Leading

From the Sidelines to the Trenches — Leading Like Coach Staley

Leadership isn’t about a title. It’s about trust, intention, and showing up — especially when things get hard.

I was recently inspired by an interview with Coach Dawn Staley, head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks. She reflected on the contrast between how she was coached as an athlete and how she now leads as a coach. During her Olympic journey, she described being pushed — even coerced — toward victory. It worked. But the experience left a lasting impression on her view of leadership.

Today, her approach is entirely different: she sets expectations, she pushes hard, but she does it with her team — not at them. Her players know she’s beside them in the trenches, holding herself to the same standards she expects of them. And that’s what builds trust, resilience, and a championship culture.

That philosophy resonates deeply with how we lead at JD Forward Strategies. Yes, we set a high bar. We work hard. And we expect a lot from our team. But no one is left to do it alone. Titles disappear in the day-to-day work. We succeed because we show up for each other. We lead from the front — not the sidelines.

Whether we’re managing security deployments, critical infrastructure programs, or strategic change initiatives, our goal is always the same: to deliver high-quality wins together — for our clients, our partners, and our team.

To me, that’s true leadership:

• Set the vision

• Do the hard work

• Lead with integrity

• Show your team you have their back — every step of the way

Coach Staley’s journey reminds us that the best leaders never forget what it’s like to be part of the team. That’s not weakness — it’s strength.