Leading with Grit: Inside the Mind of Coach Jordan Clark

The Women in the Arena

In this episode of "The Women in the Arena," host Paige interviews Coach Jordan Clark of the FAU Owls softball team. They discuss the team's recent top 25 ranking, Coach Jordan's journey to becoming a head coach, and the importance of building a positive team culture.

Jordan shares her experiences with challenging career transitions, the significance of having a supportive network, and the realities of leadership and decision-making in coaching. She emphasizes the need for self-confidence, conviction, and the impact of creating meaningful relationships with players. The conversation also touches on work-life balance and the long-term legacy she aims to leave.

Takeaways:

1. Success in leadership comes from the willingness to take risks, adapt to new environments, and capitalize on opportunities for growth, even when it means stepping out of comfort zones.

2. Building a strong team culture is crucial for success, focusing on personal development, mutual respect, and creating an environment where every member feels valued and motivated.

3. Achieving a healthy work-life balance is essential for long-term satisfaction and effectiveness. A meaningful legacy is built on how one impacts others, prioritizing relationships and positive influences over personal accolades.

In this episode:

[01:42] Jordan shares her career transition from education to coaching, embracing various roles and the challenges along the way.

[03:51] The leap of faith to the head coaching position at FAU, the uncertainties faced, and the decision-making process involved.

[06:35] Transitioning from assistant to head coach, developing a personal coaching style, and the significance of building a positive team culture.

[09:17] The importance of a support system in personal and professional life, dealing with challenges, and trusting one’s judgment.

[15:16] Facing and managing challenges as a head coach, including dealing with criticism and building relationships with players and staff.

[17:31] Legacy and impact aspirations beyond wins and losses, focusing on personal relationships and long-term influence on players.

[19:16] Work-life balance challenges in collegiate athletics and strategies for maintaining personal relationships alongside professional commitments.

[22:44] Handling difficult personalities and situations within the team, emphasizing emotional intelligence and objective decision-making.

[27:31] Jordan's definition of being a "woman in the arena," emphasizing resilience, conviction, and the ability to influence positively.

Resources

1. The Women In The Arena

2. Rise Facebook Community

3. Listen on Apple Podcasts

4. Listen on Google Podcasts

5. Listen on Spotify

6. Watch on YouTube

7. Jordan Clark

8. FAU Owls Softball Team

9. Watch the games on ESPN+

Quotes

1. "I just think that when you take a job, you have this vision and you think of all the reasons things can go right. And so when it came out yesterday, it was just a real moment. It's something that you put in all this time, and you see the girls work, your staff work, and so, to see it come up, I know that we're not done yet, but it was a moment of like, you did it. Like, you did it, they did it." - Jordan Clark, Guest

2. "It's reassuring that you need your people and you're not going to make everyone happy. But at the end of the day, you got to know that whether you listen to them or not, they're still gonna be your people. And it's okay that you don't always go with their advice." - Jordan Clark, Guest

3. “Your legacy is how you make people feel. And at the end of the day, wins are wins and losses are losses. Who you are as a person is your core and how you make people feel. That’s the legacy I want to leave." - Jordan Clark, Guest