Hello and welcome to Baseball Coaches Unplugged . Presented by AthleteOne , a podcast helping baseball coaches to get their players to buy into their philosophy , become more productive , win more games by applying unique leadership strategies from some of the best coaches across the country . I'm your host , ken Carpenter . In this episode , we're going to talk about leadership .
You're going to learn what the best coaches do . They give their players a voice . Why , even if you're not the best player , you can still be a leader . And finally , players need to know how much you care . If you enjoyed today's show text a coach , player or even a parent and tell them to check it out I have 118 episodes available in the back catalog .
I get the best coaches from around the country to share their secrets to success , and I think it'll be beneficial to anybody who wants to get better at the game of baseball .
Welcome to Baseball Coaches Unplugged with Coach Ken Carpenter , presented by AthleteOne . Baseball Coaches Unplugged is a podcast for baseball coaches With 27 years of high school baseball coaching under his belt , here to bring you the inside scoop on all things baseball , from game-winning strategies and pitching secrets to hitting drills and defensive drills .
We're covering it all . Whether you're a high school coach , college coach or just a baseball enthusiast , we'll dive into the tactics and techniques that make the difference on and off the field . Discover how to build a winning mentality .
Inspire your players and get them truly bought into your game philosophy Plus , get the latest insights on recruiting , coaching , leadership and crafting a team culture that champions productivity and success . Join Coach every week as he breaks down the game and shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories .
Your competitive edge starts here , so check out the show weekly and hear from the best coaches in the game . On Baseball Coaches Unplugged .
Today's episode of the Baseball Coaches Unplugged podcast is powered by the netting professionals , improving programs one facility at a time . Coaches , are you looking around at your facilities and wondering what do you need to do to make it better for next spring ? You need to do one thing Get in touch with Will Miner and his team at the netting professionals .
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Or you can visit them online at wwwnettingproscom , or check out Netting Pros on Twitter , instagram , facebook and LinkedIn for all their latest projects and products . Today , let's talk about a topic that lies at the core of every successful team Leadership . Leadership is more than just a title .
Just because you have the title coach doesn't mean your players are going to follow you . Leadership isn't about wearing the biggest hat in the dugout or having the loudest voice . It's about influence , trust and earning respect every single day . Think about Colonel Craig Flowers , a former US Army commander . He says leadership isn't about barking orders .
It's about creating an environment where players want to follow you . Do your players run through a wall for you because they have to or because they want to ? If you're leaning toward have to , it may be time to reevaluate how you're leading Coaches . It starts with you Now as a coach .
We've all got those moments when we think we've got it all figured out right . We call the shots , run the drills , set up practice , make the lineups . But here's the secret the best coaches don't just give orders , they listen .
John Gordon , the guy who wrote the energy bus , which , if you haven't read , stop everything and pick it up says the best leaders inspire and encourage . Simple right , but think about it . Are you pushing your players to be better by lifting them up or just pushing ? Great leadership starts with being present . You know your players .
You know what makes them tick . Some guys need a kick in the butt , others need a pat on the back . One size fits all leadership . That's quick ticket to a losing season . The best coaches are like great pitchers they adjust based on the situation . Are like great pitchers . They adjust based on the situation .
Colonel Flowers calls it the difference between command and control , leadership and collaborative leadership . Command and control is kind of like the old school you're in charge , end of story . Collaborative leadership that's where they start seeing some real magic . Your players feel involved . They're not just cogs in the machine , they've got ownership of the process .
That's when they start playing for something bigger than you . They play for each other . Players it's not all on the coaches . You can lead too . Leadership isn't just about a coach thing , it's a player thing too . And when you've got players who lead , it changes everything .
It's like having a captain on the field , even if they don't have the C on their chest . John Gordon calls them energy leaders . These are the players who , even if they're hitting 200 , still show up every day with fire . They run out every ground ball .
They're the first in and last out of practice and they're the ones that's picking up teammates when they're dragging . Energy leaders are like glue that holds your team together , and they don't have to be your star players , they just have to set the tone . Think about special forces in the Army , colonel Flowers says the best soldiers aren't always the strongest .
They're the ones who make everyone around them better . The same goes for your team . If you got a kid who's not the most talented but raises the level of everyone else just by their attitude , wow , that's gold . You need those guys . Here's a quick story .
I had a player that he wasn't the best hitter on the team , but every single day he showed up early , was one of the last guys to leave , taking extra reps , extra swings , hustled all the time and guess what ? The rest of the team noticed Before long . Guys started staying after with him . He didn't have to say a word . His worth ethic was his leadership .
That's the ripple effect of leadership . You as a coach , can set the tone , but when you've got players who lead by example , it spreads through the team like wildfire and suddenly you've got a culture of hard work , discipline and trust . That's how you build a winning team not just by outscoring your opponents , but by outworking them .
This ripple effect great leadership trickles down . If you're the type of coach who listens , who encourages , who demands effort without crushing spirits , your players pick up on that . They start to lead themselves . Then the whole team starts firing on all cylinders .
When players see their coach caring about them beyond their batting average , they start giving their best . You're not just coaching skills , you're coaching character . Remember this , players they don't care how much you know until they know how much you care . We've all heard that saying . You build that trust and suddenly you're not just a coach , you're a leader .
They'll follow into any game , any challenge , no questions asked . My final thought leadership is about being the loudest or the bossiest , if that's even a word . It's about making your players better , not just as athletes , but as people . John Gordon says it best you don't have to be great to serve , but you have to serve to be great .
Serve your players , lead them with energy and watch your team transform . That's all for today's episode of the Baseball Coaches Unplugged podcast . Get out there and lead with your heart and remember you set the tone your players will follow . The Baseball Coaches Unplugged podcast is powered by the netting professionals , improving programs one facility at a time .
Contact them today at 844-620-2707 , or visit them online at wwwnettingproscom . If you're a baseball coach and you would like to be a guest of the baseball coaches unplugged podcast , go to our website it's athlete onenet , that's athlete1.net and fill out the guest registration . Also , you can leave a review on our website .
As always , I'm your host , ken Carpenter , and thanks for joining me on Baseball Coaches . Unplugged .