Leadership Lessons From a Life in Sports
I recently spoke to Claudio Reilsono, the head baseball coach at Carnegie Mellon University, about his thoughts on leadership, sports and the relationship between the two. Claudio is also a scout, an entrepreneur, a sports TV show host and a podcaster. Claudio is the co-host of the Steel City Sports TV show and the host of Ring Talk, Pittsburgh's only TV Boxing Show, as well as The Claudio Reilsono Sports Show podcast.
Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. You have developed friendships with great athletes and coaches across many sports. How did you build those relationships? And what advice do you have for others on how to effectively build personal and professional relationships?
Claudio: First off Adam, It is a thrill and an honor to do this interview for you and the followers/fans of your Blog. I think the reason why I have had a good relationship with these athletes and coaches is the same reason why I feel I have a good relationship with anyone. Being genuine. Admire and respect what they did in pro sports, yes. But I admire and respect more for what type of person they are. How they are in business. Their after sports life. They know that I didn't just like the athlete but I like and respect the person. Plus I never ask anything from them. If anything, I try to assist them in any business dealings. So I would say be genuine. Try to always be a plus in someone's personal and or business life.
Adam: Who are the greatest leaders you have been around and why? What did you learn from them?
Claudio: #1. My Mom & Dad. When my Dad (Olindo) got sick in 1969 my Mom (Ida) knew how to keep the ship afloat. She knew how to save money, take care of all of us until my Dad was able to get back on his feet. My Dad went through a lot in life but made a great comeback and was able to give us all a great life. He was knocked down 6 times but got up 7. They both assured us that everything was going to be OK. And it was. We endured the hardships and came out even better. There was no panic involved. Just let's get things done. Great Parents..Great Leaders. Now the other two “ coaches” who were “ leaders” that I was around taught me a ton! Taught me what NOT to do! They had no clue about the X's & O's, but more importantly, the one was not good with people and the other one was OK with people but was awful with me. He was selfish. Both very insecure. They taught me how not to be with your team. Even though they put me through hell, I was lucky to have them.
Adam: In your experience, what are the defining qualities of an effective Leader?
Claudio: Simple. 1. Work hard so you know your business and can be confident with your decisions. Then people will trust you. 2. Be approachable. 3. They won't care what you know until they know that you care. 4. Communicate
Adam: How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?
Claudio: Trial and error. Study yourself and improve. Be honest about your work and how you treat people. Have the proper role models. You do that, you can't help but improve and go to the next level. And by next level I mean just being a better, more confident and successful leader on the field and off.
Adam: From your years as a baseball coach, what advice can you share on building, leading and managing teams that is relevant to all leaders?
Claudio: People are people. Everyone wants to be respected, improve. Cared for. They want to succeed. It doesn't matter what field you are in. You do these things with your team and they will respond. But you also have to know your business. You have to have a presence as well. A look, an attitude. Confidence. People do not want to follow someone who is not confident with their decisions. Panics. Not dressed properly. Look the part. Know the part… and care.
Adam: What are the best life lessons you have learned from your years in baseball as a coach, pro scout and fan?
Claudio: Something one of my favorite people and my friend, former NC State NCAA Championship Head Basketball Coach Jim Valvano, said,“ If you don't work hard I can guarantee that you will not succeed. If you do work hard, although I can't guarantee that you will succeed, I can guarantee that your chances to succeed will improve!” And Chuck Knox, former Head Coach of the LA Rams, Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills said this to me when I was 9 years old: “Claud, you make your own breaks in life.” And Chuck also used to say, “ Be prepared for everything and ready for anything.” Those three pieces of advice were proven correct in my years in baseball and really in life.
Adam: What are the most important lessons you try to teach your players?
Claudio:
Life is tough. Don't make it tougher by doing something stupid.
Watch your money. Don't blow it. Don't be careless with it. Be smart with it. As my Dad used to say, “ Keep the wolf away from the door.”
Never put your hands behind your head and your feet up on a desk and think, “Man, I have it made!” Keep pushing. Be happy with your accomplishments but not content or satisfied. Keep accomplishing more. It's a quick trip from the Penthouse to the Out House so keep at it! Or as Dan Marino once said, “You can do more… You can always do more.”
