A Leadership Podcast that's Fun
Aug. 29, 2023

Dissecting the Leadership Style of Penn State's James Franklin: A Deep Dive into Values, Vision, and Victories

Do you ever wonder how a college football coach builds a program culture? In our latest episode, we team up with Zac Phillips (returning from the Joe Paterno Episode) and Andrew Kennedy to dissect the leadership style of Penn State Football coach James Franklin. We dive deep into the coach's background, his journey to Penn State, and the next steps he needs to take to elevate the program even further. We analyze his actions so far, what's worked and what could be improved, and focus on five core leadership topics in relation to Franklin's impact on Nittany Lion football.

Sportsmanship, hard work, sacrifice, competitiveness and a positive attitude are not just buzzwords, but values that are deeply entrenched in the Penn State Football program. We take a closer look at how these principles are applied not just on the field but also in off-field scenarios like the classrooms and team dinners. Coach Franklin’s 1-0 philosophy is dissected to understand how it inspires his team to approach each game with the same focus, regardless of the opponent. We also look at how Franklin builds authentic relationships and fosters a family environment , and discuss ways you can easily do that within your company or team.

Later in the conversation, we debate the risks and potential benefits of his polarizing post-game press conference after a crushing home loss to Ohio State in 2018. Tying it all together, we analyze the importance of creating a positive culture in the workplace, and offer a simple challenge for you to elevate your leadership through culture. Lastly, we can’t let Zac and Andrew go without getting their predictions for the upcoming Penn State Football season. So, gear up for an enlightening discussion that not only explores leadership in the realm of sports but also offers valuable insights for the business world.

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