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- It's Not What They're Saying. It's What They're Not.
It's Not What They're Saying. It's What They're Not.
Body Language & Superstars
The best aren’t getting better on their own, they’re getting better because they are being coached.

“If your body language is bad, you will never get in the game. Ever.
I don’t care how good you are.”
Recently, a video of UConn women's basketball head coach Geno Auriemma has sparked heated debate online. In the video, Geno explains that he refuses to play his athletes if they display poor body language during practice or while sitting on the bench during games. He clarifies that this decision isn’t about motivation but teaching a vital lesson: no player is bigger than the team, and their demeanor and communication with teammates directly influence their playing time. Critics argue that such a coaching mentality is outdated and harsh, but I strongly disagree.
Body language is vital when it comes to leading a successful team. It’s a none-verbal signal to those around you of how you’re feeling, what you think about a situation and if you favour that situation. Negative body language hinders all, even if you don’t see it and extends beyond just sports; it’s a universal issue in any team-oriented environment, including business. When individuals exhibit poor body language, it often reflects a deeper issue, such as a bad mental attitude or most of the time, a lack of engagement. This not only affects their performance but also the overall dynamics of the team. For instance, a sulking employee can dampen team spirit and productivity, much like a sulking athlete can hinder a team's success. Because they’re unwilling to make selfless decisions that may have a great impact on the wider team.
Geno stance is clear: players with poor body language do not see the court. But his philosophy goes beyond mere discipline; it’s about instilling a sense of responsibility and unity among his players. By benching those who display negative body language, he sends a strong message that individual attitudes must align with the team’s values and goals. This approach helps cultivate a culture of respect, effort, and positivity. Geno’s approach, though criticized, is fundamentally about ensuring the success and cohesion of his team. Players who sulk on the bench or show laziness on the defensive end are detrimental, regardless of their talent. Leaders in sports and business alike need to understand that fostering a positive team environment is crucial for achieving collective success. By prioritising attitude and body language, Geno teaches his players that success is a collective effort, and each member’s behaviour has a significant impact.
But what if they’re a superstar?
Don’t Be Scared Of Benching The Superstar
Alex Ferguson, Pep Guardiola, Jürgen Klopp, Bill Belichick, Nick Saban, and Gregg Popovich are some of the greatest sporting coaches the world has seen. One commonality among these legendary figures is that they all managed teams with superstars. However, despite having these exceptional talents, these coaches recognised the importance of maintaining team cohesion and discipline, even if it meant making tough decisions about their star players.
Most leaders, when faced with a superstar on their team, tend to give that individual more "freedom to move." As a coach recently told me, these players are often allowed to do things their way, whenever they want, because they are seen as the "winning spark" of the team. This can create a double-edged sword; while the superstar's talent can lead to victories, their autonomy can sometimes disrupt team dynamics and discipline. Another aspect you could be forgetting is that you may have another younger superstar, under your very nose. But you haven’t seen them because the superstar takes up too much of your visual and mental space. By occasionally benching the superstar it free’s up space for others to step up and prove themselves to the team. There are also several other good reasons as well as what is outline above. It reinforces team discipline, promotes unity, enhances player development, maintains physical and mental health, and demonstrates strong leadership by not being dictated to by players. While it may seem counterintuitive to bench a top talent, the long-term benefits for the team can be significant. By prioritising the collective over the individual, coaches and managers can build a more cohesive, resilient, and successful team that will last beyond that one person and their contract length.
This philosophy can be broken down into a few key principles:
1. Team Over Individual
Gregg Popovich: Known for his "no excuses" policy, emphasising that every player, no matter how talented, must adhere to team principles.
Jürgen Klopp: Stresses the importance of every player's role in the team's success, promoting a strong sense of unity and collective responsibility.
2. Accountability and Responsibility
Bill Belichick: Famous for his mantra "Do Your Job," ensuring that every player understands their role and is accountable for their actions.
Nick Saban: Focuses on process over outcome, where every team member is responsible for their preparation and performance.
3. Discipline and Respect
Pep Guardiola: Implements strict training regimes and expects high levels of professionalism, ensuring that even the most talented players respect team protocols.
Alex Ferguson: Maintained discipline through a no-nonsense approach, ensuring that players' egos did not disrupt team harmony.

"To create a winning culture, every player must be willing to sacrifice their ego for the good of the team. It’s not about individual accolades; it's about collective success."
- Coach Pat Riley on Benching Magic Johnson
Coaches Notes:
Emphasise Team Over Individual
Successful high-performance teams prioritise collective goals over individual achievements. Coaches like Gregg Popovich and Jürgen Klopp highlight the importance of every player adhering to team principles and contributing to overall unity.
Promote Accountability and Responsibility
Each team member must understand and be accountable for their role. Coaches like Bill Belichick, with his "Do Your Job" mantra, and Nick Saban, who focuses on process over outcome, ensure that players are responsible for their preparation and actions.
Foster Positive Body Language and Attitude
Positive body language is crucial as it reflects engagement and attitude. Negative body language can hinder team dynamics and performance. By prioritising positive demeanor, leaders like Geno Auriemma teach that each member's behavior impacts the team's success.
Don't Hesitate to Bench Superstars
Maintaining team discipline sometimes requires benching even top talents. This approach, used by coaches like Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola, ensures that individual autonomy does not disrupt team dynamics and allows other players to step up and develop.
Install Discipline and Respect
High levels of professionalism and strict adherence to team protocols are essential. Coaches like Pep Guardiola and Alex Ferguson maintain discipline and respect within the team, ensuring that players' egos do not interfere with team harmony and success.