3 Questions

As we begin the fall semester, I personally make it a point to meet with each member of the staff weekly. It's an opportunity to sit down and dive into some deeper discussions than we normally have on the weight room floor. To kick off the year, I asked each assistant three key questions: 1. What projects or goals do you have for the semester that you want me to periodically check in on to hold you accountable? 2. How do you want to be evaluated in terms of doing a good job or not? 3. What's one departmental assignment or task that you want to proudly own this year? These questions serve multiple purposes. First, it gives each assistant a chance to clearly define their personal and professional goals. By identifying these projects, they take ownership and gain a sense of accountability—not just to me, but to themselves. The weight of accountability shifts when someone knows they’ll be asked to report back on progress. Second, asking how they want to be evaluated opens the door to honest conversations about performance. Everyone has their own interpretation of success. For some, it might be about numbers in the weight room, while others might focus more on team culture or communication. Defining success on their terms gives them a sense of control over their development. Lastly, assigning a specific department task is more than just delegation—it's about ownership. I want each assistant to have something they can take pride in, a task they can make their own and contribute to the success of the team in a way that’s uniquely theirs. And selfishly, it helps take some work off my plate! By asking these questions, my goal is to create a staff culture that values growth, accountability, and pride in their work. It also ensures we’re all on the same page, working toward the same vision, while allowing individual strengths to shine. What questions are you asking yourself and your staff this semester? Are you creating an environment that fosters ownership, accountability, and personal growth?

Let me know if you have any questions or ideas—I'd love to hear how you approach these kinds of discussions with your staff. Keep the fire burning, Leech Keep the fire burning. Leech P.S. – If you need a training program to stay on track this season, The Villain Arc is calling you! It’s a 12-week hypertrophy program with some brutal training sessions dialed up weekly—perfect for taking out your frustrations after a rough practice! x The Villain Arc Follow me on Twitter! I try to share training clips, thoughts, and ideas daily there. Twitter Profile