Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lead!

At the Women Leaders/NCAA Institute for Administrative Advancement West, administrators teamed up with the Alliance of Women Coaches to share game plans for success.

Recently, 45 mid-level Women Leaders met outside Denver for our Women Leaders/NCAA Institute for Administrative Advancement West. Held in partnership with the NCAA, this mile-high leadership event is all about showing rising stars how to strengthen their management skills, boost their personal brands, raise their self-awareness, and identify strategies for tackling everyday challenges of the job. We have incredible faculty at West, including Amy Wilson, director of inclusion at the NCAA; Lynn Holzman, commissioner of the West Coast Conference; Tonia Walker, director of athletics at Winston-Salem State University; and many more!

A key perk to West is that it coincides with the Alliance of Women Coaches' NCAA Women Coaches Academy. This four-day session attracts female coaches across NCAA Division I, II, and III to grow their knowledge of legal issues, ethics, hiring, and learning styles. It also teaches coaches to build their conflict resolution, communication, and team leadership skills. The academy has a special focus on developing coaching philosophies, and gives non-sport specific management strategies.

For the fourth year in a row, we've teamed up with the Alliance to host a joint session for both administrators and coaches. Diana Cutaia, founder of Coaching Peace, led this year’s shared event. She kicked off the session with a HUGE, live game of rock, paper, scissors, which got our two groups interacting, competing, and laughing.

After the ice-breaker, attendees got to work. Participants divided into small groups of four—two administrators paired with two coaches. They spent time making connections, and sharing best practices and game plans for success. The small groups also discussed a range of topics, including:

  • Managing an assistant coach who voices their disapproval—in front of the team—about a coach’s changes
  • Handling ethical decisions and challenges
  • Creating professional development plans
  • Approaching their leaders about how to gain experience for more senior-level positions

"WCA and IAA West coinciding brings together female coaches and administrators in a positive and collaborative environment,” says Megan Kahn, executive director, Alliance of Women Coaches. “When these women connect, share, and intentionally learn from each other, it’s more than a networking event—it becomes a setting for growing and supporting women in the industry, and ultimately helps us retain and advance more female coaches and administrators.”

Patti Phillips, our CEO, agrees, "As we work to grow the number of all women in our industry, coaches and administrators must work together to lift as they rise," she says. "I'm very proud of our partnership with the Alliance of Women Coaches. Together, we are better serving all of our members." 

Did you miss IAA West? We offer leadership development opportunities year-round for all stages of your career. Find one that’s right for you, and save the date for our National Convention, October 8-10 in Dallas, Texas! 

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