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Leadership and Performance Development

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8 Skills That Would Have Accelerated My Development

Informative

I wish I had appreciated the power of self-education to develop my professional skills. It is essential to reflect on the roles we’ve played in the past and learn from our behaviors. I have compiled a list of 8 skills that would have accelerated my development if I had taken action sooner. Maybe you can relate or adapt your current trajectory based on my experiences. Here we go…

Leadership

  • I only sometimes viewed myself as a leader. I initially thought leaders were those standing at the front. I have since learned that leadership stretches well beyond those at the front. Everyone can lead in creative ways. You must identify a need and take action to solve it. This skill can be developed with the purposeful pursuit of knowledge and know-how.   

Communication

  • It is essential to learn the craft of communication. There is a psychological component, and we must all understand how others operate to meet them where they are. Learn to read others’ body language and gestures to create messaging that resonates with them. 

Technology

  • I was late to join the social media movement. I did not seize the opportunity to create professional relationships via Twitter / X. Social media has allowed me to discover educational information I was once not privileged to. It gives you access to individuals who teach their craft that is transferable to my niche. Graphic design, website design, filming, photo capturing, copywriting, and scripting are all technological skills that would have propelled me toward my professional goals if I had acted sooner. I have since found ways to maximize their use and consider myself a professional. 

Storytelling

  • I must know how to tell a story to inspire others and create great educational content. I have begun researching the art of storytelling to communicate my message to my students and those I hope to reach through my leadership and performance brand Youniversalife.

Curriculum Development

  • I wish I had been more detailed and organized in my curriculum development in my physical education environment. The silver lining to the pandemic was that it required me to pivot my teaching mode. I was forced to become creative in how I taught physical education virtually. I discovered that I enjoyed crafting messages through storytelling to motivate others to make sound decisions about their physical and emotional health. This sparked my desire to create the Youniversalife platform that continues to educate others today, not only in the classroom but beyond.

Repurposing Content

  • The beauty of Physical Education is that much of its content is universal for everyone. Everyone must exercise in some capacity to develop a healthy well-being. The 6 Dimensions of Wellness, according to the National Wellness Institute, include emotional, occupational, physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual wellness. The dimensions allow me to create content that can be shared across multiple platforms that are relatable to everyone. I wish I had recognized this sooner to reach a larger audience by repurposing content and adapting it to all youth and adults. This is a skill that many educators should familiarize themself with to expand their intellectual property.  

Self-Care

  • As a coach, it was necessary to model healthy behavior through exercise, consuming a healthy diet, living out my spirituality, continuing my education, loving my family, etc. I knew that if my players were to follow me, I must live out what I was teaching. As a result, I was practicing self-care by default. I am imperfect and continually work on self-care, but I understand its benefits. I routinely adapt my self-care practices because of my changing needs and life’s curveballs.   

Educational Acumen

  • I struggled to understand and relate to other teaching departments early in my teaching career. I sat in Professional Learning Community meetings and felt lost. I did not have a grasp of all the terminology and educational design. This was a product of being a football coach and holding a Sport Management degree. My initial background was not in education. I was training how to develop players and sports programs. There was a learning curve that I had to overcome. Physical Education is vastly different than math or science. My teaching strategies and curriculum are presented differently than those of other departments. While this was an initial deficiency, it has become my strength because I have a diversified background in education and sports.

Ep. 18: Beauty Shop / Prime Time

Podcast

Deion “Prime Time” Sanders was anointed as the Head Football Coach at the University of Colorado – Interview

Spiritual Movement – Trending in the right direction 

  • Chris Pratt
  • Dion Sanders
  • Texas Long Horn QB (Quin Ewers)
  • Dabo Swinney
  • UFC Fighters

Youniversalife emphasis on Leadership & Performance

  • There is a need for leadership development in our society today.
  • There is a need for creativity & how to put those things into the world.

Who is talking about Leadership

Thank you

  • Like and share on all platforms (Call to Action)
  • See you again next time

Merchant of Hope

Leadership

Everyone wants to be part of something great. As a football coach, I discovered that most players seek to be part of a team that brings additional value to their life beyond the game. Many kids grow up without an father figure or mentor. These boys were often looking for a coach to fill that role. They were eager to follow a mission and vision filled with ideals. The gridiron callused their mind and body for the hardship that no other environment could provide. Strength and overall performance training made them feel strong, capable, & ready. The character and leadership development program taught them to communicate and operate effectively in the world. I felt like a merchant of hope.

Hope is the thing that forms in you because you keep going, which is something we all can draw from.

Debra Seattle

Where there is mission and vision, there is hope. People expect a better future and anticipate greatness on the other side of hardships. It is every professional educator and coach’s duty to be portals to hope. The portal must be an invitation to experience greatness. A merchant of hope extends a hand to welcome others into voluntary personal transformation. All in an attempt to help others encounter more.

What is Hope

Hope is the thing that forms in you because you keep going, which is something we all can draw from, according to Debra Seattle. The keep-moving-forward mindset is the creator of hope. The mind will eventually believe all adversity is conquerable. When you quit, your internal dialogue swings self-perception and internal talk toward disbelief. It erodes all previous victories one drip at a time. Hope is a well you can always draw from, but is only available through perseverance.

