There is a new women’s basketball coach at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Returning team members welcomed the freshman and a whole new coaching staff. It will be an exercise in change management to bring them all together as a team, and coach Marisa Moseley is up for the challenge. A recent news story described her plan for establishing her team’s culture.

She has established an identity for her team to work toward with the fitting acronym W-I-S-C. It stands for Winning mindset. Integrity. Selflessness. Communication. She encourages her players to apply the four pillars to their classwork and at home, as well as on the court.

In his book InsideOut Coaching, Joe Ehrmann describes how one of the best coaches he ever played for shouted “Dig!” during lacrosse practice. The coach’s model could be interpreted to dig for the ball—or even to dig deep and work hard during practice. But to the coach it meant D-I-G: Dignity. Integrity. Grace. 

I’ve written previously about the foundation of my dad’s coaching program, D-D-S, and how I’ve applied Desire. Discipline. Structure. to write my book.

I think it’s noteworthy that these coaches don’t include anything about numbers of wins, or points to score. Not one of these models includes an expectation of physical abilities or talent. And, there is a distinct difference between Moseley’s winning mindset and winning.

Winning mindset. Integrity. Selflessness. Communication.

Dignity. Integrity. Grace.

Desire. Discipline. Structure. 

Rather, the building blocks of these programs are about attitudes and behaviors.

Skills are important to play the game, but teamwork and long-term success begins with relationships and commitment to a common set of ideals. It’s about putting the team first and choosing behaviors that strengthen the team.

The first responsibility of coaches is to help their team build relationships and understand that each member plays an important role in achieving success.

The same is true of teams in the workplace. I’ve read many articles indicating the most common reason people leave their jobs is because of lack of leadership, especially from their direct supervisor.

Coaches like Moseley and Ehrmann (and my father, when he coached) know their job is about more than developing players. They develop future leaders for our communities and workplaces. Leaders that will guide companies, governments, and educational institutions.

That’s why I will be rooting for Moseley with all my heart. She has been asked to rebuild a basketball team, but she is positioned to accomplish much more.

Read more

How Badgers women’s basketball plans to define success during its rebuild by Abby Schnable, Wisconsin State Journal, October 8, 2021

InsideOut Coaching—How sports can transform lives by Joe Ehrmann, Gregory Jordan, and Paula Ehrmann 

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