I’ve worn a lot of hats in my life — teacher, restaurant manager, bartender, and server — but one of the roles that taught me the most about leadership was coaching youth and high school sports. From the outside, coaching might just look like calling plays or running drills, but it goes so much deeper than that. Coaching is about mentorship. It’s about bringing people together for a common goal. It’s about showing up, staying calm under pressure, and helping others grow — even when the scoreboard isn’t in your favor.
Looking back, I realize that so many of the leadership skills I use in my professional life today were built on the basketball court, the football field, and even during track practice. Here’s what coaching taught me about leadership — and why I think every leader could learn a thing or two from sports.
Leading by Example
You can’t expect your players to hustle if you’re walking through practice with your hands in your pockets. The same is true at work. Whether you’re a manager, teacher, or team lead, people pay more attention to what you do than what you say.
As a coach, I always made sure to be the first one at practice and the last one to leave. I picked up trash after games, stayed late to talk with players, and never asked someone to do something I wouldn’t do myself. Now, as a general manager in the hospitality industry, I still carry that mindset. If the team’s overwhelmed, I jump in. If the dishwasher is down, I roll up my sleeves. Leading by example builds trust — and without trust, there’s no team.
Every Player Matters
One of the most important things I learned while coaching was that every player, no matter their skill level, brings value to the team. Not everyone’s going to be the star, but every single kid has something to offer. The same goes for any organization.
In coaching, I made it a point to give every player some time on the court, even if it was just a couple minutes. I made sure to pull kids aside and encourage them, especially the ones who weren’t in the spotlight. Today, as a leader in the workplace, I try to do the same. Whether someone is a new hire or a seasoned veteran, their contribution matters. A team only works if everyone feels seen and supported.
Communication Is Everything
If there’s one thing that will make or break a team — in sports or in life — it’s communication. As a coach, I learned how important it is to be clear, consistent, and honest. Players need to know what’s expected of them, where they stand, and how they can improve.
I carried that skill over to my career in management. Staff need clear direction, just like athletes. They need feedback that’s helpful, not hurtful. And just like on a sports team, they need to know they can come to you when something’s off. Leadership isn’t about talking the most — it’s about listening, too.
Learn from Every Loss
You’re not going to win every game — and you’re definitely not going to get everything right as a leader. I’ve had tough losses as a coach. I’ve had players quit, teams underperform, and game plans fall apart. But every single one of those moments taught me something.
Good leaders don’t run from failure. They learn from it. After a tough game, we’d sit down and talk it out — what worked, what didn’t, and what we could do better. That same reflection process is something I use at work now. If we have a bad day, I don’t ignore it. I gather the team, ask questions, and look for ways to grow. Mistakes aren’t the end — they’re the classroom.
Build a Team, Not Just a Group
One of the best feelings in the world is watching a group of individuals become a true team. That transformation doesn’t happen by accident — it takes time, trust, and a lot of intentional leadership.
As a coach, I learned how to create a culture where players supported each other, not just competed. We had team dinners, off-the-court check-ins, and moments that reminded us we were in it together. That sense of unity made all the difference. In my current job, I work hard to build that same kind of environment. When people care about each other, they work better together. It’s that simple.
Coaching didn’t just teach me how to run plays or manage a bench — it taught me how to lead. It taught me patience, accountability, empathy, and the value of hard work. Whether I’m managing a restaurant, mentoring a new employee, or working with a vendor, I still lean on those lessons every day.
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers or being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and helping others succeed. Sports just happen to be one of the best classrooms for learning that.
If you’ve ever coached, you know what I mean. And if you haven’t — maybe it’s time to grab a whistle, step onto the court, and see for yourself. You might just find out what kind of leader you really are.