Q1) When did you first see yourself as a leader?
When I was born, I was the first of 7 kids. I don’t really remember a time when I was able to be the ‘fun’ one. It was always – “Eddie, mind your sisters, and the dogs, and the house, and why don’t you mow the damn lawn while you’re at it?” I never had an issue with it. It made me feel important, and I did reap some of the rewards – such as no hand me downs and first for seconds at dinner. Only when I started to develop an interest in girls later on did that get in the way.
On a professional level, when I began to work at Florida and we won the SEC 3 out of 4 years as a swimmer – people started coming to me for advice. Previously, I was always the one asking the questions. This is when it started to turn around on me. I knew then that I needed to have the right answers to help others. I then began to insist that I receive the best advice from my mentors. I took an active role in bettering myself as a leader – not just as a coach.
2) Q2) What are some of the greatest challenges you’ve faced as a leader?
Negativity wins that race hands down. I was raised in a very religious household; we did not have the freedom to complain. When I encountered college level athletes who had so much, but appreciated so little; I struggled with a way to communicate with them rather than at them. I pushed them away, rather than showing a different perspective. Without a frame of reference to share, the gap between myself and those I was to lead was tremendous. I lost the battle with the teams I was to coach – as their negativity crept faster than my teaching.
Self doubt is another challenge that has only come about in my late 50’s and 60’s. I have what some think is an impressive record. People point to me as some sort of guru, when I am still asking questions and seeking answers from others. I began to doubt myself as someone who deserved the blank and unquestioning stares back from swimmers and coaches alike. There was no need – not to question me. When I was allowed to be right about everything, I knew that I could not be. It is only through constant communication, diligence in seeking new information that allows me the confidence to lead others.
3 Q3) What has contributed to your growth as a leader?
All the people around me, and I mean all. Family: My parents, my extended family, my children. On Deck: Every swimmer I have ever worked with – each one was a learning opportunity. If you ignore the fact that everything you do and everyone you know can teach you something, than you are not paying attention.
Q4) What are you currently doing to grow as a leader?
I have discovered that personal drive and initiative can be more than simply augmented or tweaked. It can be carved purposefully out of the most surprising of places. Knowing this I engage in many leadership activities where I surround myself with peers and mentors as often as I can. Our profession offers a great deal in that arena. The select training camps at the Olympic Training Center provide year round dedication to the pursuit of excellence. The USS Club teams that sponsor that center and the O team itself hosts over 300 camps and clinics each calendar year (500 in every 4 years). I have been pacing nearly 40 a year for over 30 years. As chair of the American Swim Coach Association (ASCA) we host 47 national and state level coaches clinics each year related to professional certification. I attend close to all of those every year. Much of my life these days is either behind a podium, answering these questions in-between sets on deck, or actually doing what I love – coaching.
Q5) What is the best piece of advice that you would have for someone who aspires to be an effective leader?
I have been blessed with fantastic company over the years, and many have moved me to write down their words. I must admit that I often repeat them; both for my benefit and to that of others:
- Give yourself to your task but do not ask to do it all.
- Direction is a choice, choose wisely.
- Belief is the only the beginning, yet without it you will fail.
- Excuses only get in the way. Learn, and then move on.
- And my favorite: Don’t mess with Texas.
