Leadership and Life Balance
How Do I Run a Team Meeting That Athletes Listen To?
Rhema Adelaja · National Champion & 4x DUX
Give each meeting one theme and keep it short, in chunks of 15 to 30 minutes. Say less and be specific. Wait until emotions settle before you review a match. Show your team culture by what you do. End with one question and one next action.
The answer
- Pick one theme for each meeting: technique, tactics or review. One topic is easier to remember.
- Keep it short. Work in chunks of 15 to 30 minutes, never more. Opponent briefings can be shorter still.
- Talk less, and invite the team in. If you say too much, athletes stop listening and do not keep the important part. Keep your direction, then ask for their thoughts. Performance coach Ronan Conway describes a football coach who did this in post-game reviews and opponent analysis, and reports that players felt more trusted and took more ownership.
- After a match, wait. Emotions are high whether you win or lose. Let everyone settle, look at the video and stats, then make specific comments.
- Come back to your team culture often. Culture is shown more by what people do than by what is said.
- Ask the team the four questions: what happened, what was in our control, what did we learn, and what is our next action?
- End with one clear next action. Say it out loud and then do it.
Steps 1, 2, 4 and 5 come from advice by Terry Liskevych, a former Olympic and collegiate volleyball coach. Step 3 draws on an article by performance coach Ronan Conway for the Leaders Performance Institute.
For information only. This is general information for student-athletes, not medical, legal, financial or professional advice. Talk to a qualified professional about your own situation. Terms
Rules and amounts change. Check the official source before you act. Last checked: 14 October 2026.