#40 Coach K’s Playbook: Inside the Leadership DNA of Duke Basketball

from Performers · host Dr. Duncan Simpson and Dr. Greg Young

What does it take to build a dynasty — not just in sport, but in life?In this episode of Performers, we go deep into the mind of Mike Krzyzewski — better known as Coach K — the winningest coach in college basketball history. His autobiography Leading with the Heart is more than a book on hoops — it’s a masterclass in emotional intelligence, team culture, and adaptive leadership.Join Dr. Duncan Simpson and Dr. Greg Young as they break down Coach K’s high-performance philosophy — from game-day adjustments to lifelong traditions — and discover what it truly takes to lead with strength, humility, and courage.In this episode, you’ll discover:🏀 Why reliability beats predictability in leadership 🧠 The mental preparation behind real-time adjustments 🗣️ How presence, posture, and tone become coaching tools 🔥 The moment Duke flipped the script on UNLV — and why they were ready 💡 Why elite teams don’t just execute — they reset 📖 The power of tradition and why identity shapes performance 🎯 Why the best leaders ask: “What does this group need right now?”Whether you're a coach, athlete, entrepreneur, or leader in any field, this episode will challenge you to reflect, reset, and lead with purpose.Support the show by paying what you can here: DONATEListen on Spotify:⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠⁠Listen on Apple:⁠ ⁠Apple⁠⁠Watch & Listen on YouTube:⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠Buy the book: Leading with the Heart Socials:⁠⁠Instagram⁠ - @Performerspod⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/performerspod/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Linkedin - Duncan⁠ Simpson⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-simpson-ph-d-cmpc-76244b1a/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Linkedin - Greg Young⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-young-ph-d-cmpc-64765a35/⁠⁠ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@performers.pod?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jun 22, 2025

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#40 Coach K’s Playbook: Inside the Leadership DNA of Duke Basketball

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