Ep. 44: Storytelling, Visualization, and the Secret Sauce of Sustainable Leadership with Al Lattell (Part 1)

With this episode, we’re diving deep into the heart of athletic leadership!  I had an incredible chat with none other than Al Lattell, a mastermind in reshaping how we approach leadership within athletics. Al and I have known each other since high school, and it’s been amazing to follow his professional journey.

Al’s not your average leadership coach. His experiences span from the locker rooms of Boston University to the strategic planning sessions at Harvard, and now to the frontlines of leadership development at Georgetown. What sets Al apart? He has a systems perspective on leadership, and feels just as comfortable workshopping with athletes as he does talking strategy and culture with coaches and athletic directors. His holistic approach to leadership goes beyond the field, ensuring athletes are prepared for life’s challenges both during and after college.

The Heart of the Matter

In our chat, Al laid out his philosophy that true leadership is less about dictating actions and more about fostering an environment where every team member can grow. It’s about creating a culture that isn’t just about winning games but developing life skills. Al emphasizes that the cornerstone of effective leadership is the right culture. It’s not just about setting rules; it’s about weaving a sense of responsibility, support, and mutual respect into the very fabric of the team.

One actionable strategy Al champions is the power of visualization. He encourages athletes to envision their success in both sports and personal endeavors. This mental rehearsal not only prepares them for the task at hand but also instills a sense of self-belief that can ripple out to other aspects of their lives.

Leadership and Role Models

Understanding and navigating the unique dynamics of each team is crucial. Al uses the analogy of cooking—just as the right ingredients make a perfect dish, the right mix of personalities and skills makes a successful team. Because after all, leadership isn’t a destination but a journey of continuous self-discovery and growth. Al drives home the importance of self-reflection as a tool for personal and team growth. He suggests regular check-ins where team members can reflect on their performance and set new goals.

And who is at the head of the pack? Identifying and emulating role models within the team can dramatically amplify an individual’s growth. Al talks about how peer mentors within the team can serve as real-time examples of leadership in action.

Practical Exercises

Al doesn’t just talk the talk; he walks it through practical exercises that any team can implement:

• Leadership Workshops: Regular sessions that focus on developing skills like public speaking, conflict resolution, and effective communication. As a coach or athletic director, taking the time to assess your athletes and determine their leadership strengths and areas of growth will help you be purposeful with the leadership programming you implement.

• Feedback Loops: Creating intentional systems where feedback is not only encouraged but acted upon, fostering a culture of continual improvement. It’s important to layer this on top of an environment of physical and psychological safety, since athletes (just like humans in general) aren’t open for business when they don’t feel safe!

An important throughline here is that leadership is something that CAN be cultivated. Too often, coaches look for the person they think already embodies the traits of a leader, or worse, just pick the best player on the team to be a captain. Al’s approach - to build skills from the ground up, while supporting those skills with an intentional environment - suggests that everyone has the capacity to grow their own leadership toolkit, even if it’s just to lead themselves better.

Community and Accountability

A big part of our discussion revolved around the role of community in sustaining leadership. Al believes that a supportive network not only enhances individual performance but also fortifies the entire team’s resolve. He stresses the importance of accountability—not as a means of enforcement, but as a way to uphold and honor the team’s collective goals.

It’s clear that Al Lattell’s approach to leadership development is both innovative and deeply effective. By focusing on the holistic development of athletes, he’s not just preparing them to win games; he’s equipping them to win at life.

Whether you’re a coach, an athlete, or anyone leading a team in any capacity, the strategies Al shared today are golden. Remember, great leaders aren’t born; they’re made through intentional practice, continuous learning, and an unwavering commitment to growth.

Al Lattell | LinkedIn

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