The Great Coaches: Leadership & Life

Our great coach on this episodes is Peter Giles. Peter is currently the Australian under 19 Baseball Head Coach. A role he has had since 2011. He started playing baseball in 1969, finished in 1994; and began coaching in 1995. He won a championship in 1998 with Sandringham; and then led Essendon in the Victorian State league to 6 successive championships from 2011 to 2018. He has also coached the Australian U17 Baseball Team in 2015 was voted baseball Victoria Coach of the year. In 2020 he launched the Academy of Baseball Excellence that he now heads up. If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at paul@thegreatcoachespodcast.com or contact us through our website thegreatcoachespodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Great Coach on this episode is American women's basketball coach Brenda FreseWhile injured as a player at the University of Arizona, Brenda volunteered as an assistant coach at Pima Community College. After graduation in 1994 she started as an assistant coach at Kent State.In 1999 she was appointed into her first Head Coach role at Ball state and then in 2002 to the University of Maryland. Her success with Maryland places her in the elite levels of women’s basketball, the highlights of which are:· 2006 NCAA Championship· the 2009 and 2012 ACC Championships· Big Ten champions in 2015· 4x Big Ten Coach of the Year (2002, 2015, 2019, 2021); National Coach of the year awards in 2021, 2013 and 2002· And a winning % of 78 at the end of the 2021 season.Brenda is the type of calm, spirited leader who can see a clear path forward when the anxiety within the team is at its apex.She is able to regulate her emotions, and response in such a way that it matches the moment and helps to build self-belief in others. She demands a lot from her athlete and support team, but you have the impression that she also gives more than she gets.There were many key parts of this interview but some of the key points that stayed with me afterwards were:Her view that great coaches are able to connect with people in a way that makes the person feel like they are worth a million dollars.Her view that women in leadership positions need to move beyond being grateful and lead the change they want to see.Her focus on positivity and bringing confident energy into practices and game day; as she this enables you to produce the best performance that you are capable of.If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at paul@thegreatcoachespodcast.com or contact us through our website thegreatcoachespodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Great Coach on this show is Philip Sutcliffe Sr.Philip is a former boxer, who represented Ireland at 1980 and 1984 Olympic Games. He is the winner of four national titles in Ireland, as well as bronze medals in two successive European Amateur Boxing Championships.In 1992, he and 2 friends; Paddy Wheelan and Gary Griffin took over the derelict Crumlin Boxing Club. Today that club has produced over 30 champions at local, national and Olympic level; and is notable as the club where Conor McGregor trained through his teenage years.Philip is a coach with a strong vocation to improve the lives of people through teaching them about discipline, self respect and belief through the sport of boxing.He believes in learning every day in the pursuit of trying to be better and in the merits of trying, of keeping on despite setbacks, so that you develop and grow. And in this conversation he talks about boxers who have risen to champion level through employing this approach to life.Philip is the type of coach who raises your expectations and then holds that line and encourages you toward it.Some of the other key highlights are:The role that self-belief plays in helping the fighter as they walk to the ring for their fight and the big difference a coach can make on that walk.The importance of physical and mental toughness in order to be able to move up the grades in boxing, and how he goes about developing strength in these areas for his fighters.And The stories he shares about 3 of the greats that he has helped train, Katie Taylor the two-time world champion and the current undisputed lightweight champion, world champion Michael Conlan and Ultimate Fighting Championship Connor Mcgregor.If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at paul@thegreatcoachespodcast.com or contact us through our website thegreatcoachespodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Great Coach on this episode is the Australian cricket coach Justin Langer.Justin represented Australia in 105 Tests, and in 2009 surpassed Sir Donald Bradman for the most runs scored at first-class level by an Australian.He retired in 2009 and transitioned into coaching, first as the Australian team batting coach, before becoming the head coach of Western Australia in 2012. over the next 6 years he led the team to victory in the One-Day Cup in 2015, and back to back Big Bash victories in 2014 and 2015.In 2018 he was appointed Coach of the Australian Mens team and led the team to an Ashes victory in 2019, their first on English soil since 2001Justin is an authentic leader, and believes that great team cultures have an environment where people are allowed to be themselves.He blends physicality and spirituality in his approach to life, and brings both into his coaching philosophy. And is driven by the desire to not only lead a successful cricket team but also to make Australians proud of the team.He is also a coach with a strong set of ethical principles, but also as a father of 4, he understands that you can’t treat all your children the same, and so sometimes you have to be flexible to connect with an individual and help them realise their potential.Some of the key parts of this interview that resonated with me were:The role that mentors have played in his life, and the stories he shares about the times these people have given him advice that has changed his mindset and behaviours.How he describes the values of the Australian cricket team honesty, professionalism, humility, learning, and mate ship. And how it’s the last one, mateship that glues the team together.And How great leaders are clear on the path the team is going to take , and how ongoing honest conversations ensure that the team continues to stay true to this path.This