Introduction: In today’s high-pressure sports environment, athletes need more than just technical skills to succeed. Leadership, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence are critical components for thriving both on and off the court. In this blog, we dive into a transformative What I Meant to Say with Wendy Jones conversation with guest Ashley Clark, a seasoned volleyball coach and an integral part of the Be Better Life mission. Ashley’s coaching philosophy, rooted in personal growth and resilience, is a cornerstone of Alchemy for Athletes and Coaches, where we help coaches, athletes, and parents unlock their full potential through Human Design principles. A coach's most important job is to mentor and shape the lives of student-athletes, guiding them to become confident, compassionate, and resilient individuals.

Effective leadership is a crucial aspect of success in sports, particularly in volleyball. Coaches play a vital role in shaping the lives of student-athletes, both on and off the court. By developing strong leadership skills, coaches can inspire their athletes to reach their full potential, foster a positive team culture, and create a lasting impact on their lives. In this article, we will explore the importance of leadership in volleyball, the qualities of effective leaders, and provide practical tools for building strong leaders.

The Power of Leadership in Volleyball

Ashley Clark’s journey from player to coach reveals the profound impact that leadership has on an athlete’s development. While many coaches focus solely on winning games, Ashley emphasizes the importance of shaping young athletes into confident, compassionate, and resilient individuals. As Ashley says, “Leadership is not a one-size-fits-all proposition.” This personalized approach not only fosters team success but also equips athletes with the skills they need in life beyond sports. 

Coaches have a profound impact on the lives of student-athletes. They are not only responsible for teaching the technical skills of the game but also for shaping the character and values of their athletes. Effective leaders can inspire their athletes to develop a deeper understanding of themselves, their strengths, and their weaknesses. By creating a positive and supportive team culture, coaches can help their athletes build confidence, develop resilience, and cultivate a sense of purpose. Moreover, coaches can serve as role models, demonstrating important life skills such as decision-making, goal setting, and teamwork.

Qualities of Effective Leaders in Volleyball

Effective leaders in volleyball, and really all sports, possess a unique set of qualities that enable them to inspire and motivate their athletes. Some of the key qualities of effective leaders include:

• Strong communication skills: The ability to communicate effectively with athletes, parents, and other coaches is essential for building trust and fostering a positive team culture.
• Emotional intelligence: Coaches who are emotionally intelligent can better understand the needs and emotions of their athletes, creating a more supportive and inclusive team environment.
• Adaptability: The ability to adapt to changing circumstances, such as injuries or unexpected losses, is critical for maintaining a positive team culture and achieving success.
• Constructive feedback: Providing constructive feedback that is specific, timely, and actionable is essential for helping athletes improve their skills and develop a growth mindset.

• Role modeling: Coaches who model the behaviors and values they expect from their athletes can inspire their team to adopt a positive and respectful team culture.

Creating a Safe Space for Growth 

One of Ashley’s most powerful coaching strategies is creating a safe and supportive environment for her athletes. In the podcast, she shares how she cultivates trust and openness, allowing athletes to express themselves fully—both in their strengths and vulnerabilities. “A part of that safe environment is allowing them room to be who they are, in the weak moments and the strong moments,” Ashley explains. This approach aligns perfectly with the values of Alchemy for Athletes and Coaches, where we believe that emotional safety and understanding is the foundation for the coach-athlete relationship.

The Role of Human Design in Coaching

At Be Better Life, we integrate Human Design principles to help coaches tailor their leadership style to meet each athlete’s unique needs. By understanding an athlete’s energy type, strengths, and decision-making strategies, coaches can create more effective training programs and foster deeper connections with their players. Ashley’s ability to adapt her coaching to each individual athlete is a testament to the power of personalized leadership.

Key Takeaways from Ashley Clark’s Coaching Philosophy:

• Leadership Beyond the Court: Teaching life lessons through sports to build resilient, self-aware individuals.
• Emotional Intelligence: Recognizing the emotional needs of athletes and adjusting coaching strategies accordingly.
• Growth Mindset: Encouraging athletes to embrace challenges as opportunities for personal and athletic growth.
• Building Trust: Establishing open communication and honesty to create a cohesive team environment.

Memorable Ashley Quotes from this Episode Produced by Be Better Media:

• “I was the glue for that team because of how I learned to lead and the way I trained other leaders.” 
• Human Design Insight: Ashley’s 2/4 Profile (Hermit/Opportunist) shapes her leadership style in a unique way.
  • The Line 2 (Hermit) represents natural talent—Ashley may not have always seen herself as a leader at first, but leadership naturally emerged as others recognized her abilities and sought her guidance.
  • The Line 4 (Opportunist) is all about building strong connections and influencing others through relationships. This means Ashley thrives when she’s surrounded by the right team, fostering trust and guiding others in a way that feels organic rather than forced.

