. We'll discuss how to notice the "teachers" around you constantly, learn from them, and curate a life full of people who make you better. For more practical tools and mindset stories like this, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/

Today's guest, Kevin Eastman, has spent over 40 years in the game of basketball, coaching and leading at the highest levels and studying why the best are the best.His career includes 13 years in the NBA as an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics and LA Clippers, as well as serving as the Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Clippers. He was a key member of the 2008 Boston Celtics coaching staff that captured an NBA Championship and has coached in two NBA All-Star Games.In addition to his NBA career, Kevin served for 22 years as a collegiate coach (11 as Head Coach). Throughout his journey, Kevin has worked with some of the game’s most iconic players including LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Steph Curry, Ray Allen, Kevin Durant and many others. After his coaching career, he's become a sought-after speaker for corporate groups and sports teams known for his practical wisdom and commitment to excellence. He’s also the best-selling author of Why the Best Are the Best.Here's some notable highlights from our conversation:[12:07] — Memorizing vs. Internalizing for Learning[19:17] — The 3 I's and Levels of Leadership[25:51] — Memorable lesson from Jay Bilas[36:28] — "Weeding the Garden" as an Assistant Coach[43:49] — Self-Awareness and Knowing Your GAPS[47:37] — Evaluating Yourself in the Offseason[52:47] — Telling the Truth[1:02:28] — Being a Quality Assistant CoachMore Resources from Kevin:Why the Best Are the Best -- https://www.amazon.com/Why-Best-Are-Powerful-Champions/dp/1642250252/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3DCKLZTD7I0EC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Ix3t3ZOKYL2_Dh11qjM5WhPRe2FwHJ3dOGZlXtG8zBTGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.AidyJPS-eEeLY11RaUgow-41p-xr0lr9Dfl36UR_Sn8&dib_tag=se&keywords=why+the+best+are+the+best+kevin+eastman&qid=1752441740&sprefix=why+the+best+are+the+best+kevin+eastma%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-1Kevin's website -- https://kevineastman.net/More Resources from Zach:For more practical tools and mindset stories, you can subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://winningwithwords.beehiiv.com/If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/