

How Soccer Explains Leadership Podcast
Philip Darke & Paul Jobson
Hosts Paul Jobson and Phil Darke have decades of experience as leaders, husbands, fathers, soccer coaches, players, and referees. In this podcast, Paul and Phil will have conversations with guests from the worlds of leadership and soccer about how we can flourish by examining life and leadership through the lens of the "beautiful game."
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 2, 2021 • 1h 4min
Accountability, Mindset, and Marketing with Will Russell, Founder & CEO of Russell Marketing
In Episode 45, Will Russell, Founder & CEO of Russell Marketing and Executive Director of Russell Gives Foundation, talks with Phil about his work with Street Soccer USA, lessons he has learned from soccer and Premier League managers, success measures, his "why," and the sacrifices needed to reach elite status. Specifically, Will discusses: How he developed his passion for soccer and leadership, and how he got to be where he is today (1:51) His work with Street Soccer USA (3:57) Lessons he has learned from reading biographies of great managers that he has applied to his marketing work and other areas of life, including accountability and shared mission, vision, and values (7:32) Lessons he has learned from the beautiful game that he uses in his marriage and marketing business, including fixed vs. growth mindset (21:53) How different managers measure success and how he measures success in his life (33:11) Whether sacrifices are needed to reach elite levels in sports and other areas of life (41:12) Will's "why" and how he lives it out in his life (50:29) His recommendations (58:58) Resources and Links from this Episode Will on Twitter and LinkedIn Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group Phil and HSEL on Clubhouse -- @phildarke Contact Phil about DISC Training Jack Wilshere Goal The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable, by Patrick Lencioni Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, by Carol Dweck Wenger: My Life Lessons in Red and White, by Arsene Wenger Alex Ferguson: My Autobiography, by Sir Alex Ferguson Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, by James Clear E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It, by Michael E. Gerber Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Wanted, by Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy "All or Nothing: Manchester City" (Amazon Prime) "F1: Drive to Survive" (Netflix) "All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur" (Amazon Prime)

Aug 26, 2021 • 1h 18min
Creating, Communicating, and Reinforcing Values with Lance Key, Head Coach of University of Louisiana at Lafayette Women's Soccer
In Episode 44, Lance Key, Head Coach of University of Louisiana at Lafayette Women's Soccer, talks with Phil about overcoming adversity and resilience, his personal "why," stewarding family and team, prioritizing our platforms, creating, communicating, and reinforcing values, and reversing the trend of entitlement. Specifically, Lance discusses: How he developed his passion for soccer and leadership, and how he got to be where he is today (4:02) How concussions ended his career and the life lessons we can all learn from adversity (10:10) His personal "why" and how he lives it out in the different areas of his life (24:21) The balance of stewardship over family and coaching (and other vocations) (33:29) The concept of our "platform" and prioritizing our platforms (45:10) The importance of a humble and learning posture (49:30) Creating, communicating, and reinforcing values in our teams (55:03) The recent rise of entitlement in our youth and how we can reverse the trend (1:01:44) What he has learned directly from soccer that he has used in his life and leadership outside the game (1:09:21) His book and podcast recommendations (1:12:30) Resources and Links from this Episode Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group Phil and HSEL on Clubhouse -- @phildarke Switch on Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health, by Caroline Leaf The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas are Setting Up a Generation for Failure, by Jonathan Haidt All In: You Are One Decision Away From a Totally Different Life, by Mark Batterson I Can't Accept Not Trying: Michael Jordan on the Pursuit of Excellence, by Michael Jordan

Aug 19, 2021 • 1h 15min
Giving Youth Sports Back to the Kids with Diego Bocanegra, Head Coach of University of Houston Women's Soccer
In Episode 43, Diego Bocanegra, Head Coach of University of Houston Women's Soccer, talks with Phil about how his childhood shaped his love for soccer, specialization, how we can give youth sports back to the kids, the state of soccer in America, what elite players have in common, his personal "Why," his new podcast, and what he has learned from the beautiful game that he uses in other areas of life. Specifically, Diego discusses: How he developed his passion for soccer, other sports, and leadership, and how he got to be where he is today (2:06) How his childhood experiences and his parents have shaped him and taught him lessons that help him in his coaching (6:09) His thoughts on specialization, and if and when kids should specialize in one sport (10:17) How he believes club and youth soccer are being taken away from the kids and what we can do about it (16:26) The state of soccer in America and how we need to make it more about the players' flourishing (22:47) The common threads among elite athletes (34:43) His personal "Why" and life mission, and how it informs his leadership (42:03) The why and what of his new podcast, "Boca" (46:33) Clubhouse and how we can engage the new platform to help us and others flourish (52:35) How Diego used the lessons learned playing and coaching soccer in his stint in the financial planning and insurance world, and vice-versa (58:31) What he wants his players to know when they leave his program (1:04:19) What he has learned directly from soccer that he has used in his life and leadership outside the game (1:06:32) His book and podcast recommendations (1:09:40) Resources and Links from this Episode Diego's "Boca" Podcast Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group Phil and HSEL on Clubhouse -- @phildarke Changing the Game: The Parent's Guide to Raising Happy, High Performing Athletes, and Giving Youth Sports Back to our Kids, by John O'Sullivan Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, by Carol Dweck Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!, by Robert T. Kiyosaki The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Rich, by Thomas J. Stanley, Ph.D, and William D. Danko, Ph.D Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, by Daniel Pink Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, by Angela Duckworth Toughness: Developing True Strength On and Off the Court, by Jay Bilas Black Box Thinking: Why Most People Don't Learn From Their Mistakes, But Some Do, by Matthew Syed Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, by Malcolm Gladwell