  Her ability to bring people together and cultivate leadership in others is a direct reflection of her 2/4 Profile, where she learns best through personal experience (Hermit) and then naturally steps into a leadership role through her influence and strong relationships (Opportunist).

• “Would you rather be the worst player on a national championship team or the best player on a bad team?” 
• Human Design Insight: This perspective ties to Ashley’s defined Identity (G) Center, which gives her a strong sense of purpose and direction. With a defined G-Center, she recognizes the power of alignment—being in the right environment with the right people, even if it means being the underdog for a while. Her Splenic Authority reinforces this, as she intuitively understands which path will lead to the best long-term growth. This statement is a classic example of choosing alignment over ego—something she likely teaches her athletes instinctively.
• “That’s how you build trust—being honest and following through.”

• Human Design Insight: Ashley’s undefined Ego (Heart) Center and defined Throat Center play a major role in her leadership and trust-building.

  • Undefined Ego Center: People with an undefined Ego are not here to prove their worth through force, competition, or overpromising. Instead, Ashley builds trust through authenticity, consistency, and reliability. She doesn’t lead by inflating her importance—she leads by doing what she says she will do and creating a culture of integrity.

  • Defined Throat Center & Gate 20 (The Gate of the Now): Ashley has a powerful ability to speak truth in the present moment, which makes her an honest and direct communicator. Gate 20 is all about truth in real-time, meaning she doesn’t sugarcoat things or hold back when something needs to be said. This allows her to create instant trust with her athletes—they know she will be straightforward, present, and clear in her communication.

  By combining real-time honesty (Throat + Gate 20) with integrity and consistency (Undefined Ego), Ashley naturally builds deep trust with those she leads. Her coaching isn’t about proving anything—it’s about showing up, speaking the truth, and leading with follow-through.

Building Strong Leaders with Practical Tools

Building strong leaders in volleyball requires a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Here are some practical tools that coaches can use to develop their leadership skills:

• Alchemy for Athletes and Coaches: This innovative approach, created by our very own, Ashley Clark, integrates Human Design principles with coaching strategies to help coaches and athletes understand their unique strengths, leadership styles, and energy dynamics. By recognizing individual differences, coaches can build stronger, more successful and cohesive teams while also empowering athletes to lead authentically.
• USA Volleyball’s Coach Academy: This online platform provides coaches with access to a wealth of resources, including articles, videos, and courses, to help them develop their coaching skills and knowledge.
• Gold Medal Squared (GMS): A data-driven coaching system that provides evidence-based strategies to improve team performance, technical skills, and game strategy. GMS helps coaches develop structured, repeatable training methods to maximize player development and leadership growth.

• Goal setting: Coaches can work with their athletes to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals that align with their values and aspirations.
• Positive reinforcement: Coaches can use positive reinforcement techniques, such as praise and recognition, to encourage positive behavior and reinforce desired skills.
• Team-building activities: Coaches can use team-building activities, such as team outings and community service projects, to foster a sense of camaraderie and teamwork among their athletes.

By combining practical strategies with self-awareness tools like Human Design, coaches can develop leaders who thrive both on and off the court.  Schedule a free discovery call with Ashley HERE!

The Coach-Athlete Relationship: A Key to Success

he coach-athlete relationship is a critical factor in determining the success of a volleyball team. Coaches who can build strong, positive relationships with their athletes can inspire them to perform at their best, both on and off the court. Here are some tips for building a strong coach-athlete relationship:

• Communication: Coaches should communicate regularly with their athletes, providing feedback, guidance, and support.
• Empathy: Coaches should strive to understand the needs and emotions of their athletes, creating a safe and supportive team environment.
• Trust: Coaches should work to establish trust with their athletes, being reliable, consistent, and fair in their interactions.
• Respect: Coaches should demonstrate respect for their athletes, valuing their opinions, ideas, and contributions to the team.
• Honesty: Coaches should be transparent and direct with their athletes, providing constructive feedback and setting clear expectations. Honest communication fosters accountability, personal growth, and mutual respect within the team.

By following these tips and using the practical tools outlined above, coaches can build strong, positive relationships with their athletes and create a winning team culture.

Integrating Leadership Lessons into Your Coaching

If you’re a coach looking to elevate your leadership skills and create lasting impacts on your athletes, Alchemy for Athletes and Coaches offers personalized coaching programs based on Human Design. Our mission is to help you unlock the full potential of your team while fostering personal growth and resilience in your athletes.

Ready to Transform Your Coaching Approach? Visit BeBetter.Life to learn more about how Human Design can revolutionize your coaching and elevate your athletes to new heights.

Join the Be Better Movement

At Be Better Life, we believe that self-awareness and leadership are the greatest gifts we can offer the next generation. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or parent, our resources, including Alchemy for Athletes and Coaches, are designed to support your journey toward personal and athletic excellence.

Connect with Ashley Clark on Instagram: @coachashleyc

More from Be Better Media