Great coaches train better people, not just better athletes.

Coach John Tanner (JT) is about to start his 29th season as the Stanford women’s water polo coach. On this episode of How We Future, JT and Lisa explore how coaching goes far beyond the pool. Over decades of leading championship teams, JT has developed a coaching style that focuses on resilience, communication skills, and the value of practice.

He helps athletes become confident, empathetic, and thoughtful leaders. Whether it’s having his athletes make TED Talks for each other or facilitating weekly check-ins about how his team is feeling about their academics, JT prioritizes training methods that will help his students long after their athletic careers.

JT and Lisa discuss:

• How high-pressure sports environments can cultivate empathy
• Why JT integrates storytelling and reflection into his team’s daily routine
• How intentional, consistent practice is crucial to navigating the highest-pressure moments
• The mindset behind coaching for long-term growth, not just short-term victories
• Ways to translate JT’s coaching strategies into personal or professional leadership practices

Leadership isn’t only forged in the workplace. It’s practiced every day in the ways we connect, communicate, and lift others.

Links from the show:

• Coaching Citizens Athletes, Stanford Report Article
• The Coaches Wore Cardinal, Stanford Magazine
• The Right Call by Sally Jenkins (Lisa’s favorite book about sports and leadership)
• Stanford Women’s Water Polo Speaker Series
• See JT on Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance Female Athlete Research Meeting (FARM)