Build Your Confidence to Lead

Learn exactly what it takes to earn the trust and respect of your teammates and coaches.

Win at the Highest Levels

Win at the highest levels as the Academy has contributed to 35 National Championships!

Partner with Your Coaches

Work with your coaches to create a Championship Culture on your team.

About the Leader by Example Course

Are you ready to unlock your leadership potential and lead your team to championships? Designed for college and high school athletes, this dynamic course provides you with the all the same powerful leadership strategies and skills used by team captains at North Carolina, Stanford, Michigan, Notre Dame, and dozens of other top colleges.  Motivate your teammates, build a winning team culture, and achieve championship success. Don't wait, enroll now and become the leader your team needs to succeed!

What Top Coaches, Athletes, and ADs Are Saying

This practical and proven Leadership Academy, led by world-renowned sports leadership expert Jeff Janssen, is trusted by college and high school coaches, athletes, and ADs!

"Jeff Janssen’s work with our student-athletes through the Michigan Leadership Academy has been tremendous. His ability to communicate with our student-athletes, along with his ability to draw student-athletes into deeper discussions about leadership is outstanding."
JOHN BEILEIN, Legendary Michigan Basketball Coach

2 Final Fours

"Jeff’s programs have huge value and his resources are extraordinary. I have learned so many things from Jeff and so have my players and teams.”
ANSON DORRANCE, Legendary UNC Soccer Coach

22 National Championships

“Jeff Janssen is the top expert on sports leadership at the collegiate level. Our student-athletes love the Illini Leadership Academy and frequently ask for more.”
KATHY KALER

Illinois Athletics

"Not only did I grow up as an athlete but also as a person through Jeff Janssen’s Leadership Academy. The Leadership Academy taught each participant how to better handle difficult situations and how to effectively communicate with teammates. Lessons I learned from Jeff not only made me a better leader on the field but also helped prepare me for the corporate world. I cannot describe how thankful I am for my experience with the Leadership Academy."
KARA CANNIZZARO, UNC Women's Lacrosse

National Champion and National Player of the Year

"The Razorback Leadership Academy has been an integral part of the growth and development of our program. The leadership principles Jeff outlined and the practical applications provided have been extremely beneficial to our student-athletes and our entire coaching staff."
DAVE VAN HORN

Arkansas Baseball Coach

"Thank you for developing a program that teaches young people how to be a leader. In the first month of the program, I have seen immediate results on our teams. Our players are more vocal and confident in who they are as young men and women."
CHAD BICKLEY, Santa Fe Christian School

San Diego, CA

“The Leadership Academy at Castle View High School has proven to be a transformative experience for our student-athlete leaders, fostering a profound understanding of their roles and responsibilities. As the athletic director, witnessing the growth and development of these young leaders has been immensely rewarding."
SCOTT DOWIS

Castle View Athletic Director

“Jeff is an amazing motivator and a truly great listener. He challenged the student-athletes at the University of Illinois to become greater than they imagined, not just in their sport, but in life. He also encouraged us to give back to our local community and to be the selfless and courageous leaders that would impact our university, community, country, and the world. Jeff's passion and commitment to the Leadership Academy is indomitable. He has had an immeasurable impact on so many student-athletes’ lives. He's given many of us the confidence to succeed, the willingness to do more, and the commitment needed for life.”
CECE MARIZU

Illinois Swimmer

Ready to Develop the Leaders You Need to Succeed?

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$195.00

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Perfect for Individuals, Teams, and Schools

INDIVIDUAL ATHLETES Wanting to Lead

Individual athletes from all sports can develop their leadership skills through the Academy to become a respected team captain or leader.

TEAMS Wanting to Develop Their Captains

Coaches can develop both their current and future team leaders by having athletes go through various levels of the Leadership Academy. We offer discounts for groups of 5 or 10 athletes from a team.

SCHOOLS Wanting a Leadership Academy

ADs can create their own in-house Leadership Academy for dozens of their athletes using this practical, proven, and progressive training. We offer BIG discounts for groups of 25, 50, 100, or more leaders.

We've Launched and Led Over 50 College and High School Leadership Academies...  And we'll help you launch and lead your Leadership Academy too!

COLLEGES: Arkansas, Barton, Baylor, Boston University, Charlotte, Colby, Colgate, Colorado, Eastern New Mexico, Fordham, Georgetown, George Washington, Guelph, Holy Cross, Houston, Illinois, Lafayette, Lehigh, Loyola, LSU, Michigan, New Brunswick, North Carolina, NC State, Notre Dame, Pitt, St. Francis Xavier, Stanford, Stetson, South Carolina, Wake Forest, Winston-Salem State, Yale HIGH SCHOOLS: Arvada High School, Aurora Central High School, Cary Academy, Castle View High School, Charlotte Country Day School, Cherry Creek High School, Concordian Lutheran High School, Cranbrook Schools, George Washington High School, Horizon High School, Lakewood High School, Linfield Christian School, Little Chute High School, McDonogh School, Naperville Central High School, Rancho Buena Vista High School, Rangeview High School, Rock Academy, Santa Fe Christian School, Sidwell Friends School, Tri-City Christian School, Westminster High School

Jeff Janssen has developed captains for 35 National Championship teams.