Create Margin

Author of Culturize, Jimmy Casas, says that leaders should create an environment where people feel no limits are placed on their talents or strengths. There should always be margin for growth and exploration. Great football coaches do not harness the talented. They put them in positions to succeed through schematic and physical tools. Educators do the same in classrooms. Corporate leaders recruit, train, and deploy their people people with confidence. When it’s evident that someone has a gift, unleash and let them run.

Leaders should create an environment where people feel there are no limits placed on their talents or strengths.

Jimmy Casas

When creating hope, great leaders appreciate and play the long game. The process is where actual development is established and continues to flourish. Mistakes will occur, but by modeling forgiveness and mastering one-degree shifts, the finish line will appear in the distance 🏁

Hope Finalized

I love what Jimmy Casas says about placing no limits on the talents and strengths of those around you. That is a significant piece to leadership and maximizing the team’s ability. If you’ve enjoyed this post, head to the YL Archive for more content.

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Attract the Right People in Your Tribe

Leadership

A tribe is a group of people that share a history and culture while operating in an enclosed environment. The modern society tribe is structurally different than many years ago. Tribes tend to be small. They may have resources that are vital to existence and must be protected. Modern tribes place a priority on culture. The working culture can jeopardize existence or allow the tribe to flourish. Tools are resources that enable tribes to exist and continue to grow. Today’s tools are electronic technologies, transportation, physical structures, athletic fields, etc. Without these various components, the tribe will falter. The people are the most valuable component of a tribe. To attract the right people in your tribe, you must protect the culture, tools, and people that allow it to operate. 

As a modern tribe leader, how do we protect our culture, tools, and people? 

We Must Carry the Banner!

To carry the banner high, we must set high standards for the “tribe.” Everyone must know how to operate and maintain their load. When the bar is not met, the leader must reinforce the standard and communicate the shortcomings of those involved. After sharing this, the leader teaches and provides resources, allowing members to renavigate their path.

The culture of your organization will be defined by the worst behavior you are willing to tolerate.

Todd Whitaker, Steve Gruenert, School Culture Rewired

Leaders must be conscious of their tone and delivery when reinforcing the standard. They must be effective communicators and understand how to influence behavior. An aggressive and demeaning tone erodes confidence and perceptions of others. This negative outcome will potentially infect the tribe with negative dialogue and activity.

I challenge you to infuse a sense of pride into every conversation and every action and to be intentional about inspiring others to want to do the same.

Jimmy Casas, Culturize

When leaders carry the banner, they do it with enthusiasm, a positive attitude, and body language. They do not fall victim to tempting gossip or undermining behavior. They relentlessly retract from this and steer with vibrance and compelling narratives that talk life into the tribe. “Banner Carriers” are proud of their tribe and speak with great admiration for its achievements and pursuits. They are eager to celebrate the accomplishments of others and are constantly seeking betterment for the entire tribe. Leaders know when the tribe wins, their existence will remain intact and will flourish. Author and Educational Leadership Consultant Jimmy Casas writes in his book Culturize, “I challenge you to infuse a sense of pride into every conversation and every action and to be intentional about inspiring others to want to do the same.” Intentionality with pride is an infectious approach that builds belief in the tribe. 

Moments of Crisis

In moments of crisis, people resort to tribal habits and seek out community to survive. This innate act has kept humans safe for millennia. Author and war reporter Sebastian Junger has an interesting take on people in moments of crisis through his book “Tribe.” He speaks about how difficulties can be a blessing and draw out the best in us. When times are tough, we naturally gravitate to those we trust for survival. When leaders create a community and a tribal environment, people feel safe, lean into trust, and act to preserve the existing culture and environment. When trust is not established, and there is no sense of community and positive culture, the people will retract and seek another tribe to self-preserve.  

Raise the Banner High

“Banner Carriers” are inviting and civil. They do a fantastic job of accepting others for who they are and the unique gifts they bring. The banner remains high when the leader deters negative attitudes and intrusions that erode the culture and climate. They do it with compassion and grace while giving everyone their signature moment. “Banner Carriers” model desired behavior through their lives, ultimately inspiring others to do the same. 

Work on strengthening your tribe with each interaction with your people. Take pride in these encounters and carry your banner high. If you’ve found this helpful, please share it on social media. Shoot it in an email to a friend or colleague who will benefit. You can find additional leadership content to maximize your banner-carrying ability at youniversalife.com 

Ep. 17: Spoonbread

Podcast

In today’s episode, I take 4 minutes to discuss the Spoonbread Festival in Berea, Ky.

Most notably, my personal insight on balloon glows.

I then venture into my journey to Educational Leadership. More to come on this topic…

You can also access the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcast.

For more content & blog posts, head to youniversalife.com for the full YL experience.

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Keep Moving Forward!

Ep. 16: Confidence Part 3

Podcast

In Ep. 16: Confidence Part 3, I discuss a powerful quote that hits home for me and can be valuable for others. This is a quick episode, but I wanted to share my current story.

Confidence is knowing that you will do something. It is not knowing that you can do something. 

  • Be a person of action and put forth the effort.
  • Persistence is the way to achievement. It may never be perfect, but at least you’ve stepped into the arena.

Check out youniversalife.com for more episodes and a wide range of leadership and performance content.

The episode can also be found on Spotify and Apple Podcast. Go check it out and share it with friends. Please leave a review; it definitely helps the show grow. Thank you.