CMD 015: How To Build A Championship Team, with Chris Grill

CMD 015: How To Build A Championship Team, with Chris Grill

Hosted by: Greg Harrod

In This Episode

I am extremely grateful when I get to closely observe a great leader in action in an activity I enjoy.

Like basketball.

Our youngest son had the privilege to play in a high school basketball program led by a coach that many people say could be coaching successfully at any level.

And, in my son’s senior year, I was able to watch him and his teammates enjoy an experience few players have.

They won the state basketball championship.

What a thrill!

It was a once in a lifetime event for them (and for me).

Throughout the season and the three years prior to that, I observed the head coach, Chris Grill. I watched him as he invested countless hours building the program and developing the players.

It was clear to me that I could learn a lot about leading teams from him. I knew the strategies and techniques he used with his players and staff were applicable not just on the basketball court with young men in high school. They could be used by any leader in any situation.

So, as soon as the season ended I invited Chris to be on the show to share his experience and wisdom with me and with you.

I hope you enjoy this conversation and recognize how you too can build and lead a championship team just as Chris did this past season.

Today’s Guest

Chris Grill

Chris Grill has been coaching basketball at the high school level for over 23 years. And, in the 2020-2021 season, as the coach of the Maize (Kansas) High School boys basketball team, he led the team to their first state championship.

His coaching expertise and performance during the season was recognized with many awards including the following.

Wichita All Metro Coach of the Year
League (Ark Valley Chisholm Trail) Coach of the Year
Kansas 5A Coach of the Year
Kansas All State Coach of the Year
Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission – High School Boys Coach of the Year
Coach of Kansas Basketball Coaches Association All-Star Team Sports in Kansas: 2021 Boys Basketball Coach of the Year

He’s been practicing and perfecting his skills as a coach and leader since his playing days at Butler County Community College, Marist University, and Wichita State University.

Chris knows what he’s doing when it comes to basketball. But, he also knows how to lead young men and develop their character.

Off the court, he is also a dedicated teacher, husband, and father of three sons.

You’ll Learn

That building championship teams takes time

How bad teams can become champions

The power of having team members complete self-assessments as well as assessments of their teammates

Why having team members focus on their unique strengths more than their weaknesses brings success

The benefit of doing what comes easy first and being patient to wait for opportunities to show other skills

Why you sometimes have to be flexible with rules to get the most from each team member

How humility with the people who report to you is critical for success as a leader

The importance of having the courage to stop doing things that aren’t working

The role of establishing ownership for each person on the teams you lead

3 Fundamental Career Skills from Today’s Guest

1. Take care of your family

Work together as a team with your family to take care of each other. This allows you to focus your energy when you are at your job on getting work done.

Continually adjust and adapt to continue to find what works best at home just like you do at work. If something isn’t working, try something else.

2. Set clear expectations for your team

Make sure the people on your team know what you expect of them and that they understand your expectations of them.

3. Build relationships

Treat every person on your team with kindness and let them know you care about them.

Regardless of the person’s performance or contribution make sure each team member knows you value them as a person and member of the team.

Investing in building relationships early will help make difficult conversations easier to have and more effective for you and for them. They will know you cared about them and their well being even if you have to make difficult, uncomfortable decisions they don’t like at the time.

Links and Resources from this Episode

Follow the Maize High Boys Basketball Team on Twitter (@MHSBBallBackers)

Connect with Chris Grill through email at (cgrill AT usd266.com)

Images of A Championship Season

Photo credit: Dan Loving and Lena Grill

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Thank You

As always, thank you for listening and for sharing this with others who may find the Connect Mobilize Deliver podcast valuable.

Let’s lead with kindness and confidence.

Greg

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