Unexpected Leadership Lessons from a 10-Year-Old

Last week was amazing. I had the privilege of spending a day with Patrick Lencioni in the San Francisco bay area. I was expecting a great day because Pat is a great leader and his team (Amy, Jeff, Karen, Allison, Amanda, etc.) is amazing.

What I received blew away my expectations because of twelve 10-year-old boys. Pat is a great coach off the field and on the field. I watched him take young soccer players and pour life into them on the field. Boys with nicknames like Taz, Buzz, Cheetah and so forth get the chance to work with one of the best authors and speakers on team health and leader development in our day and age.

Pat, as the coach, brings in a trainer during the season to help the boys on soccer technique.  What he offered was far more than just technique.  See below…

+ When asked, “What are the rules?” the kids responded “To have fun, to learn and to respect our teammates.”  They all knew it.  I am reminded of the importance of reiteration and consistency with my team.

+ One boy messed up two times in a row when the trainer barked “Don’t make that a highlight reel, son.  Don’t remember that one in your mind.  Erase it.” That was for me.  How many times do I remember negatives?  Perspective leads to freedom.

+ Each boy was expected to run certain exercises with perfection. They couldn’t move on until they got it right.  I was reminded here that if we can expect much from 10-year-olds we, as leaders, can expect much from our teams - if and only if we give them clear instruction and train them.

+ Pat was pushing a talented young lad to perfect a certain move. The boy had not been challenged much and had a hard time taking instruction.  I watched Pat kneel and calm the boy and connect at the heart with this boy.  I was reminded of the responsibility of the coach and that soccer is about life, not just sport.  Likewise, business is not just commerce, it is personal as well.

In summary, Pat Lencioni is the real deal.  I watched him apply his best selling concepts to a troop of young soccer lads. While I learned much from Pat, I learned just as much through his teaching to the young boys. 

Posted on September 02, 2008 in Leader Development