159. You want to lead a basketball team (not a golf team)

159. You want to lead a basketball team (not a golf team)

8:15 Feb 2, 2026
About this episode
Are you leading talented people who work hard but don’t really move together?Most leadership teams don’t struggle with effort. They struggle with coordination. As companies grow, it’s easy to drift into a model where everyone performs individually, yet progress feels heavy, slow and overly dependent on the CEO.In this episode, Phil breaks down a simple but powerful distinction that reshapes how CEOs think about leadership, growth, and team performance.Learn how to diagnose whether your company is operating like a golf team or a basketball teamUnderstand why individual excellence can quietly stall company-wide growthDiscover practical leadership moves that shift teams from effort-driven to intent-driven performanceIf you want to lead a team that creates real momentum (not just activity) this episode will give you a clearer way to see, think and act as a CEO.ALSO, take a listen to Ryan Hawk's Learning Leader Show. It's a brilliant leadership resource.New episodes Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.More from Phil Hayes-St ClairSubscribe to the free Wednesday Partnership Newsletter (and get immediate access to my Frameworks Vault)FOR CEOsIf you’re stepping into bigger leadership moments and want support at the CEO level, explore my CEO Coaching.FOR GTM LEADERSIf you're ready to build a repeatable GTM system that actually closes deals and creates leverage for your organisation, apply to join The Partnership LabFind me on LinkedInThe Partnership Playbook is the podcast for leaders who want to grow with clarity, create leverage through partnerships, and lead their teams with meaning. Each episode gives you practical insights drawn from two decades of building and backing companies, coaching CEOs, and closing high-value partnerships across industries. You’ll learn how to scale yourself as a leader, choose partners that help you grow faster, and turn trust, alignment, and first wins into momentum that lasts.PS - Have a CEO guest recommendation for the show? Share this link with them.
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