She was 45 years old, the head coach of Stanford women’s basketball, and now Tara VanDerveer wanted to make a change.

But it wasn’t taking another job or implementing a new offense. VanDerveer wanted to learn how to play the piano. 

So, she hired a teacher, started taking lessons, and improved little by little — applying some of what she learned to coaching.

“I wasn’t used to being a student. You make yourself vulnerable,” she said. “It helped me relate to our players better.”

VanDerveer has been playing the right notes now for more than five decades — and on Sunday, won her 1,203rd career game — surpassing Mike Krzyzewski to become the all-time college basketball wins leader.

Her eight rules for leading a team — recently featured in a New York Times interview — are relevant for coaches, executives and leaders everywhere:  

1. Hire right

“As my dad said, ‘You can’t win the Kentucky Derby on a donkey,’” VanDerveer told the paper.

But in her eyes, “hiring right” is more than getting good players. It’s also about putting together a supportive staff that can patch up any existing weaknesses.

2. Have a vision for your players and give them tools

In essence, set goals and expectations, and put team members in positions to do what they do best.

3. Don’t be the center of attention

Don’t make the organization or team about yourself. Assign responsibilities and delegate.

4. Outwork the players on your team

This isn’t just about putting in office hours. To VanDerveer, it’s also about having the discipline to take care of yourself as a leader — getting sleep and eating properly.

5. You can’t have 15 personalities

It’s impossible to coach 15 team members 15 different ways, but we can cater messages to the individual.

6. Every behavior is communication 

It’s not just words. Eye contact and body language are also incredibly important in VanDerveer’s program.

7. Know that if your senior leaders are unhappy, your whole team will be

Know who your influential team members are and make sure they are bought in. The rest of the team will follow.

8. Learn the art of the controlled meltdown

Don’t compromise the standard, but pick your battles and always treat people with respect. There’s a subtle art to knowing when to get your team’s attention.

After the win over Oregon State on Sunday, VanDerveer offered another critical piece of retrospective advice to her younger self.

"Work as hard as you can, but enjoy the journey," she said.

"I just did the best I could knowing what I knew then. Knowing what I know now, I would probably tell myself to relax."

Motivating the Younger Generation: Spell out a pathway for them, a narrative of where they can get to. If they think they can learn from you, they’ll stick around.

Searching for ways to improve team performance in 2024? Step into the arena of influence with The Daily Coach Network. Elevate your impact alongside sports executives, coaches, athletic directors, and business leaders.

Learn more and apply today here.

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