The secret to lasting life change is found in building great relationships. At Next Level Performance, when we look back on our time with an athlete we ask three key questions to determine the success of our athletic and leadership training: Did the athlete become a better player? Did the athlete become a better person? Did the athlete enjoy this … Read More
The One Quality Great Teammates Have in Common
During my playing career, every football program I’d ever been a part of was about seniority, more so than service. Sophomores carried the water and equipment, seniors ordered them around. A coming of age meant more bossing around and less busy work. Admittedly, I ran my program this way my first season as a head coach. It was what I … Read More
The Lessons We Can Learn from Great Athletes
Development is a term we hear thrown around a lot, but what does it mean? Progress? Growth? Learning? At Next Level we believe development is building. Building complete people – young men and women who are great leaders, students, athletes, and servants of others. There is a new house being built in my neighborhood, adjacent to my property. Brick by … Read More
Mastering the Art of Tough Love
Repost from Growing Leaders by Tim Elmore Recently, I blogged about how parenting has become a “religion” in America, where children have become the absolute centerpiece of the home and nothing negative can be said about them. Yep. Some time between our childhood and the moment we had children of our own, parenthood became a religion. As with many religions, … Read More
The Case for Margin in a Student’s Life
Repost from Growing Leaders by Tim Elmore I’ve noticed a subtle pattern in college and high school students. I wonder if you’ve seen it too. Over the past year, I’ve marveled at what kids find humorous. At times, I’m startled at the misfortunes — even “fails” — that kids watch on YouTube and find funny. Recently, I formed an informal … Read More
Helping Athletes Navigate a Short-Term, Shortcut Mindset
Repost from Growing Leaders by Tim Elmore I just spoke at an event for NCAA coaches and staff. During the day, I took part in a conversation about how coaches have changed their approach to recruiting and leading high school athletes, now that the TGIF Generation (Twitter, Google, Instagram and Facebook) has emerged. Coaches face challenges they didn’t have to … Read More