Paint the Picture

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Paint the Picture

Coaches fully understand when the leader improves, everybody wins.

But how many players do?

One of the best things about investing in leadership development is the multiplying effect it has. Individuals, teams, programs, schools, and communities all benefit when players become better leaders and people of character.

Our founder, Adam Bradley, says: “When players see they have more to play for, the better they’ll play.”

Check out more of Adam and co-host TJ Rosene’s thoughts on the topic in this Hardwood Hustle podcast epidsode.

It’s our calling as coaches to paint the bigger picture for our athletes. It’s our job to help them see beyond the scoreboard, and realize the impact they can have on others. Our mission should be to encourage and push players to lead even better, stronger, and more frequent than before.

We cannot sit back and hope our players develop on their own. We simply cannot hope they eventually grasp what it means to be a leader; we have to paint the big picture for them!

We all start from ground zero when we begin weightlifting. The same holds true for leadership. With a slow ramp of continuous repetition we can help our players build their confidence as leaders.

Getting our players to see the bigger picture is part of the process.

That which gets praised gets repeated.

As coaches, we must believe in our efforts and our planting of seeds will reap a harvest.

The bottom line is this…we CANNOT afford not to spend time on leadership and character development.

One day those freshmen will be seniors. If we don’t invest early and often in our players they’ll never produce.

In order to paint the bigger picture, we must first believe in it ourselves. If we keep pouring into our players, they will turn the corner sooner rather than later.

What kind of picture are you painting for your players?

 

Have fun and #LeadEmUp

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2025 Green 13 Recipients

2025 Green 13 Recipients

The Green 13 Award celebrates student-athletes who lead with heart, uplift others, and consistently live out what it means to be a great leader.

Podcasts

Real Leadership Talk for Today’s Athletes

The Green Room Ep. 4: Unleashing The Secret to Leadership – Why It Starts with Being Leadable

Watch the full video here: leademup.com/greenroom

What if the key to unlocking leadership potential in your team isn’t just about developing others, but about being the kind of person who is a joy to lead? In this episode, we dive into the often-overlooked truth: leadership flows best through people who are enjoyable to lead. You’ll learn the four traits of these individuals and how cultivating them can create a culture where leadership multiplies.

We’ll also explore a simple yet powerful question: Where are you today? Challenging, easy, or enjoyable to lead? Your answer could change everything about how you lead, and how others rise around you

Real Leadership Talk for Today’s Athletes

Green Room Ep. 3: Know Me to Lead Me – The Power of Connection on Championship Teams

Watch the full video here: leademup.com/greenroom

You can’t challenge someone to be great if you haven’t earned their trust. In this episode, we unpack one of the most overlooked truths in sports leadership: before you can lead me, you need to know me.

Championship teams aren’t just talented, they’re connected. They build relationships deep enough to allow for honest feedback, accountability, and real growth. So why do most teams skip straight to “calling each other out” without laying the foundation? In this episode, we will explore the truth that you can’t challenge someone to be their best until you’ve earned their trust, and that trust only comes through genuine connection. This episode breaks down why peer leadership often fails in sports teams and how coaches and players can build the kind of culture where teammates lead each other effectively.

Download the Green Room Player Reflection Template, a simple PDF that coaches can use to have their players reflect on the episode. It’s perfect for sparking discussion and capturing key takeaways.

Download here: https://leademup.com/the-green-room-player-reflection-worksheet/

Get Part 1 Free

Get access to part 1 of the Green Team Framework FREE!