Championship Leadership: The Playbook for Elevating Performance
Heath Wright, CEO of Oklahoma Quality Foundation
03/06/25
The Right Focus
Great leadership isn’t about fancy strategies or complicated frameworks—it’s about mastering the fundamentals and executing them daily. Just like in sports, the best teams don’t win because of one incredible play; they win because they consistently practice the basics, refine their approach, and execute under pressure.
That’s the foundation of my executive coaching system, Brilliance in the Basics: lead yourself well, develop others, and build a strong organization through proven habits and systems.
The most successful leaders aren’t guessing their way to success. They focus on the right goals, develop the right skills, and create the right daily habits to win—both personally and organizationally.
Step 1: Leading Self – Becoming the MVP of Your Own Game
Before a team can win, each player must master their own position. Great leaders operate the same way—they start by knowing themselves, sharpening their skills, and developing winning habits.
Personality & Strengths Assessments
Just as athletes review game footage to understand their strengths and weaknesses, leaders need tools like the Birkman, CliftonStrengths, and DISC to improve self-awareness and decision-making.
Simple Habits for Leaders
Success isn’t about occasional big wins; it’s about the small, consistent habits that compound over time. I help leaders build daily habits that improve focus, resilience, and high-impact decision-making.
Setting the Right Goals
The best athletes set clear performance targets, and great leaders do the same. We focus on identifying high-impact leadership goals that drive long-term success.
Why It Works: Great leaders show up prepared, execute with confidence, and continuously improve their game—just like the best athletes in any sport.
Step 2: Developing Others - Coaching the Team to Victory
Winning a championship isn’t about one star player—it’s about the entire team performing at its best. The best leaders don’t just manage work; they develop people.
Setting the Right Goals for Your Team
A great coach doesn’t just tell players to "play better"—they give specific goals and training plans.
Leaders must do the same, setting clear, measurable team goals that create ownership and accountability.
Using Personality Insights to Develop Talent
Every player has different strengths and motivators. The best coaches adjust their approach to bring out the best in each individual. I teach leaders how to use personality assessments to improve communication, collaboration, and performance.
Brilliance in the Basics Leadership Habits
The best teams practice daily. The best leaders embed coaching, recognition, and accountability into their daily leadership routines. Winning isn’t about motivation—it’s about consistent execution.
Why It Works: Strong leaders create a culture of trust and accountability, just like great coaches build championship teams.
Step 3: Building Strong Organizations – Creating a Dynasty, Not Just a One-Season Win
A single great season doesn’t make a dynasty. Long-term success comes from repeatable systems that ensure the team thrives year after year.
Baldrige-Based Organizational Excellence
Just like elite sports teams have structured playbooks, winning organizations use proven best practices in strategy, workforce engagement, and continuous improvement.
Simple Habits for Organizations
A team doesn’t improve by chance. It improves by daily training and review. Organizations need the same structured habits—from strategic planning to performance reviews—to keep improving.
One-Page Execution System
The best teams keep it simple. No one wins with a 500-page playbook. I help organizations create a one-page strategic plan that aligns everyone, from leadership to the front lines, around clear, actionable goals.
Why It Works: Great organizations build repeatable habits that ensure long-term success—just like great teams keep refining their systems to dominate season after season.
The Championship Formula: Daily Habits Win Games
Champions aren’t made in a single game—they’re built through daily discipline, strong fundamentals, and repeatable success habits.
Through my executive coaching system, leaders gain:
Clarity – A personal leadership roadmap that aligns with their strengths and goals.
Confidence – The skills to coach and develop high-performing teams.
Consistency – Daily habits and organizational systems that sustain success.
If you’re ready to elevate your leadership and build a championship-level organization...
... let’s get back to the fundamentals—the Brilliance in the Basics. Let’s create the right goals, build the right habits, and execute the right systems to win again and again.