What Drives Winning

An NBA coach—who most would consider one of the greatest— asked himself, “Does my way work?” After pausing, he answered, “Who knows? It’s won championships, but it’s also cost me the greatest player in the world because I held the standard.” There’s so much experience that’s laced with humility in that line. The reason you win can also be the reason you lose.

Questions from the Episode: 
1. When have you knowingly or unknowingly created a double-standard?
2. What situation have you been most fearful to hold the line with? Why? 

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MORE of What Drives Winning: 
→ Website: http://whatdriveswinning.com 
→ Speaking: https://whatdriveswinning.com/about-brett-ledbetter/#speaker 
→ Books: https://whatdriveswinning.com/shop 
→ Coaching Lab: https://whatdriveswinning.com/lab

Have you ever been around a coach that overwhelms their team with information? When you prioritize everything, you prioritize nothing. Brett Ledbetter and Doug Lemov will show you how to create a team identity by highlighting the importance of a glossary, a different way to approach video analysis and how effective cold-calling can create an inclusive team. 

Questions from the Episode: 
1. Why do you think when coaches use film, 75% of the time they show what it’s not supposed to look like as opposed to what it is supposed to look like? 
2. What situation have you seen where a coach was short-term productive versus long-term productive due to their own ego and not what’s best for the athlete’s development? 
3. What has been your philosophy on cold-calling team members to answer questions in group settings? After listening to this conversation, have you changed your mind on anything? Or, will you double down on something about your approach? 

Download Questions HERE

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MORE of What Drives Winning: 
→ Website: http://whatdriveswinning.com 
→ Speaking: https://whatdriveswinning.com/about-brett-ledbetter/#speaker 
→ Books: https://whatdriveswinning.com/shop 
→ Coaching Lab: https://whatdriveswinning.com/lab

What nobody tells you about endings in coaching: In this episode, Mary Wise and Becky Burleigh discuss the emotional weight of resignations, the effect on player relationships, and the struggle to maintain authenticity while navigating institutional expectations. Through personal stories, they share the hidden challenges of necessary endings and finding peace after coaching.

Reflections from the Episode: 
1. You’ve worked 2 decades at a place. You’ve poured your heart and soul into it. You see memorabilia in the trash can after the new regime has taken over as you walk by after being asked to visit them. What symbolism would you draw from that personally? 
2. Fast forward to 55 years old. Imagine a family member saying to you, “I’ve never seen you so detached from your phone.” Then, your partner adding to the conversation, “You’ve lived with a perpetual worry face.” What would you think to yourself if that was said to you, about you, that night right before you went to bed?
3. Imagine witnessing a coach who played for that school and then coached at that school, take all of the gear that they’ve received over the years that had the school logo on it to a local Goodwill. What would be going through your mind as you watch that scene? 

Download Reflections HERE

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MORE of What Drives Winning: 
→ Website: http://whatdriveswinning.com 
→ Speaking: https://whatdriveswinning.com/about-brett-ledbetter/#speaker 
→ Books: https://whatdriveswinning.com/shop 
→ Coaching Lab: https://whatdriveswinning.com/lab

In a world where every decision is scrutinized, how do athletic directors stay true to their values? This episode explores the tough calls, high-pressure decisions, and the long-term impact of leadership choices in college athletics.  

Questions from the Episode: 
1. What are two things you could tactically improve to make you a better listener?
2. When have you ‘fell in love’ with a first impression that turned out to be wrong?
3. Who triggers you most on your staff? Why? And what can you learn about you from that person? 
4. What’s your best ‘misplaced anxiety’ story? 

Download Questions HERE

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MORE of What Drives Winning: 
→ Website: http://whatdriveswinning.com 
→ Speaking: https://whatdriveswinning.com/about-brett-ledbetter/#speaker 
→ Books: https://whatdriveswinning.com/shop 
→ Coaching Lab: https://whatdriveswinning.com/lab

It’s amazing what a minute can do. One minute can change everything, about everything. This episode will not only warm your heart but it will create an understanding on how to find peace within uncertainty (even when it feels like everything is being taken from you).

For more on how to find perspective inside of high performance.
What's Really Important📘: https://bit.ly/4aLNuNa 

Newsletter Sign-Up 

MORE of What Drives Winning: 
→ Website: http://whatdriveswinning.com 
→ Speaking: https://whatdriveswinning.com/about-brett-ledbetter/#speaker 
→ Books: https://whatdriveswinning.com/shop 
→ Coaching Lab: https://whatdriveswinning.com/lab