Meet Jeff Janssen

Widely considered the world's top expert on Sports Leadership, Jeff Janssen and his team have launched and led over 50 Leadership Academies at the nation's top colleges including North Carolina, Stanford, Michigan, Notre Dame, LSU, Illinois, Arkansas, and Yale. Janssen's popular and powerful Leadership Academy is also used with top high schools including Sidwell Friends, McDonogh, Santa Fe Christian, and Little Chute High School. Jeff has developed thousands of leaders in virtually every sport at the pro, college, and high school levels. He has authored 15 books on leadership including the popular Team Captain's Leadership Manual.

Multiple Levels of Leadership Training

Level 1 - How to Lead Yourself - Become a Respected Leader by Example

Level 1 helps your emerging leaders understand and do what it takes to effectively lead themselves. (Available Now)

Level 2 - How to Lead Your Teammates - Become a Strong Vocal Leader 

Level 2 helps your Leaders by Example become strong Vocal Leaders so they can effectively motivate and refocus their teammates.  (Level 2 Course will be available in April of 2026)

Level 3 - How to Lead Your Team - Build a Championship Culture

Level 3 teaches team leaders how to effectively partner with their coaches to build and sustain a Championship Culture. (Level 3 Course will be available in June of 2026)

Create a Coach and Captain Partnership

Follow Up Connections with Coaches

Empower your athletes to share their insights and connect with coaches after each module, applying the lessons to their leadership and your team's culture. Stay informed on your athletes' progress through the Academy with intuitive dashboards.

Practical Activities and Exercises

Unlock the potential of your team with practical exercises in every module, designed to enhance leadership skills within your organization.

Numerous Self and Team Evaluations

Level up your leadership game with our tailor-made assessments for captains, coaches, and ADs.

Course Curriculum

5 Chapters · 76 Lessons

  1. 1

    1. How to Lead Yourself: Become a Respected Leader by Example

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      1.1 The Walk-On Freshman Who Led Arizona to an Unlikely National Championship 🏆

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      1.2 What Championship Coaches Want from Their Team Leaders

    3. 1.3 Welcome and How You Can Get the Most Out of this Course Free preview
    4. (Included in full purchase)

      1.4 The Leadership Team Playbook: Your Personal Playbook for Developing as a Leader

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      1.5 Leadership Lessons from 35 National Champions 🏆 and 50 Leadership Academies

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      1.6 8x National Championship 🏆 Arizona Softball Coach on What It Takes to Lead Teams to Championships

    7. 1.7 What Leadership Really Is - And Why It Matters! Free preview
    8. (Included in full purchase)

      1.8 4 Essentials to Be a Respected Leader by Example

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      1.9 Evaluate Yourself ✍️ as Leader by Example with these 12 Questions

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      1.10 See How You Rate 📊 as a Leader by Example

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      1.11 Pinpoint 🎯 Your Top 2 Leadership Strengths and Areas to Improve

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      1.12 Your Leadership Challenge: Share with Your Coach Your 2 Leadership Strengths and Areas to Improve

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      1.13 The Top 8 Responsibilities of Team Leaders

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      1.14 The Top 8 Risks and Challenges of Being a Team Leader

    15. 1.15 The Top 8 Rewards and Benefits of Being a Team Leader Free preview
    16. (Included in full purchase)

      1.16 Quick Summary and Key Takeaways 🔑 from Module 1

  2. 2

    2. Why Your Commitment 💪🏾 is Critical to Your Leadership Credibility

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      2.1 Print the Next Part of the Leadership Team Playbook for the Commitment Module 📘

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      2.2 How Captain Kirk Urso Led a Team to a National Championship 🏆 and Left an Enduring Legacy

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      2.3 What Superstars Like LeBron and Brady Know about the Importance of Commitment

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      2.4 The Commitment Continuum: Where You Stand and How to Level Up

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      2.5 Don’t Be Him/Her: The Culture-Killing Resistant 😡 that Everyone Else Can’t Stand

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      2.6 Reluctants: The Continually Questioning 🤨 Athletes Who Frustrate the Team

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      2.7 Existents: Athletes Who Don’t Pull Their Weight 😑 and Slow Down the Whole Team

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      2.8 Compliants: Why Good Enough ☑️ is Not Good Enough If You Want to Lead

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      2.9 How a Notre Dame 🍀 Benchwarmer Became the Conference’s Most Improved Player

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      2.10 Where Good Athletes Become Great: Committeds ❤️ Eagerly Go the Extra Mile

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      2.11 What the Top 1% Do Differently: Compelled Leaders Energize ⚡️ and Elevate Everyone

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      2.12 How Obsessed Athletes Can Drive Everyone Crazy 🤪 and Lose the Locker Room

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      2.13 Where True Leaders Live on the Commitment Continuum

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      2.14 Be Brutally Honest: Where are You Right Now on the Commitment Continuum?

