How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast

In Episode 74, our second off-season talk between Seasons 5 & 6, Paul talks about the developments in technology surrounding the game of soccer, how we can protect against its downside, and harness it for good and our development. Paul also reminds us about the time-tested, best-practice way to develop our personal skills. As we work to understand and harness technology for good, we strive to be part of a movement that encourages a lifelong love for the game, leadership and character development, and human flourishing. Resources and Links from this Episode Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group Coaching the Bigger Game Program Warrior Way Soccer Info on DISC Training Phil's email address – phil@howsoccerexplainsleadership.com

In Episode 73, our first off-season talk between Seasons 5 & 6, Phil talks about recent racial abuse and parent misconduct, how we can fight against it, and how parents and coaches can use the game to teach our kids how to rise above the fray and do the next right thing. We are hoping to be part of a movement that encourages a lifelong love for the game, leadership and character development, and human flourishing, rather than teaching our kids to win at all costs and sacrifice character. Resources and Links from this Episode Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group Coaching the Bigger Game Program Warrior Way Soccer Info on DISC Training Phil's email address – phil@howsoccerexplainsleadership.com

In Episode 72, Phil and Paul discuss the highlights and lessons gleaned from the conversations we were able to have with David Ricca, Jay Demerit, Phil Smith, and Dan Abrahams during the second half of Season 5. Resources and Links from this Episode Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group Coaching the Bigger Game information Warrior Way information Phil Darke's email address The Challenge Culture: Why the Most Successful Organizations Run on Pushback, by Nigel Travis

In Episode 71, Dan Abrahams, Sports Psychologist, best-selling author of four books, Founder of the Dan Abrahams Soccer Academy and The Sport Psych Show Podcast, and former pro golfer, talks with Phil about his sports psychology work, his books, and his podcast, the concepts of "Teamship" and motivational climate, extrinsic vs. intrinsic motivation, pre-failing, self-leadership, his personal why, how we can coach difficult players by asking great questions, and whether we can recreate the pressure of a penalty kick outside of a match. Specifically, Dan discusses: His story, his work with Premier League and other football/soccer teams, his books, his podcast, how he developed his passion for soccer and leadership, and how he got to where he is today (1:31) What excites him about the increase of awareness of the importance of mindset and sports psychology in sports over the past several years (11:53) In which sport the mental game is more important: soccer or golf (18:04) The concept of "Teamship" and why it is important (24:49) The Motivational Climate of a Team, what it is, and what it has to do with a team's culture and burnout (28:13) Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic Motivation, get-to vs. have-to mentality, and how they are related to short- and long-term performance (41:07) The concept of pre-failing (47:01) Why self-leadership and a leader's mindset are important (51:13) His personal why and how it is playing out in his life (57:05) "Not" coaching difficult players, but teaching them to coach themselves through questions (59:23) How personality styles are related to the sports psychology work (1:03:45) Whether it is possible to recreate the pressure of a penalty kick in a training environment (1:07:31) How he uses lessons learned in soccer in his family relationships (1:12:16) His recommendation, which is very personal to him (1:13:44) Resources and Links from this Episode Dan's Website The Sport Psych Show Podcast Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group Coaching the Bigger Game information Warrior Way information Phil Darke's email address Soccer Tough: Simple Football Psychology Techniques to Improve Your Game, by Dan Abrahams Soccer Tough 2: Advanced Psychology Techniques for Footballers, by Dan Abrahams Soccer Brain: The 4C Coaching Model for Developing World Class Player Mindsets and a Winning Football Team, by Dan Abrahams Golf Tough: Practice, Prepare, Perform, and Progress, by Dan Abrahams The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance, by W. Timothy Gallwey

In Episode 70, Phil Smith, Vice-Chairman and Owner of Sixth-Division Ossett United FC, former NY Yankees and Manchester United Executive, Owner of NERF rights in UK, Europe, and Middle East, and much more, talks with Phil about lessons learned during his playing days and his experience as an executive for a couple of the biggest teams in the world, his personal why, and the importance of leaders taking the meeting, getting scars, and giving their people freedom to fail. Specifically, Phil discusses: His story, his incredible journey that includes playing college soccer in NY, working for the NY Yankees and Manchester United, and owning a sixth-division English team, how he developed his passion for soccer and leadership, and how he got to where he is today (2:42) Lessons he has learned during his time with the Yankees and Man U (21:11) Lessons from his playing days that he has used in his various leadership roles, such as freedom to fail, taking steps back in order to go forward, and taking the meeting (27:49) His personal why and what drives him every day (50:23) How he uses lessons learned in soccer in his parenting (56:27) His recommendation of a great show from the world outside of soccer (1:00:54) Resources and Links from this Episode Ossett United FC Website Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group Coaching the Bigger Game information Warrior Way information Phil Darke's email address The Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life, by Mark Manson F1: Drive to Survive (Netflix) Sunderland 'Til I Die (Netflix) Rise and Shine: The Jay Demerit Story (YouTube) Jerry Maguire (film) Draft Day (film)

