What a Kids' Soccer Coach Can Teach Us About Leading Teams

Over the past couple of years, I’ve had the privilege of watching my husband, Michael, coach our daughter’s soccer team. It’s been an unexpected but powerful leadership lesson - one that has me reflecting on the qualities that make him such an effective and inspiring coach.

What makes Michael a great leader?

• Timely, specific feedback – He keeps both the team, and their parents informed, striking the right balance between communication and overwhelm. Everyone knows what they need to, exactly when they need to.

• Strength-based approach – He sees and amplifies each player’s unique strengths, helping them recognise the value they bring to the team and refine their skills accordingly.

• Personalised development – He knows where each player is at and what their next challenge should be, offering tailored guidance to stretch them just the right amount.

• Mindset matters – As a parent, this is one of my favourite aspects of his coaching. He reinforces what the team can control - sticking to the game plan, playing their best, focusing on refining a skill - rather than getting distracted by things like bad calls or sideline noise.

• Prioritising fun – The girls have an absolute blast, and Michael is at the centre of it all - inside jokes, training games, and never taking himself too seriously. Laughter is as much a part of practice as drills.

• Building team connection – He intentionally creates moments for the team to bond, whether it’s staying after training to share a meal or simply fostering a culture of support and camaraderie.

• Celebrating the wins – He’s their biggest cheerleader, especially when they step outside their comfort zone. He makes sure they know when they’ve done something great and personally reaches out to encourage them when big opportunities, like elite training invites, come their way.

• Creating leadership opportunities – He extends trust and responsibility to the players, giving them chances to lead. Just last week, he had one of the girls take charge of organising the defence, helping her develop confidence in guiding her teammates.

• Clear expectations – Every week, he ensures the team understands their formation and each position's responsibilities, creating clarity so they can focus on playing rather than second-guessing their roles.

• Embracing individuality – With 13 unique individuals on the team, Michael makes sure every one of them feels seen, valued, and supported. This week, he reached out to the family of a Muslim teammate to ask how he could best support her during Ramadan - because what matters to them, matters to him.

• True coaching – He doesn’t just instruct—he asks questions. “Where should you be? What does the pivot do? Where is the danger?” He’s not just teaching them how to play; he’s teaching them how to think about the game.

There are so many parallels between how Michael leads this team and how we, as leaders in business, not-for-profit and volunteer engagement, can create environments where people feel valued, supported, and motivated to bring their best.

What unexpected places have you found leadership lessons?