Keith Sharpe, Head of Coaching and Leadership Development for the GB Cycling team talks to Sue Stockdale about his work helping athletes and coaches to be better tomorrow, by supporting them today. Keith explains how to create a high performance environment by role modelling curiosity, kindness and humility, and why playfulness and concise communication are key elements of success.
 
About Keith Sharpe
Keith has worked in elite sport for 24 years, gaining a wide range of experiences supporting athletes and coaches in Olympic, Paralympic and Professional sports. He is currently Head of Coaching and Leadership Development for the GB Cycling team. Keith is also a coach mentor for the Premier League. He spent a number of years working in Ghana and Denmark for Right to Dream and FC Nordsjaelland leading their Character Development strategy and delivery. Mindful of giving back, Keith is a Samaritans listener and founded his village Beer Club, which runs quarterly, promoting local suppliers and supporting the local community. 

Connect with Keith Sharpe on LinkedIn 

Key Quotes

• To not be curious is to be dead
• Kids always ask why, why, why? I think the day that we stop asking that is quite a shame
• I want to say or convey my message in the best way with as few words as possible.
• We're pushing the athletes every day to be a better version of themselves.
• I don't think there is failure. I think there's only learning.
• We're all carrying a story and to normalise that rather than to hide away from that is really important.
• I think that role modelling of being vulnerable is really important in the workplace.
• Inspiration comes from people passionate about what they're doing and doing it really well
• Trust yourself. You can do it. You can fluff your feathers and you can give it a go.
  

Time Stamps
[03:45] The role of curiosity in careers
[06:15] Overcoming self-doubt in communication
[11:35] Normalising workplace conversations
[13:41] Learning from performance outcomes
[18:03] Authentic leadership styles
[23:26] Importance of kindness in leadership
[25:27] Playfulness in learning environments
[31:06] Toastmasters for communication development
[35:00] Community engagement and leadership. 


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Producer: Sue Stockdale  Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra