Lisa joined the JVA Staff in December 2013. She has a solid volleyball background at all levels. After completing her volleyball career at Purdue University, she served as the Student Assistant Coach followed by three seasons as the Assistant Volleyball Coach at Samford University where her responsibilities included recruiting, aiding in day to day team training, managing community service functions, and coordination of camps. In 2011 she helped guide the program to its first NCAA appearance.
Message of the Week
Message of the Week
Do you do weekly staff calls? Monthly? Or are you more of the “we’ll catch up when we catch up” type of organization?
We do ours weekly. About an hour. Cameras on. Everyone gets a chance to use their voice.
It’s nothing ground breaking. Just a consistent time to check in, share wins, talk through what we’re working on, and say out loud where we might need help. Sometimes that’s operational. Sometimes that’s strategic. Sometimes it’s just, “Wow you guys won’t believe this happened!” A lot of laughs too.
This year I decided to add monthly themes to our calls. Sounds a little corny, but people need something to rally around. A reset button. A reminder of what we’re building and why.
First of all… how in the world is it already March?
March for our team is about re-setting our standards.
Not because they’re low. But because standards drift if you don’t tend to them. The details get blurry.
And the details matter.
How we communicate matters.
How we plan matters.
How we respond matters.
How we execute matters.
That’s what separates good from great.
So this month we’re asking ourselves:
- Where are our standards right now?
- Where have we slipped, even just a little?
- And how do we raise them higher?
It’s easy to talk about culture. It’s harder to turn it into action. Culture shows up in the small things. The follow-up email sent on time, the clarity in an agenda, the tone in a tough conversation, the third proofread before a newsletter goes out, the extra step taken before an event happens.
How do you challenge your organization every day?
How do you challenge your employees? Your coaches? Your players?
And maybe the most important question. How are you challenging yourself?
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about setting the tone. And let’s be honest, it’s hard to show up every single day at your absolute best. We’re human. There are off days.
But if you build a steady environment, one rooted in accountability, trust, and shared purpose, someone else on your team will lift you when you need it. That’s the beauty of doing this together.
When each person commits to raising their own standard, the organization rises with them. When we hold each other accountable (respectfully & constructively) we protect the culture. When we celebrate the small wins along the way, we are refueled.
Resetting standards isn’t about criticism. It’s about saying, “we care enough to be better”.
March is our reminder to check the pulse. Tighten the details. Raise the bar.
With a lot of gratitude,
Lisa
Do you do weekly staff calls? Monthly? Or are you more of the “we’ll catch up when we catch up” type of organization?
We do ours weekly. About an hour. Cameras on. Everyone gets a chance to use their voice.
It’s nothing ground breaking. Just a consistent time to check in, share wins, talk through what we’re working on, and say out loud where we might need help. Sometimes that’s operational. Sometimes that’s strategic. Sometimes it’s just, “Wow you guys won’t believe this happened!” A lot of laughs too.
This year I decided to add monthly themes to our calls. Sounds a little corny, but people need something to rally around. A reset button. A reminder of what we’re building and why.
First of all… how in the world is it already March?
March for our team is about re-setting our standards.
Not because they’re low. But because standards drift if you don’t tend to them. The details get blurry.
And the details matter.
How we communicate matters.
How we plan matters.
How we respond matters.
How we execute matters.
That’s what separates good from great.
So this month we’re asking ourselves:
- Where are our standards right now?
- Where have we slipped, even just a little?
- And how do we raise them higher?
It’s easy to talk about culture. It’s harder to turn it into action. Culture shows up in the small things. The follow-up email sent on time, the clarity in an agenda, the tone in a tough conversation, the third proofread before a newsletter goes out, the extra step taken before an event happens.
How do you challenge your organization every day?
How do you challenge your employees? Your coaches? Your players?
And maybe the most important question. How are you challenging yourself?
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about setting the tone. And let’s be honest, it’s hard to show up every single day at your absolute best. We’re human. There are off days.
But if you build a steady environment, one rooted in accountability, trust, and shared purpose, someone else on your team will lift you when you need it. That’s the beauty of doing this together.
When each person commits to raising their own standard, the organization rises with them. When we hold each other accountable (respectfully & constructively) we protect the culture. When we celebrate the small wins along the way, we are refueled.
Resetting standards isn’t about criticism. It’s about saying, “we care enough to be better”.
March is our reminder to check the pulse. Tighten the details. Raise the bar.
With a lot of gratitude,
Lisa
