Leadership Lessons from the DugOut
from the ball field to the board room
Category: Uncategorized
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One of the biggest mistakes we make as coaches, leaders, and managers is assuming trust automatically comes with the title. Too often, coaches believe young players will trust them simply because they are the “expert” or the adult in the room. The reality is, trust does not come with a whistle, a lineup card, or…
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During any given game, it’s very likely that one of the few things you’ll hear me yell at a player is, “Take a breath and focus.” What I’m trying to remind them to do is simple—but not easy: block out all the outside noise—fan chatter, the opposing bench, runners on base—and lock in on the…
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One of the best parts about both watching and coaching sports—at any level—is that there is no script. While patterns may repeat, no two games are ever exactly the same. The same is true in leadership. Situations may feel familiar, but the details are always changing. The best players and coaches understand this. They don’t…
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A Major League Baseball season stretches across 162 games. College baseball and softball seasons run around 50. High school and youth seasons may only reach 20. No matter the level, the ultimate goal is the same—win the World Series, the College World Series, or a State Championship. Those are the big results everyone sees. But…
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Adjustments are Key to Success! In both baseball and leadership, our first attempt at something new rarely goes perfectly. In fact, sometimes it fails completely. But the real problem isn’t the failure itself. Failure is part of learning—we’ve talked about that before. The real problem is failing to adjust. Progress comes from the adjustments we…
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It looks like the same drill, again. The same rep, again. The same uncomfortable moment where you realize you’re not as consistent as you thought you were. And in a world that celebrates quick wins, highlight reels, and “natural talent,” repetition can feel boring—or worse, unnecessary. But mastery is built in the reps. In baseball…
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At nearly every level of sport, standout performers are easy to identify. They are often more physically gifted than their peers, and it shows quickly—both in practice and in games. Sometimes it’s raw athleticism; other times it’s skill, instincts, or confidence. They may throw harder, hit farther, or field more cleanly, but one way or…
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That’s how we’ve always done it!” As a young player and an always learning coach, I specialized in catching. When I transitioned into coaching, I naturally began working with catchers—a role I still enjoy today. At the time, we were taught a very specific way to position our bodies depending on the situation. There were…
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One of the clearest truths in baseball and softball—especially when it comes to hitting—is that failure is inevitable. Even at the highest levels of the game, success is measured differently. If a Major League Baseball player gets a hit in just one out of every three at-bats, he’s considered elite—Hall of Fame worthy, even. In…
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One of my favorite saying when working with a young hitter is, “Swing hard in case you hit it.” It’s a light-hearted phrase that gets a laugh, but it also carries a deeper truth. I’ve worked with young players for years, and one common habit I notice—especially among those just learning to hit—is the tendency…
Leadership Lessons from the DugOut 