In Episode 69, Jay Demerit, Chief Energy Officer of Rise and Shine and former USMNT player, and former Captain of Watford FC and Whitecaps FC, talks with Phil about the pros and cons of specialization, self-leadership, self-belief, his personal why, the "inside" and "outside" game, what we can learn about leadership from the bench, and the work he is doing with Rise and Shine. Specifically, Jay discusses: His story, his incredible journey to the Premier League and USMNT, how he developed his passion for soccer and leadership, and how he got to where he is today (1:48) His thoughts on specialization in one sport and whether it is good or bad for athletes (6:00) How he got excited about and focused on his classes as a kid (16:15) His favorite sport as a kid (19:41) His personal why and purpose, and how he is living it out in his life (22:17) How self-belief and self-leadership are keys to discernment and perseverance in life (26:22) The "Inside" Game and the "Outside" Game (30:37) The importance of leaders leading themselves with excellence first before they can lead their teams with excellence (36:15) What he learned from his time on the bench as a substitute (42:58) His Rise and Shine organization and how it is impacting youth in great ways (48:03) How he uses lessons learned in soccer in his parenting (52:30) His recommendations (56:55) Resources and Links from this Episode Rise and Shine website "Rise and Shine: The Jay Demerit Story" "Are you ready for a sunny day?" (TED Talk) Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group Coaching the Bigger Game information Warrior Way information Phil Darke's email address

In Episode 68, David Ricca, NJ Youth Soccer Innovate to Grow Consultant, Founder/President of Just Live Soccer, 9/11 Survivor, Soccer Resilience Ambassador, Member of 2010 World Cup Media & Marketing team, former soccer player, coach, and scout, former MLS Liaison, former CBS Manager, and former Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor, discusses how he has used soccer and other tools to overcome the PTSD he has experienced following the traumatic experience he had in Tower Two of the World Trade Center on 9/11, how he is using soccer to help vulnerable children around the world, his innovation work with NJ Youth Soccer, and how we can create environments where our kids can flourish. Specifically, David discusses: His story, his unique background, how he developed his passion for soccer, his work with vulnerable communities, and how he got to where he is today (2:12) His incredible story of survival in Tower 2 of the World Trade Center on 9/11 (11:00) How he has overcome trauma from his 9/11 experience using soccer and other tools (20:45) His personal why and how he is living it out (35:10) His work with NJ Youth Soccer and the Innovate to Grow grant (38:02) How we can create environments for our children to flourish in our youth soccer programs (43:02) How he uses the lessons he has learned through soccer in his marriage (47:17) His recommendations (50:24) Resources and Links from this Episode David's website & LinkedIn profile Just Live Soccer website Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group Coaching the Bigger Game information Warrior Way information Phil Darke's email address

In Episode 67, Paul and Phil discuss the recent USC Convention, a preview of the second half of Season 5, a recap of the first half of the season, and the leadership lesson we can learn from Episodes 9 & 10 of Ted Lasso. Specifically, we discuss: What Paul and Phil took away from the recently-held United Soccer Coaches Convention in KC, and some new things Paul is working on (1:56) What's to come in the second half of Season 5 (11:04) Lessons Paul and Phil gleaned from our conversations with Cheryl McCormick, Tony Everett, Robbie Handy, and Aaron Locks (14:00) Leadership lessons from Episodes 9 & 10 of Ted Lasso relating to identity, personality styles, the both/and of winning and maintaining healthy culture, the shadow side of our weaknesses, and how little things can make massive impact in our players' lives (30:00) Resources and Links from this Episode Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group Coaching the Bigger Game information Warrior Way information Paul Jobson's email address Phil Darke's email address "Rise and Shine: The Jay Demerit Story" (YouTube) United Soccer Coaches website Inside College Soccer Podcast "Ted Lasso" (Apple TV+)

In Episode 66, Aaron Locks, CEO and Founder of the National Academy of Athletics, talks with Phil about the importance of failure in success, three important questions he asks himself every day, the Pyramid of Success and what he learned from working with John Wooden, his definition of leadership and success, secrets of successful youth coaches, synergistic collaboration, and how leadership is like jazz music. Specifically, Aaron discusses: His story, how he developed his passion for sports and leadership, and how he got to where he is today (1:44) The mission, vision, and values of the National Academy of Athletics, and how it is working to transform the lives of youth in America (2:58) How we can make youth sports more accessible to all kids from all backgrounds (4:29) Aaron's personal "Why," how he is living it out every day, and the three questions he asks himself at the end of each day (10:08) The importance of encouragement and doing for others with no expectation of anything in return (12:15) How he defines leadership (18:39) Secrets of successful youth sports coaches (20:32) A couple of the lessons Coach Wooden taught Aaron in their time together (26:27) Synergy through collaboration and teamwork (34:14) The importance of healthy conflict in teams (37:47) What he hopes everyone will understand after they work with him (44:37) How he uses the lessons he has learned through soccer in his parenting (46:07) His recommendations (50:48) Resources and Links from this Episode National Academy of Athletics website Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group Coaching the Bigger Game information Warrior Way information Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't, Simon Sinek Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success: Building Blocks for a Better Life, John Wooden and Jay Carty The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen R. Covey The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else in Business, Patrick Lencioni

In Episode 65, Robbie Handy, Health and Wellness Coach and Former Head Coach of William Jessup University and Yuba College, talks with Phil about the differences between a head and assistant coach role, his coaching philosophy, how he measures success, why he left soccer coaching and started a different type of coaching, humility and learning, controlling the controllables, and the central role of communication in all we do. Specifically, Robbie discusses: His story, how he developed his passion for soccer and leadership, and how he got to where he is today (2:18) The different leadership lessons we can learn from head coaching and assistant coaching (5:15) His coaching philosophy as a head college coach (12:01) His success metrics in his coaching days (15:54) His personal why and how he lives it out (19:30) Why he stopped coaching soccer and started coaching others to flourish in their health and wellness (20:54) How he uses what he learned from soccer in his coaching business (24:16) How he uses the lessons he has learned through soccer in his marriage and parenting (30:33) Communication and earning credibility with those you're leading (33:10) His recommendations (37:31) Resources and Links from this Episode Link to Robbie's Health and Wellness Coaching Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group Coaching the Bigger Game information Warrior Way information The Messiah Method: The Seven Disciplines of the Winningest College Soccer Program in America, by Michael Zigarelli