Aug 12, 2021 • 20min
Offseason Talks, Volume 10 – 5 Life Lessons from the Beautiful Game
In Episode 42, our co-host, Phil Darke, finishes off this offseason's talks by sharing five life lessons we can all learn from the beautiful game and apply in every area of our lives: 1) Maximum effort; 2) Always be on your guard; 3) Be able to make decisions on the fly; 4) Your work is important even if nobody sees it; and 5) Rest is a critical component of success. Resources and Links from this Episode Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group Email Phil for information about DISC training and/or Coaching the Bigger Game program – phil@howsoccerexplainsleadership.com The Warrior Way Program Sleep Smarter: 21 Essential Strategies to Sleep Your Way to a Better Body, Better Health, and Bigger Success, by Shawn Stevenson

Aug 5, 2021 • 21min
Offseason Talks, Volume 9 – The Warrior Way w/ Marci Jobson, Part 2
In Episode 41, our next Offseason Talks series has our co-host, Paul Jobson, continuing his conversation with Marci Jobson, former USWNT, professional player, and Division 1 Coach, and mother of 4 boys (and Paul's bride), about the final three pillars of the Warrior Way program: skill, mental toughness, and body readiness. Resources and Links from this Episode Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group The Warrior Way Program

Jul 29, 2021 • 16min
Offseason Talks, Volume 8 – The Warrior Way w/ Marci Jobson
In Episode 40, we continue our Offseason Talks series with our co-host, Paul Jobson, talking with Marci Jobson (yes, Paul's bride), former USWNT, professional player, and Division 1 Coach, and mother of 4 boys, about The Warrior Way and its first three pillars: Worship, Work, and Serve. Resources and Links from this Episode Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group The Warrior Way Program

Jul 22, 2021 • 12min
Offseason Talks, Volume 7 – Commitment to Communication
In Episode 39, we continue our Offseason Talks series with our co-host, Paul Jobson, talking about why a commitment to communication is a critical component of any healthy team. Resources and Links from this Episode Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group Phil and HSEL on Clubhouse -- @phildarke Email Phil – phil@howsoccerexplainsleadership.com – to set up a call to discuss how DISC can help you in your leadership and other areas of your life Warrior Way Soccer Training

Jul 15, 2021 • 20min
Offseason Talks, Volume 6 – Coach Wooden's 7 Rules for Life (cont.)
In Episode 38, we continue our Offseason Talks series with our host, Phil Darke, talking about the life and leadership lessons he learned from the seven rules for life that John Wooden learned from his dad and sought to live out during his time on Earth. We cover the last 4 of the rules in this episode: 4) Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible; 5) Make friendship a fine art; 6) Build a shelter against a rainy day; and 7) Pray for guidance and counsel, and give thanks for your blessings each day. Resources and Links from this Episode Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group Phil and HSEL on Clubhouse -- @phildarke Email Phil – phil@howsoccerexplainsleadership.com – to set up a call to discuss how DISC can help you in your leadership and other areas of your life Warrior Way Soccer Training Coach Wooden: The 7 Principles That Shaped His Life and Will Change Yours, by Pat Williams Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer, by Oswald Sanders 12 Mighty Orphans (film) Braveheart (film)

Jul 8, 2021 • 11min
Offseason Talks, Volume 5 – Coach Wooden's 7 Rules for Life
In Episode 37, we continue our Offseason Talks series with our host, Phil Darke, talking about the life and leadership lessons he learned from the seven rules for life that John Wooden learned from his dad and sought to live out during his time on Earth. We cover the first three of the rules in this episode: 1) Be true to yourself; 2) Make each day a masterpiece; and 3) Help others. Resources and Links from this Episode Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group Phil and HSEL on Clubhouse -- @phildarke Email Phil – phil@howsoccerexplainsleadership.com – to set up a call to discuss how DISC can help you in your leadership and other areas of your life Warrior Way Soccer Training Coach Wooden: The 7 Principles That Shaped His Life and Will Change Yours, by Pat Williams Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, by Simon Sinek Legacy: What the All Blacks Can Teach Us About the Business of Life, by James Kerr

Jul 1, 2021 • 17min
Offseason Talks, Volume 4 – Coaching the Bigger Game
In Episode 36, we continue our Offseason Talks series with our host, Phil Darke, talking about the life and leadership lessons he learned from the movie, "Searching for Bobby Fischer." We all have a lot to learn from this movie about chess, as it speaks directly to our coaching, parenting, marriages, and other relationships, and also gives us a practical application for the first three offseason talks. Resources and Links from this Episode Uncut Video of the Episode HSEL Facebook Group Phil and HSEL on Clubhouse -- @phildarke Email Phil – phil@howsoccerexplainsleadership.com – to set up a call to discuss how DISC can help you in your leadership and other areas of your life Warrior Way Soccer Training Searching for Bobby Fischer (Film)