Get knocked down 6 times, rise 7.
Adam: How do you explain your love for baseball to those who do not share the same passion for the game?
Claudio: On August 19, 1973 I was 8 years old. I went to my first Pittsburgh Pirates game at Three Rivers Stadium. My parents were from Italy. They loved boxing and soccer so we did not watch baseball. My uncle used to work there. I was able to go to the locker rooms and see the players, then walk onto the field when there was no one there but me. I knew what I wanted to do with my life that day! And that was before the game even started. I loved the atmosphere. I loved how the players acted. Having fun. Loved those clean white uniforms. Then game time, loved the athleticism of the game. The flare the players had. The fans cheering. It was life-changing. It was magical.
Adam: What do you look for in players who you scout? Can you describe your process as a scout? Is scouting a gift or a skill anyone can develop and hone?
Claudio: Another great question, Adam. I was taught years ago by a Phillies scout, “What can you hang your hat on with a player? Can hit? Run? Throw? Great defense? What is his best attribute?”
For a hitter, I look for what holes he has in his swing. Do I think that hole can be exposed on a higher level? On defense, footwork. Is he an athlete? Is he smooth when throwing? Does he get a good jump on the ball? Good, soft hands. Does he receive the ball or repel? Arm. Is it strong? Accurate? Outfielders, again, jump on the ball, arm, can he cover ground. Catchers, arm, accuracy. Does he have a quick release? Does he take too much time body wise to get rid of the ball? Too many unnecessary steps or movement? As for pitchers, velocity. Command of pitches. Running. Is he fast? Does he run the bases properly? Does he have any mechanical issues when running? Unnecessary movements? And of course, attitude. What kind of person is he? If he is a headache, I will not deal with him because I as a coach do not want headaches.
Is it a gift or skill? I really think it is a gift that you can improve on with the proper hard work and proper teachers to show you the ropes. On top of that, studying the game and sorting through the bad stuff that you will be told or hear and coming up with your own way to paint a picture for teams of the player. No, not anyone can do it. Although many who can't do it are doing it!
Adam: What player in today's game do you admire most and why? And who do you think is the best leader in sports today?
Claudio: I'd say Mike Trout. He is not arrogant. He is good with kids and fans. I like that in an athlete. Best leader in sports? Two guys jump out. 1. John Calipari (Head Basketball Coach at the University of Kentucky): Cares for his players. It's all about them and not just on the field but off, and not just when they are playing for him but forever. 2. Herm Edwards (Head Football Coach of Arizona State): Again, cares for his players on the field and off. Ton of common sense. They both are passionate about coaching but they also talk about life. Teach life skills. Not fake. Like my Mom used to say, “Never speak from the neck up, speak from the heart up.” They do that.
Adam: What was the single best piece of advice you have ever revived?
Claudio: It's really hard to say just one, but I will keep it short:
Opportunity doesn't always knock so sometimes you have to call him up and invite him over” - from the show Sanford and Son
“ Never give up. Don't ever give up.” - Jim Valvano
Something my Mom used to say to me before every game: “Show them your courage!”
“ Better to be jealous of me than to pity me.” - my Dad
“ It happened. We will deal with it. And we will move forward.” - Larry Bird
“ You can't get struck by lightning if you don't stand in the rain. Take a chance” - Billy Sammeth (Joan Rivers’ manager)
“ Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” - John Wayne
Adam: Is there anything else you would like to share?
Claudio: People are going to be more productive, work harder if they are appreciated, cared for and respected. It won't be the case every time but you do want your team to like and respect you. Being a leader or a coach does not mean you have to be a tough guy. Be tough when you have to be. But treat people right and it will be a much more productive, positive, happier culture and atmosphere. Lastly, you have to have special people to work with. You can be the greatest leader in the world if you have bad people, or not the right people on your team it won't work. I always say:
“ If we all pull the same rope
in the same direction
at the same time
we will get a special result.”
I also have been told I use the phrase “turn it up” a lot. What does that mean? You are working hard. Work harder. You care, care more. You have won, win more. Turn it up!
Thank you for having me on your blog, Adam. I really enjoyed it and I hope your readers get something out of it.