44 Sports Connect – Wrapping Up Our 8-Week Mastermind Group with Coaches

We just finished an incredible 8-week Mastermind group with a passionate group of sports coaches, centered around John Maxwell’s powerful book Everybody Communicates, Few Connect. The insights and conversations that came out of this journey were truly transformational.

Our focus was clear: how do we build bridges of trust and connection with both parents and athletes? When done well, you don’t end up with a "helicopter parent" constantly hovering—you build an ally who supports your coaching, giving you the freedom to actually lead and grow your team.

Throughout our sessions, we explored what it means to be a coach who truly connects, not just commands.

We talked about:

• Creating meaningful experiences that engage your players.

• Asking better questions to understand your athletes more deeply.

• Telling stories that resonate, teach, and inspire.

• Truly knowing your players—their struggles, mindset, and motivations.

• Setting high expectations not just for their performance, but for who they are as people.

• Enjoying the process, embracing growth, and being present in the journey.

• Leading by example—walking the walk, not just talking the talk.

The stories shared by the coaches were nothing short of powerful, like the athlete who didn’t get much playing time but still thanked their coach for helping them deal with anxiety. That’s an impact beyond the game. That’s what connection looks like.

If you're a coach, take a moment to reflect: Are you merely communicating, or are you genuinely connecting?

Let’s continue to grow, learn, and make an impact on and off the field.

Tyler Lennon- 44 Sports Connect LLC