Driving Change: 5 Ways to Get Leadership Buy-In in TSAC

Leadership buy-in is an essential aspect of any industry. In the tactical strength and conditioning industry, leadership buy-in is crucial for achieving organizational goals and driving progress within the units or squadrons assigned. Leaders committed to the industry are more likely to inspire their teams to work harder & smarter to achieve greater results. In this article, we will discuss how to obtain leadership buy-in within the tactical strength and conditioning industry through 5 different avenues.

#1. Understand the Importance of Leadership Buy-In:
The first step in obtaining leadership buy-in is to understand its importance. Leaders play a critical role in shaping the culture and values of an organization. They are responsible for providing direction and setting goals, and their commitment to the industry will inspire and motivate others. When commanders, chiefs & other unit leaders participate, they can mandate attendance or at the minimum; have a heavy influence over it. Therefore, it is essential to make sure that the leaders are invested in the industry and see the value in tactical strength and conditioning. 

#2: Develop a Clear and Compelling Vision:
To obtain leadership buy-in, you need to develop a clear and compelling vision. This vision should be communicated in a way that is easy to understand and inspires enthusiasm. The vision should also be aligned with the organization's goals and objectives. When leaders understand the vision and how it aligns with the organization's goals, they are more likely to get on board. Showing the macrocycle and looking at how to organize unit or job-specific testing could be a great example of this avenue. 

#3: Provide Evidence-Based Research:
Evidence-based research is an effective tool for obtaining leadership buy-in. Leaders in the tactical strength and conditioning industry are often data-driven and want to see evidence that supports the industry's value. Therefore, providing evidence-based research that demonstrates the benefits of tactical strength and conditioning can help convince leaders of its value. A great example of this would be showing studies or other TSAC program success stories that validate the mission & vision of the program. This evidence can come from various sources, including academic research, case studies, and industry reports. The closer you can give a dollar sign amount to the program; the more leadership will typically enroll & invest back into the program.

Some great questions to consider:

#1: How much does the training and academics of the tactical personnel cost over 1 year?

#2: How much money does the unit or squadron spend on worker’s comp or medical issues every year?

#3: How much money could you save the squadron or unit by mandating TSAC attendance if you got certain KPIs to “X” percent? What would this translate into regarding a squadron or unit's financial savings/ROI?

#4: Over a 1, 3, 5, & 10-year span: How much money could they save and re-invest back in the TSAC program & other needs of the unit or squadron? 

#4: Focus on the Return on Investment:
Leaders are often focused on the bottom line and want to see a return on investment. Therefore, focusing on the ROI of tactical strength and conditioning can be an effective way to obtain leadership buy-in. This can be achieved by demonstrating the positive impact of tactical strength and conditioning on employee performance, productivity, and retention. 

#5: Engage with Industry Leaders:
Engaging with industry leaders can also help obtain leadership buy-in. Leaders who are already invested in the industry can provide valuable insights and perspectives. They can also help promote the industry and create a positive image. Therefore, attending industry events, networking, and collaborating with other leaders can help increase awareness and support for tactical strength and conditioning. Connect and network with other individuals running similar programs & ask what lessons these individuals have learned over the years. In this side of the S&C field, experience and practical approaches can save you a ton of time and headaches. 

In conclusion, obtaining leadership buy-in within the tactical strength and conditioning industry is crucial for driving progress and achieving organizational goals. To achieve leadership and buy-in, developing a clear and compelling vision, providing evidence-based research, focusing on the ROI, and engaging with industry leaders is essential. With these strategies in place, organizations can increase awareness and support for tactical strength and conditioning and achieve greater success.

I have utilized and seen all five of these avenues with massive success. Our nation’s heroes deserve the best care possible so please steal and utilize these avenues as needed. Feel free to connect with my Instagram @Coach_Telegadas and reach out to my coaching email CoachKostaTelegadas@gmail.com to talk shop about different experiences, programming, practical approaches & more.