🎧 Listen (4.5 min)
The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the most dominant teams in the NFL. Year after year, they compete at the highest level – and they don’t leave winning to chance.
They have 53 players on their active roster and 29 coaches.
What’s their secret? They have 29 people whose sole job is to develop, refine, and elevate the performance of elite athletes.
They don’t just rely on talent alone. They invest in coaching because they want to be the best.
Now, here’s the real question: Why do so many organizations expect leaders to perform at their best – without coaching?
No NFL team says, “We’ll just promote the best players and hope they figure it out.” No, they invest in coaches to help players refine their skills, make better decisions under pressure, and reach levels of performance they wouldn’t hit on their own.
Business is no different. You want leaders who: make high-impact decisions under pressure, build and develop talent around them, and continuously improve and adapt.
Too many organizations assume leaders will just “figure it out.” No coaching, no feedback loops – just expectations to perform. And then they wonder why leadership gaps appear.
Investing in leadership training is great. But understand what training is – and what it isn’t.
One of my clients worked under a leader who was a classic micromanager – controlling every detail, unwilling to delegate, and constantly second-guessing their team. It wasn’t just frustrating – it was driving people out. Several employees had already left because of this boss.
The company recognized the issue and attempted to fix it. They sent the boss to a series of leadership training programs. No coaching – just training. At first, there were small improvements. The boss made an effort to change, but within weeks, they slipped right back into their old habits. Why?
Because sitting through a PowerPoint presentation on how to delegate doesn’t magically rewire behavior. Knowing what to do isn’t the same as doing it – especially under pressure.
Imagine if the Chiefs prepared for the Super Bowl by only watching game film and sitting through strategy meetings. No live drills. No coaching. No practice.
Would they magically execute under pressure on game day? No chance.
NFL teams don’t just hand players a playbook and expect them to win. They train hard, get real-time feedback, adjust strategies, and refine skills through coaching every single day.
Leaders don’t even get a playbook. They step into leadership roles with no structured guide for handling tough conversations, navigating change, or developing their teams. No clarity on how they are perceived. No real understanding of what’s expected of them, where they excel, or where they struggle. Yet, they’re expected to just figure it out. No coaching. Little to no feedback. Barely any real support.
If you want highly effective leaders who build high-performing teams, invest in their development. Just like in sports, execution – not just knowledge – determines who wins.
The teams that win – on the field and in business – aren’t the ones that just hire talent. They coach it.
The Chiefs have 53 players and 29 coaches because championships aren’t left to chance. They don’t just hire talent. They develop it. Your organization should too.
Sign up for the monthly newsletter, Insights! Subscribers get practical tips from a seasoned coach.
Enter your email below to receive the monthly newsletter, Insights, where I share expert insights, learning, and advice!
