Episode 904

904: The Impact of Leadership on College Sports – Jeff Janssen

Published on: 18th June, 2025

In both dentistry and sports, leadership is essential for success. In this episode of Better Thinking, Kirk Behrendt brings in Jeff Janssen, founder and president of Janssen Sports Leadership Center, to share his experience working with the top college athletes and coaches and the programs that create better leaders. To learn how to apply his leadership exercises to your dental practice, listen to Episode 904 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Jeff:

Learn More About ACT Dental:

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

Episode Resources:

Main Takeaways:

  • All leadership starts with self-leadership.
  • Identify two of your strengths and two areas of improvement.
  • Don't call your team out. Call them “up” to the standards you've set.
  • With leadership alone, you can take your team from a seven to a nine.
  • Balance your ability to relate to people and your ability to require things of them.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

0:46 Jeff’s background.

4:55 Why leadership is important in sports.

7:36 Do a self-evaluation on your leadership.

14:02 The impact of leadership on winning, creating a brand, and culture.

16:06 The importance of momentum when it comes to leadership.

18:14 The 360, explained.

23:37 Jeff’s favorite transformation story.

26:48 What most leaders get wrong about leadership.

28:20 How to hold people accountable.

30:12 Is Jeff part of the football program at North Carolina?

31:39 The wild west of sports.

33:49 Final thoughts.

35:09 More about the Janssen Sports Leadership Center.

Jeff Janssen Bio:

Widely considered the world's top expert on sports leadership, Jeff Janssen is the founder and president of the Janssen Sports Leadership Center. His pioneering work in launching and conducting college athletics' first Leadership Academies with student-athletes and coaches began over a decade ago. His groundbreaking work is what originally started the whole field of sports leadership development and continues to be the gold standard today.

As a prolific author, Jeff has authored numerous books, including The Team Captain's Leadership Manual, The Team Captain's Culture Manual, Championship Team Building, Jeff Janssen's Peak Performance Playbook, and How to Develop Relentless Competitors.

Jeff is passionate about his purpose of helping coaches and athletic administrators develop the world's next generation of leaders on and off the playing fields!

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About the Podcast

The Best Practices Show with Kirk Behrendt
Elevate Your Dental Practice: Insights & Strategies from Industry Leaders
Welcome to The Best Practices Show, hosted by Kirk Behrendt, founder of ACT Dental (https://www.actdental.com/) and a leader in dental practice coaching. This podcast is your gateway to discovering the hidden gems and tactics used by the most successful dental practices worldwide.

At ACT Dental, we have meticulously curated strategies that have consistently proven effective in elevating dental practices. Our podcast, The Best Practices Show, extends our commitment to sharing this wealth of knowledge. Each episode features interviews with renowned dental professionals and industry leaders who have made significant strides in their practices. They share their experiences, insights, and the challenges they've overcome, offering a unique perspective that you won't find anywhere else.

Why should you listen to The Best Practices Show? Whether you're a seasoned dentist, a new practice owner, or somewhere in between, this podcast is tailored to inspire and educate. Our goal is not just to provide you with information but to transform the way you think about and run your dental practice. We delve into topics ranging from advanced clinical techniques and practice management to leadership skills and personal growth.

Kirk Behrendt, a respected figure in the dental community, brings his vast experience and infectious enthusiasm to each episode, making complex topics both understandable and engaging. As the CEO of ACT Dental, Kirk has helped countless dental practices thrive by focusing on holistic development - professionally, personally, and within their community.

Our commitment to authenticity and practical advice sets The Best Practices Show apart. We don't just talk about theories; we dive into real-life applications you can implement immediately in your practice. Our community-centric approach means we're always listening to our audience and constantly evolving our content to meet your needs.

In addition to the invaluable insights from our guests, we also provide access to exclusive resources available through ACT Dental. These resources complement the podcast topics and give you a more comprehensive understanding and practical tools to apply in your practice.

By subscribing to The Best Practices Show, you're not just gaining access to a podcast; you're joining a community of like-minded professionals committed to excellence in dentistry.

So, are you ready to transform your practice and be the best version of yourself? Join us on this journey, and let's grow together. Hit subscribe and never miss an episode of The Best Practices Show – where we uncover the secrets to the success of the world's best dental practices, one episode at a time.

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About your host

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Kirk Behrendt