What Leaders Can Learn from a Sports Coach About Team Coaching

There's a lot leaders can learn from a great sports coach — and most of it is about team coaching. The best coaches understand that the success of the team is greater than any one player, and that even a talented group doesn't succeed in a vacuum. It takes continual work to align a team of teams.

Why team coaching matters more than ever

We're seeing a growing need for team coaching as leaders navigate hybrid work, rising complexity and uncertainty, tighter budgets, and a sharper focus on engagement and wellbeing. Team coaching fosters high-performing teams by improving collaboration and team dynamics, sharpening problem-solving and decision-making, and lifting engagement.

How team coaching works

It gives every individual an equal share of voice in shaping the team's goals and processes. Crucially, it focuses on how teams behave, not just what they do.

Frequently asked questions

What is team coaching?

Coaching that develops how a team works together — collaboration, decision-making, dynamics and engagement — rather than developing individuals in isolation.

What can leaders learn from sports coaches?

That the team's success is bigger than any individual, and that high performance takes continual work on collaboration, unity and how the team operates together.