Malia Shoji, the head volleyball coach at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, really dives deep into what it takes to build a successful team. She talks about how important it is to have strong connections among team members, a commitment to growth, and everyone being on the same page with their goals. Before taking on this role, Malia had a great run at Utah, where she helped lead the team to six NCAA Tournament appearances in a row. She played a big part in getting players recognized as First Team All-Americans and achieving high national rankings. In our chat, Malia shares her approach to creating a team culture that's not just about winning games, but also about having healthy relationships within the team. We get into the nitty-gritty of what it's like to start a new program, how team values evolve over time, and why things like being genuine, open, and dedicated are so crucial to a team's success. She tells some personal stories from her volleyball journey, highlighting how important it is to recognize and nurture both the skills players show on the court and the qualities they bring off the court. We also get into some coaching tactics, like how to give effective feedback and the impact that Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules have on college sports. And to cap it all off, Malia shares some advice for parents who have kids in sports. 

Key Takeaways & Timestamps:

• What’s the importance of deep connection, commitment to growth and a clear mission within your team?
• What’re some practical strategies for embedding team values both on and off the court?
• How can you use the Development Pyramid to drive your team members through feedback and growth?
• Where does coaching volleyball align with building an amazing team?

(00:23 ) Introduction

(02:00 ) The Core Values of a Successful Team

(05:57 ) Deep Connections: The Essence of Team Building

(07:56 ) Commitment in Action: Beyond Individual Needs

(09:43 ) Family Influence: Volleyball and Beyond

(14:07 ) On-Court vs. Off-Court: Balancing Skills and Team Chemistry

(16:01 ) Celebrating Growth: The Butterfly Moments

(19:10 ) Navigating Feedback and Recognition in Team Dynamics

(22:04 ) The Development Pyramid: A Framework for Growth

(25:16 ) Advice for Parents of Young Athletes

(26:47 ) Recruitment Philosophy and Building a Team Culture

(28:06 ) Navigating NIL and Athlete Retention in College Sports

(29:58 ) Personal Motivation and the Impact of Coaching

(33:46 ) Sharing the Tacos

Mentions:

The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday, Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Connect with Malia:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malia-shoji-77228513/

Build Stronger, Connected, More Engaged Teams:

https://heytaco.com/

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About the Amazing Teams Podcast

We started this podcast because we love teams, especially amazing ones. Michael Jordan said it best, "Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships." This is what we're all about!

Our mission is to help others build amazing teams by having authentic conversations with remarkable people who are building amazing teams. We will explore the tactics, strategies, and frameworks that have helped them succeed.

The Amazing Teams Podcast is produced by HeyTaco. Please share your feedback with us here: https://amazingteams.com/feedback.