This week’s conversation comes from the Finding Mastery Live that we recently hosted in Seattle with Seattle Seahawks head coach, Pete Carroll.

In 2009, a mutual friend put Coach Carroll and I together for dinner and instantly, I knew it was right.

We were talking about ancient principles, we were talking about modern science, we were talking about really collectively, how do you help people pursue their potential?

It was stimulating and we knew much of the same research. We’re interested in some of the ancient traditions the same way.

We discussed giving back: How do we give to the next generation?

At the end of the conversation he said, “Hey, why don’t you come up and see what we’re doing at the Seahawks?” And I thought, “Yeah, I’d love to see what you’re doing.”

It’s everything that I had hoped for.

The environment was electric, people were switched on, and they were reporting on day one that it was just different than anywhere else they’ve ever been.

Here we are, 10 years later.

I’ve spent about eight years with the Seattle Seahawks now and I couldn’t be more excited to introduce Coach Carroll as a friend, as the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks and a business partner in Compete to Create.

“Everybody is unique and special in their own way. We just need to figure out what it is and bring that to the surface so that they can truly be everything that they can possibly be.”

In This Episode:

• What makes a great coach: passion + perseverance + caring
• Being committed to helping the individual and why it starts with them getting clear on their beliefs
• What he stands for: competing and caring
• Why caring begins with being a good listener
• The key to listening: being connected to the present moment
• His advice for parents trying to get the most out of their kids in sport
• His process for helping his players feel more confident in their abilities
• Allowing his players to be themselves as long as their willing to be part of the team
• How he goes about having difficult conversations with his players
• Transitions: his chaotic journey from playing to coaching
• What fires him up? Seeing the potential in someone and figuring out how to get the most of them
• One of the greatest assets in life: spending more time in the present moment
• What he’s learned from getting fired at previous head coaching stops
• Who were the people that helped shape the coach he is today?
• How does he show he cares when he’s got a team of 50+ individuals?
• His process for staying calm and collected during high pressure situations
• Learning to clear your mind, why it’s an unbelievable power
• What he’s learned about building culture in professional organizations and beyond
• His definition of mastery