interview left me inspired and self reflective and I hope you get as much out of it as I did.If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at paul@thegreatcoachespodcast.com or contact us through our website thegreatcoachespodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Great Coach on this episode is Norma Plummer.Norma played Netball for Australia and was part of the 1975 team that won the World Netball Championships. In 1996 she coached the Melbourne Pumas to win the inaugural Super League Grand Final and Victorian Open Championship.In 2003 she was appointed coach of the Australian Team, leading them to 67 victories from 89 Tests, including the 2007 and 2011 the Netball World Championship.In 2015 she took on the job as Head Coach of South Africa and retired in 2019 having taken them from a world ranking of 8th to 4th.In 2013 Norma was s awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for her services to the sport of Netball.Norma is iconic coach whose influence has spread far beyond the sport of netball. She is unflinchingly honest, and passionate in her belief of treating all athletes fairly and equally.Her coaching career has spanned 6 decades and representative teams from 4 countries, and from this experience she is able to distill deep truths on human effort and collaboration which are still fresh and relevant today.We spoke while Norma was in lockdown in her home in Australia, and she was frustrated by this as she wanted to be courtside in NZ watching Jess Thrilby, the coach of the England team, who she mentors take on the silver ferns. However this trapped energy provided the impetus for a great conversation, so of the highlights of which were:The importance of bringing your own personality and style as a coach, but also understanding the history of the team so that you can identify the right change that is needed. And how this change might only just be one thing, but if it’s the right thing it can make a big difference.The importance of training under pressure so that it improves your decision making in the game.And The positive impact you can have on the team as a coach, if you are able to manage your emotions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Great Coach on this episode is  Sir Gordon Tietjens.Gordon is the former coach of the New Zealand men's national team in rugby sevens; the All Blacks Sevens.He started coaching the team in 1994 and had immediate success winning the Hong Kong 7’s.He then went on to win the 7’s world series on a record 12 times. Along the way the team also won the world cup in 2001 and 2013, and 4 Commonwealth Games gold medals.He stepped down as the coach in 2016 and took on the head coach of Somoa.He has been inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame and in 2013 was knighted for his services to Rugby.Gordon is a coach with a life-long commitment to the service of people development. As the coach of the All Black 7’s for 22 years, he helped 47 of his players go on to represent New Zealand Rugby Union. And on that list are some of the all time greats like Jonah Lomu and Christian Cullen.He is fiercely determined and fired by a deep sense confidence that comes from the effort that goes into the preparation and planning of his teams.He also believes in the importance of nutrition, and intense training regimes that are intended to be tougher than anything they would face in an actual match as this prepares the athletes for better decision making when they are in the heat of battle on the field.After interviewing Sir Gordon, I can see why New Zealand is considered one of the most proud sporting nation on the planet.In this discussion some of the key highlights for me were:How he helps people build self-belief by encouraging them to express themselves as individuals and not be afraid of making mistakes.His views on mental toughness and the traffic light system he uses to classify players.The terrific story he shares about Roger Federer crying to illustrate his point that losing although painful, does not necessarily mean failure when you've given it your all.And How the onus is on the coach to select the right people who believe in the teams culture. And the importance of character and coachability in selecting these team members.If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at paul@thegreatcoachespodcast.com or contact us through our website thegreatcoachespodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Great Coach on this episode is Rodney Eade.Rodney is a four time premiership player in the Australian Football League.After retiring he started his coaching apprenticeship, and within 5 years was elevated into his first head coach role at the Sydney Swans, taking over from the legendary Ron Barassi in 1996In his first year he took the time to the Grand Final, only for them to lose to the Kangaroos; as a result he was awarded as the AFL Coach of the year in. He went on to take the team into the finals for 4 of the next 5 years.In 2005 he was appointed Head Coach of the Western Bulldogs, and in 2006 the team played finals for the first time in 6 years.In 2011 he was appointed Football and Coaching Strategist by the Collingwood Football Club, replacing the iconic coach Mick Malthouse.And in 2014 was appointed Gold Coast Suns coach.He has coached 377 AFL games, and owns the record of the longest serving coach without a premiership.Rodney Eade has played for some of the most iconic coaches that the game of Australian Football has ever produced. He has also coached players who have gone on to lead their own teams to Premierships.As a leader, he strives to find the balance between challenge and care, in order to, in his words, get the best our of the individual. He is self-reflective and mindful of some of the things he could have done better as a coach. But he is also firm in his belief, that change comes through hard work and an open and curious mind where the individual takes ownership of their own learning and problem solving.Rodney is a great example of perseverance, and some of the key parts of this interview that connected with me were:The importance of innovation and change to team performance, and how the leader needs to create the mindset within the group for this to happen.How culture is displayed through the teams habits, which are in turn formed by the values that