Recognize The Drop Off

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Recognize The Drop Off

As leaders responsible for leading our athletes we need to recognize and become aware of the leadership drop-off; a common occurrence in leadership.

Whatever level you are at as a leader, there will always be a drop-off from your level to those around you.

If they were able to “score” you as a leader and you scored at 84%, for all intensive purposes, that’d be a pretty good grade.  You’d be sitting comfortably with a 3.0 GPA and B’s up and down your report card.  Very respectable.

An 84% score takes on a new perspective when you remember there is always a leadership drop-off from the leader to those they’re leading.  How much of a drop-off varies based on the person and circumstances but lets say the drop-off is 15%.

If you’re leading your team at an 84% and there’s a 15% drop-off from your leadership to your players leadership, your players will be leading at a 69%.

A level of leadership that warrants a D letter grade.

The drop-off from your leadership to those you lead varies but there is always a drop-off.  Knowing that, logic tells us if there’s a drop-off, then leading at our highest levels will raise the levels of those we’re leading.  Correct.

If you’d score as an 84% as a leader, you need to fight to raise that score.  We need to be so good as a leader that even if there’s a drop-off with our players, they’re still scoring at a high level.

So how strong of a leader are you?  How much do you work on your leadership?  How much thought do you put into being the absolutely best version of yourself?

Below is a list of ways you can actively grow as a leader.

  • Listen to leadership or coaching podcasts
  • Read 1-2 leadership books a month
  • Create a leadership text chat (group of friends, teammates, etc) who are committed to pushing each other to another level.
  • Evaluate your morning routine to assure you start your day filled up. What needs to be added?  What needs to be removed? (you can’t fill others if you’re empty)
  • Write-out 2-3 areas of leadership you’d like to build into a strength and pursue growth in those specific areas over the next 30-days.
  • Pray/Meditate to help you become a more “centered” leader.
  • Adjust who you follow on social media by adopting the 10&10 rule; each month un-follow 10 individuals or pages that distract you or “bring you down” and replace them with 10 new follows of individuals or pages that you believe will challenge you and inspire you to be greater

How many of these things are you doing regularly?

The higher level of leadership you possess; the higher level of leadership those around you will possess.  Live with a higher standard of living.  Coach with a higher standard of leading.

When the leader improves, everybody wins.

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Have fun and #LeadEmUp

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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!