When someone asks me what my favorite season is, it’s an easy answer: football season. Aside from just being a sports fan in general, I love the competitive energy, the team spirit, and the inspiring stories. But one of the coolest parts is how much sports can be a lesson in how to apply yourself and be successful in the workplace — one of the biggest influences being leadership.
Star athletes and coaches alike must have a leader mentality to inspire, and they each need to be at the top of their game, knowing the ins and outs of the sport they compete in. But, when you think about a star athlete deciding to transition and step into a coaching role, they must take their advanced knowledge of their sport and shift the way they use that knowledge, leveraging a new set of leadership skills to guide their team to a winning season.
In any workplace, transitioning from an individual contributor to a first-time leader requires not only a change in mindset but also the acquisition of new leadership skills and knowledge — just like moving from athlete to coach. As an organization, supporting your first-time leaders with a smart and intentional training strategy is essential. A key piece of that strategy is prioritizing what topics to focus on as your new leaders make the transition.
Let’s explore some of those crucial leadership topics.
Emotional Intelligence (EI) is a cornerstone of effective leadership. It involves the ability to understand and manage one's own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. Training first-time leaders in EI helps them build strong relationships, navigate social complexities, and make informed decisions. Key components of EI training include self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. A focus on becoming an emotionally intelligent leader can truly make the difference to create a positive work environment and foster team cohesion. Without EI, it’s much easier to “lose the locker room” as they say in the coaching world.
Leaders are frequently required to make decisions and solve problems under pressure. Training in strategic decision-making and problem-solving helps first-time leaders develop a structured approach to tackling challenges. This includes learning techniques for analyzing situations, evaluating options, and making informed decisions. Leaders should also be trained in critical thinking and creative problem-solving to address complex issues effectively. By developing a comprehensive strategy playbook, leaders can navigate uncertainties and drive their teams toward winning outcomes.
A coach must be ready to adapt their game plan to changing strategies and unexpected plays. Training first-time leaders in change management is crucial for ensuring smooth transitions and maintaining team morale during periods of change. As new leaders, they are often the bridge between upper management’s strategic decisions and their team’s day-to-day operations. Effective change management training equips them with the skills to communicate changes clearly, address concerns empathetically, and foster a positive attitude toward new initiatives. This training helps them anticipate and mitigate resistance, ensuring that changes are implemented efficiently and with minimal disruption. By empowering first-time leaders with these skills, organizations can navigate change more successfully and maintain a motivated, resilient workforce.
Obviously in the sports world a coach must know how to, well, coach. But what does that mean in the workplace? At any level, a people manager’s responsibilities require good coaching skills. Training first-time leaders in coaching equips them with the tools to support their team's development and growth. This includes learning how to provide guidance, set performance expectations, and offer constructive feedback. Leaders should also be trained in active listening and asking powerful questions to help their team members find solutions and develop their problem-solving skills. Effective coaching fosters a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the team.
Just as a coach must master the art of guiding their team to victory, new leaders must master similar skills for guiding their teams to achieving goals in the workplace. Prioritizing training in emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, change management, and coaching is essential for setting new leaders up for success, building them up to become championship-caliber leaders.
Want to learn more about how to upskill your first-time managers? Contact an Ardent specialist today.