the team sets themselves. And where culture is self-regulating it is much more effective as it works against negativity.And how Great coaches have a consistency of message; are honest, have integrity and are not afraid to make hard decisions.If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at paul@thegreatcoachespodcast.com or contact us through our website thegreatcoachespodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Great Coach on this episode is basketball coach, and former All-American point guard Pokey Chatman.Pokey started her coaching career as a student assistant in 1991 while finishing her degree at Louisiana state university. She then became an assistant coach, before becoming the teams head coach in 2004. As a head coach she had an immediate impact leading the team to 3 consecutive NCAA final fours.In 2007 she moved to Russia to coach Spartak Moscow, and in 2010 led them to the Euroleague title.In 2010 she moved back to the USA to coach the Chicago Sky in the WNBA, taking the team into the playoffs for the first time in their history.She then went on to coach the Indiana Fever.She has also coached the Slovakian National team, been an assistant for USA teams and won numerous coach of the year awards., including the Black Coaches Association's Coach of the Year in 2004 and 2005.Pokey is a coach who epitomizes resilience. Her story is marked by second chances and the hard work needed to rise above the challenges you face.She is humble and yet determined, and believes that you should never let your ego get in the way of what the moment needs.The key parts of this interview that I reflected on afterwards wereHer view that Great coaches are authentic leaders who are able to create, cultivate, maintain, and manage relationships in an emotionally intelligent way.Her advice on improving your team tomorrow by ensuring the that everyone on the organisation has a personal development plan and that the staff commit 20 minutes everyday to helping individuals with this plan.The power of asking questions of both yourself and the player in a bid to improve.If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at paul@thegreatcoachespodcast.com or contact us through our website thegreatcoachespodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Great Coach on this episode is Stuart Lancaster.Stuart played Rugby for Leeds and was the first player to reach 100 games for the club. He transitioned into coaching in 2000 initially leading youth teams until he was appointed Head Coach of Leeds in 2007. From there he moved into coaching ngland teams before being appointed England Head coach in 2011. He took the team to the Rugby World Cup in 2015 where they were unfortunately eliminated in the group stage.Stuart now coaches for Leinster Rugby in Dublin, where he has had great success winning the European Champions Cup in 2018, and the Pro 14 in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021; and the Celtic Cup in 2019 and 2020.Stuart is a coach with a deep passion for his craft. He is driven to learn and develop, and has visited some of the worlds great sporting and leadership organisations in a bid to share his knowledge and acquire theirs.Stuart has experienced some wonderful highs and disappointing lows in his career and this also infuses his story with a healthy dose of humility and unflinching honesty. His philosophy is player centered, and focuses on balancing teaching with in the moment feedback, and through this he develops strong relationships with his players and the staff around him.The key parts of the interview that connected with me wereHow the great coaches have the capacity to pick the right tool out of the bag at the right time, alongside technical excellence, integrity and a good dose of honesty.How he first deals with disruptive influences within a team by trying to lift their self awareness, through gathering feedback from across the team and presenting it to the athlete.The importance of humility in the teams culture.And wanting to leaving a legacy where his focus on development has been an inspiration to others, and helped them go on to become coaches.If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at paul@thegreatcoachespodcast.com or contact us through our website thegreatcoachespodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Great Coach on this episode is Tom Ryan.Tom Ryan is a former All-American college wrestler, and now coach of the Ohio State Wrestling team.During his collegiate wrestling career, he was a member of the University of Iowa 1991 and 1992 NCAA and Big Ten championship teams.He became a Head Wrestling coach at Hofstra University in New York in 1995 leading them to six consecutive conference titles from 2001 to 2006. He then moved to Iowa to coach, and in 2015 Led the wrestling program to the NCAA National Championship.He has won multiple coach of the year awards, and at present is the owner of a 76% match winning ratio.From the highs of winning championships and coaching Olympic Gold medalists to the unimaginable loss of his own child; Tom Ryan is a coach with a deep appreciation for the pain that can either de-rail or elevate your life.His coaching philosophy is infused with a focus on truth and love, Truth to help you see the areas where you can develop; and love so you have the confidence that you will be supported as you develop and grow.I chased Tom for 6 months to get this interview, and I am so glad I did. His lessons on leadership and life are truly universal; and some of the key ones for me wereHow the coaches role is to reduce stress through controlling their emotions. This reduces tension in the athlete and allows them to focus on the task at hand.Giving feedback the moment a skill is not being executed properly in a way that is productive . And how great athletes truthfully assess themselves in a way that allows an accurate development plan to put in place.The great story he shares about the prisoner of war James Stockdale and the importance of combining optimism with realism.And wanting to leave a legacy of helping people to learn to love deeply; and with a few Olympic and World Champions along the way.If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at paul@thegreatcoachespodcast.com or contact us through our website thegreatcoachespodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.