The Art of Leading Under Pressure
I introduce a simple yet powerful framework. It is the same model I used in 2010 as Head Coach for Team Great Britain Inline Hockey and hundreds of leaders since:
Hey coach,
Whether you’re a head coach or a business leader. You’re not just here to win more games.
You’re here to build a team worth leading — a team that thrives under pressure, not one that fractures when it matters most.
And that starts with this shift:
Systems help you win games.
Culture helps you win under pressure.
This isn’t about going soft.
This is about building resilience. It’s about developing players who can adapt mid-shift. It’s about crafting a standard that doesn’t collapse when things get loud.
This is what it means to lead beyond the bench.
🧊 Two Coaches. Two Paths. Same Pressure.
Let’s talk about two men who know this better than most:
Paul Maurice and Kris Knoblauch.
Both led teams to the Stanley Cup Final.
Both under intense scrutiny.
Both with completely different styles.
One Stanley Cup winner.
Paul Maurice
The veteran. Calm. Calculated. 1,800+ games behind the bench. He’s built Florida’s success on discipline, short shifts, and a culture of composure. His leadership isn’t loud — it’s steady. And it works. His players know the plan. They trust it. They trust him.
And they execute when it counts.
Kris Knoblauch
The upstart. Empowering. Relational. At 45, he coaches with trust — letting stars like McDavid and Draisaitl play their game. He’s less about control, more about co-creation. His bench energy is composed, even when the building’s shaking.
Two great leaders.
Two different blueprints.
Both were chasing the same goal — sustainable performance under pressure.
And here’s the key:
Neither is wrong.
However, we can debate whether Paul Marice learnt how to do both through hard-learned lessons over his career.
Rebuild Your Team: Get Your House in Order
When I work with head coaches and business leaders, this is the moment I introduce a simple yet powerful framework. It is the same model I used in 2010 as Head Coach for Team Great Britain Inline Hockey and hundreds of leaders since:
The House.
It looks like this:
Future: VISION — What are we building?
Left Wall: RESULTS + PROCESS — Your performance zone.
Right Wall: IMAGE + BEHAVIOUR — Your engagement zone.
The best coaches know their natural leaning (Take the Team Head Coach Profile Tool).
Some are all about systems, spreadsheets, and metrics.
Others lead from the heart — focused on values, vibe, and connection.
But real culture? It holds when all four walls are aligned.
Because under pressure, your players don’t just need systems — they need something to believe in.So Why Do Coaches Still Fail?
They over-manage the game plan, under-invest in people.
They preach values — but tolerate poor standards.
They talk about leadership — but don’t model it.
They’re building playbooks. But not a house.
And when the pressure builds? That house collapses.
The Blend is the Breakthrough
Maurice isn’t just a system guy. He’s a master of emotional regulation.
Knoblauch isn’t just a player’s coach. He makes bold calls and owns them when they don’t work.
The truth?
Great coaches don’t pick a lane.
They blend structure with soul.
They lead with calm and conviction.
They build systems and co-create standards.
They coach plays and shape culture.
And that’s what separates the ones who win — from the ones who build something that lasts.
Reflective Questions
What part of your “house” needs the most attention right now?
Do your systems support your culture — or undermine it?
When was the last time you challenged your own leadership habits under pressure?
Call to Action
If you're ready to move from tactician to culture architect — let’s talk.
Start by taking the free Team Culture Scorecard.
Then join me in the next Lead Beyond the Bench workshop.
We’ll walk through the five-step method to coach with clarity, regulate under pressure, and build a team your players are proud to be part of.
Because this isn’t just about winning.
It’s about building something worth coming back to — season after season.
👇
Schedule a call with me to talk about how we can collaborate - HERE
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