The Team Leadership Report

What’s happened to our program? Just a couple of years ago we were enjoying tremendous success, but look at us now.” Have you ever uttered words like this, if only to yourself? Most coaches certainly wouldn’t shout them to the world because they would believe they could fix it. Admitting fear would be a sign of weakness, but even thinking it while searching for answers and solutions can create doubt. Many times programs aren’t able to sustain success year in and year out. That’s why a gradual decline doesn’t immediately set off any alarms. There can be many reasons for seasons with fewer wins, such as injuries, a talent pool that dries up, other teams becoming more competitive, or being moved to a tougher district or region, to name a few. Those factors are fairly uncontrollable. What other areas should coaches explore to bring their team back to its former glory? Where do we start? The best point to begin might be in the past, though many would tell you to keep looking forward s

Peter McGahey was named the fifth head coach in Central Michigan women's soccer history on Jan. 9, 2013. McGahey has built a solid program during his time at the helm. This year he led the Chippewas to the best start in program history winning their first 8 games. The 2016 team finished with  15-3-3 record. Before becoming Central Michigan's head coach, McGahey, the 2012 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Coach of the Year. He had unprecedented success at the helm of Minnesota State over five seasons (2008-12), compiling a record of 74-21-13 (.755 winning percentage) while leading the Mavericks to four appearances in the NCAA Division II Tournament. His squad finished with a program-best 17-1-5 record in 2012, going 14-0-1 to capture its first NSIC regular season championship and become the first team to finish unbeaten in NSIC play since 2008. The Mavericks also claimed their first-ever Central Regional Championship last season, advancing further in the NCAA

Don’t wish it were easier, wish you were better. Don’t wish for less problems, wish for more skills We all have problems in life, and they won’t magically disappear no matter how successful we become. We must continuously learn and outgrow our problems. It is the way we approach problems that will determine whether we are successful or not. Work on your philosophy, work on your attitude, work on your personality, work on your language, work on your communication skills. If you’ll start making personal changes, everything will change for you. Your vision of the world, your attitude will be the determining factor in your career as well as in your life. Work on your attitude and your personality. Nobody else can do it for you. Neglect start as an infection, and if you don’t take care of it it becomes a disease. It is easy to ease off a little bit, and doing a little bit less than our best. However, each neglect and bad habit will have an impact on your performance. Before lon

So what if everyone makes excuses. Living excuse free is about taking responsibility for every aspect of your life. It’s about creating a future you’re proud of. So what if it hasn’t been done before? Be the first. So what if you get it wrong a few times? Reinvent yourself. So what if you don’t have the "right" degree? Be curious. Learn more. So what if no one believes in you? You don’t need approval to be successful. So what if it gets hard? All big things require pain and loss. So what if you keep trying and never get it right? Audacity is always the right move. So what if people aren’t following you? They will follow once you do something amazing. So what if you get hurt? That’s the price of boldness. So what if you’re under-appreciated? Ego would only make you complacent. So what if everything you thought was right turns out to be wrong? Make up new rules. So what if the experts disagree with you? The experts might be wrong. So what

Keep away from people who try to belittle you’re your ambition. Small people always do that, but the really great ones make you feel that you, too, can become great.--Mark Twain I can be changed by what happened to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it.--Maya Angelou If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much. Miss a meal if you have to, but don’t miss a book. Leaders are readers.  We are drowning in information and starving for knowledge. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Season In Words by Dan Spainhour Print Edition   $19.95 Copy & Paste Into Your Practice Plan With Our  Instant Download $11.95 Get Both the Book and the Download   $29.95 Want to Order With a Purchase Order? Order by Mail