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      2.15 Quick Summary and Key Takeaways 🔑 from the Commitment Module

  3. 3

    3. How to Keep Your Composure and Help Your Teammates Lock In 🔒

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      3.1 Print the Next Part of the Leadership Team Playbook for the Composure Module 📘

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      3.2 Leaders Are Most Needed When the Stuff 💩 Hits the Fan

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      3.3 What Teammates REALLY Say If You Can’t Keep Your Cool 🧊

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      3.4 Leadership Traffic Lights: 🚦 How to Monitor and Master Your Emotions

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      3.5 Green Light: Why Green Light 🟢 Leaders Win More and Lead Better

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      3.6 Yellow Light: 🟡 What Happens When You’re Losing It

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      3.7 Red Light: 🔴 How Meltdowns Kill Your Credibility (and Team’s Success)

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      3.8 How a UNC Volleyballer Used the Traffic Light Analogy to Keep Her Cool 🧊 and Earn All-ACC Glory

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      3.9 Self Leadership Challenge – Round 1: Anyone Can Lead When It’s Easy

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      3.10 Self Leadership Challenge – Round 2: Prove You Can Lead Under Pressure 🔥

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      3.11 What the Self Leadership Challenge Reveals About Your Composure

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      3.12 Turn the Traffic Light 🚦 Analogy into Your Secret Weapon in Your Practices and Games

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      3.13 Be Honest: What % of the Time Are You Locked In 🔒 vs. Spiraling?

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      3.14 Your New Superpower: Change Your Team’s Light Color 🚦 Before It Costs You the Game

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      3.15 Your 3-Step System to Create Greens, Refocus in Yellows, and Avoid Reds 🚦

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      3.16 Master the Moment: 🟢 The Power of Staying Present

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      3.17 Set Your Sights 👀 on What You Want, Not What You Fear

    18. (Included in full purchase)

      3.18 Trust the Process: 🟢 Why the 3 Yards in Front of You Help You Achieve the Wins You Want

    19. (Included in full purchase)

      3.19 Quick Summary and Key Takeaways 🔑 from the Composure Module

  4. 4

    4. How to Build Unbreakable Confidence 🔥 as an Athlete and Team Leader

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      4.1 Print the Next Part of the Leadership Team Playbook for the Confidence Module 📘

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Confidence Decoded: How to Tip the Confidence Scales ⚖️ in Your Favor

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Uncover Your 4 Strongest 💪🏾 Confidence Sources – And Tap Into Them Daily

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      The Confidence Crisis That Almost Short-circuited a USA 🇺🇸 Volleyball Star

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Turn Your Strengths 💪🏾 into Swagger: How to Go to Battle with Your Strengths

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Your Past Successes Are Receipts 🧾 — Here's How to Capitalize On Them

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      How Quality Preparation 😅 Separates Confident Pros from Pretenders

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Use Praise to Jump Start ⚡️ and Boost Your Confidence

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      How Carrie Built Unbreakable Confidence and Owned 😤 the US National Team Tryout

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Unleash Your Secret Weapon: Build Your “I Belong Here” 💪🏾 Confidence Cheat Sheet

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      How a Bottom-Dwelling Team Built Championship-Winning 🏆 Confidence

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      A Leader’s Job: Identify Who Needs Confidence 🔥 and Deliver It

  5. 5

    5. Your Character is Your Leadership Platform: Build It 🛠️ or Watch It Crumble

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      How a 2x National Champion 🏆 Tennis Star Wins Rings AND the Respect That Lasts Forever

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Dropping this Challenge on You: How Many Drops 💧 Are in the Water Bottle?

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Why Your Character Counts as a Leader On and Off the Court/Field

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      The 4-Point Character Check: ✅ A Simple System to Help You Make the Right Call

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      4 Corners Gut Check Challenge: Protect Your Credibility or Torch It 🥵

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Acceptable or Culture-Killer? 🚨Talking About People Behind Their Backs

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Okay or Not Okay: When and Where Do You Draw the Line with Drinking? 🍺

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      The Surprising Truth: 😯 What Really Drives Athlete Drinking

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Freshmen Initiation: Team Building or Straight-Up Hazing? 🚨 Know Before You Cross the Line

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Leaders Show Up Everywhere – Including Class 📚

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Right Thing or Rep Killer? 🚨 The Decisions That Decide If Teammates Vote You Captain

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Higher Standard, Higher Stakes: How Your Choices Determine Your Reputation and Success

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      From Zero to Hero – How Shawn Hunwick Became Michigan Hockey’s Greatest Goalie Ever 🥅 (And Built a Legacy That Still Echoes)

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Reese Brantmeier's Blueprint: How to Pull Off Something Epic 🤯 That Changes Your School/City Forever

Ready to Lead Your Team to Conference, State, and National Championships?

Join now and unlock the leadership skills you need to lead your team to greatness!

$195.00

Enroll Now Free preview