Leading with Accountability: Lessons from Coaching, Boards, and Collaboration

• “Collaboration turns talent into teamwork and teamwork into victory.”

Simon Sinek once wrote, “A leader should not take credit when things go right if they are not willing to accept responsibility when things go wrong.” This idea has shaped my philosophy as a USA Swimming Club Head Coach, and it continues to guide how I approach leadership, whether it’s on deck with athletes, in meetings with parents, or around a boardroom table.

Being the head coach of a USA Swimming club is more than just writing practices, refining technique, and preparing athletes for championship meets. It’s a position of trust. We are entrusted with the development of young people, the expectations of parents, and the responsibility of collaborating with club boards that oversee both vision and governance. At times, these responsibilities collide, and at other times, they align beautifully. The key is accountability, openness, and a willingness to lean into the strengths of others.

The Head Coach Role: More Than Just Coaching

When I became the Head Coach of Victor Swim Club, I quickly realized that success was not only measured by the number of best times, state champions, or collegiate recruits our program produced. Those things mattered, but so did the ability to build an environment where athletes felt supported, parents felt heard, and the club’s board felt engaged in a shared mission.

Coaching is about leadership, but leadership in this context extends beyond the pool deck. Every decision, training plan, competition schedule, and staffing hire affects a wide range of stakeholders. That reality brings pressure, but it also brings opportunity.

The Challenge and Reward of Working with Boards

Serving as a head coach in a parent-board-run organization requires humility. Parents are not just spectators; they are volunteers, fundraisers, event planners, and advocates. Without them, most swim clubs would not survive. At the same time, navigating a parent board can be a challenging task. Coaches may want to push forward with a certain vision or plan, while boards may wrestle with finances, logistics, or differing philosophies.

My experiences on both sides of the table have shaped my perspective. Serving on the ASCA Board of Directors and the Albany Academy Alumni Association Board gave me an appreciation for what it means to make decisions for a group; decisions that are rarely simple and often come with competing priorities. It taught me that collaboration is not optional; it is essential.

When I leaned into the strengths of parents at Victor Swim Club, whether their expertise was in finance, event planning, or community building, I found common ground. Instead of viewing board oversight as restrictive, I began to see it as a resource. Parents and board members wanted the same thing I did: the long-term health of the club and the success of its athletes. By focusing on that shared goal, the pathway forward became clearer.

Accountability as the Foundation of Trust

This is where Simon Sinek’s quote comes to life. Leadership requires courage. It’s easy to celebrate when the program is thriving; when relays are winning, when banquets are joyful, when recruitment numbers are high. But true leadership means standing up in the tougher moments: the missed goals, the logistical failures, or the disagreements that arise when passionate people try to do what they believe is best.

I’ve found that accountability creates trust. When coaches take ownership of their decisions and boards acknowledge their role in shaping outcomes, a culture of mutual respect develops. And when trust is present, collaboration flourishes. Athletes see it. Parents feel it. The whole program grows stronger.

Building Success Together

Ultimately, the success of a USA Swimming club, or any athletic program, is not the work of one person. It is the result of athletes striving, coaches guiding, parents supporting, and boards governing. The head coach is at the intersection of all those forces, responsible for leading with clarity, humility, and accountability.

My journey with Victor Swim Club, my service on the ASCA Board, and my involvement with the Albany Academy Alumni Association Board have all reinforced the same truth: leadership is not about control, it’s about connection. By finding common ground, leaning into others’ strengths, and accepting responsibility when things don’t go as planned, we create an environment where everyone, athletes, parents, coaches, and board members, can thrive.

As leaders, let’s remember Sinek’s wisdom and embrace accountability not as a burden but as a privilege. When we do, we set the stage for more than just athletic success; we build communities of trust, collaboration, and shared achievement.