Do you know anyone who wants to be a worse leader?
Of course not. Yet leadership growth rarely happens by accident - it happens through reflection. We improve when we examine our decisions, reactions, and relationships. A Leadership Journal could help coaches and players do exactly that: track your leadership moments, evaluate them honestly, and identify patterns that enhance or weaken your influence.
Reflecting on the Leaders Who Shaped You
Start by asking: Whom have I respected as leaders or coaches - and why?
What qualities earned your trust and admiration?
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Communication: clarity, simplicity, honesty
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Integrity: following through on words and promises
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Competence: deep domain knowledge and curiosity
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Optimism: belief that challenges can be overcome
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High Standards: setting the bar and modeling effort
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Trust: consistency and fairness in word and action
Strong leaders attract followers who think for themselves. As the saying goes, “Leaders make leaders, not servants.”
Learning from Poor Leadership
Equally powerful is recalling the leaders you held in low regard. What drove you - or others - away?
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Unapproachable
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Mercurial
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Untrustworthy
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Negative
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Controlling
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Paranoid
Poor leaders rarely lose positions first - they lose people. As the saying goes, “People don’t quit jobs; they quit people.”
The Power of Reflection
In Think Again, Adam Grant encourages a “Rethinking Scorecard” to capture moments when we change our minds. The same principle applies to leadership: document, dissect, and develop.
Your Leadership Journal might include entries such as:
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What leadership opportunity did I face today?
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How did I respond - model excellence, avoidance, or something in between?
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What attitude, belief, or value was at play?
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What might I do differently next time?
A Leadership Journal transforms experience into insight. It moves you from reacting in the moment to improving with intention. Over time, you’ll notice themes - where you thrive, where you stumble, and where growth awaits.
Leadership isn’t a static trait; it’s a practice. Writing is rehearsal for becoming better versions of ourselves.
Applying the Leadership Journal to Coaching Basketball
Basketball coaches live in a constant cycle of decisions—timeouts, substitutions, play calls, player development, and culture building. Every choice reveals values. A Leadership Journal shapes a quiet postgame huddle with yourself.
After practices or games, take five minutes to write:
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What leadership moments arose today?
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Did I model composure under pressure?
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Did my words clarify or confuse?
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Did I build trust or erode it?
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How did I handle adversity—an official’s call, a player’s mistake, a teammate’s conflict?
Patterns emerge. Maybe you react too quickly when frustrated, or maybe your best moments come when you listen first. A Leadership Journal helps you see yourself as your players see you.
Great teams mirror their coaches. Calm leaders breed calm teams. Curious leaders inspire learners. Accountable leaders create accountability. The act of journaling - simple, regular reflection - keeps leadership fresh and planned, not accidental.
In basketball, as in life, we play how we practice. A Leadership Journal helps maintain a scaffold for leading well.
Lagniappe. Coach Matt Dennis shares a few 'best practices'.
Coaches screenshot this, write it down, like the post, just don't forget about it.
— Coach Matt Dennis (@CoachMattDennis) October 13, 2025
- Define roles clearly with each player during pre-season and check in mid-season.
- Teach phrases players can use: “How can I help the team?”
- Have a “Team First” board where contributions are…
