Leadership by Empowerment: A Coaching Perspective

Alex Belperio is an accomplished leader who has held various positions across technology and sporting industries. A self-confessed ‘numbers geek’, he has an impressive track record of propelling business growth by implementing innovative sales strategies and developing high-performing teams. Alex firmly believes that individuals can achieve remarkable feats when given the necessary tools and support to succeed.

In this article, Alex shares his insights on how he applies his leadership philosophy to empower both players on the field and staff in the business world to reach their full potential.

Coaches empower teams and individuals to succeed. In sports, in business and in life. For some of us, a passion for coaching becomes a philosophy that drives our decisions and interactions every day.

Recently, I signed up as co-coach for the Canberra Juventus Capital Premier League first team for 2023. As a former goalkeeper and football enthusiast myself (with a new knee to show for it), I’m driven by the community spirit of a sporting club. I get energy from sharing stories and getting to know people.

Four Elements to Empowering Teams

In my coaching role at Canberra Juventus, I’ll be working with my coaching partner to empower the players to solve problems by clearly defining our strategy, building a robust team, encouraging adaptability and leading by example. Here’s how I apply this same philosophy with my sales team at Atturra.

1. Strategy

A successful coach must clearly understand the game and the tactics required to win. Similarly, to win in the sales arena, it’s crucial to understand the market, the competition and client needs.

As a leader, it’s my responsibility to translate this understanding into a winning strategy that my team can rally behind. I aim to keep the strategy simple and relatable. If I can articulate the strategy in laymen’s terms (using scenarios from my own experiences), it is more likely to connect with the team in a way that drives them towards the same outcome.

2. Team building

A coach is responsible for creating a cohesive and supportive team environment. It’s not just strong interpersonal skills; it’s the ability to get to know individuals – their strengths, interests, preferences and styles. If the coach shows this level of interest, I expect the rest of the team to show this same level of interest in each other.

You can’t empower your team without a level of trust in the way people do things. I recognise that every individual may have a different process for achieving the desired outcome – I give people the flexibility to succeed using their preferred methods.

“Coaching is unlocking a person’s potential to maximise their own performance.
It is helping them to learn rather than teaching them.” – Timothy Gallwey

In both football and sales teams, we want people to feel empowered to use those methods to solve problems as they arise.

Building a strong team means making the most of opportunities, taking calculated risks, having a can-do attitude, being available, and believing in everyone’s ability to succeed. That’s my ideal team philosophy.

3. Adaptability

In soccer, the game can change quickly, and a coach must be able to adapt their strategies to match the changing situation.

In technology, things often change rapidly too, and a good sales leader must be able to guide the team to adapt to these changes and pivot the strategy accordingly. Innovation requires flexibility. If the sales team is looking for new ways to think about solving client problems, a leader must support a creative environment.

There are always challenges, so I’m available for regular conversations with my team. Still, I expect them to come up with ideas and solutions and demonstrate a sense of perseverance through difficulties.

4. Leadership

A coach is responsible for leading a team of players towards a common goal.

As well as effective tools and links to the broader strategy, this requires clear communication, effective decision-making, and a way to motivate and inspire the team. For me, the motivation comes from genuine care for what we do as a business – how our contribution is meaningful and impactful. We help others serve the communities in which we each live.

The hustle of a fast-paced, dynamic, and energetic work environment requires an entrepreneurial spirit and the drive to start and grow a business and not settle for mediocrity. But I never lose sight of how our work is connected to the greater good.

In the flux of any given day and week, I look through all our activities and find where I can empower individuals to do their best work. Everything else comes second to this priority.

Just like coaches, leaders who strive to unlock each person’s potential will infuse in them a desire to maximise performance for the entire team’s benefit.

Looking to join an empowered team? The Atturra philosophy centres on empowering individuals and teams to solve problems and achieve client goals. Across every team and project, we want our people to thrive.

Contact us to learn how you can become part of our Atturra culture.