Insights
Practical tools and thinking for college athletic leaders — delivered to your inbox. No fluff, no filler. Just ideas worth your time.
Lab Notes. Think.
Lab Notes
Practical Tools & Leadership Thinking Body
Short, actionable insights on leadership, self-awareness, team culture, and performance — written specifically for the college athletics environment. Ideas you can use immediately. Note: Published regularly · 3–5 min read
Conversations at the Lab
Longer-form conversations with coaches, ADs, and athletes about what it really takes to build great programs. Honest, specific, and grounded in the real world of college athletics. Note: Featured conversations · 8–12 min read
Deeper Dives & Real Conversations
From the Lab — Recent Posts
Lab Notes
The Six Influence Factors of Performance March 9, 2026
DISC Helps Teams Navigate Conflict June 22, 2025
A Culture Rooted in Understanding September 18, 2024
Great Leaders Do Two Things February 14, 2024
Conversations at the Lab
Yale's Platform to Enrich Their Community May 27, 2020
Listen to Leadership Lessons from Disney, May 11, 2019
Leadership Development at Rutgers Athletics June 10, 2019
The Winningest College Men's Soccer Coach September 17, 2017
A Conversation with the Leader of the NJCAA October 10, 2017
“I write about the things I see, hear, and work through with coaches, ADs, and student-athletes every day. My goal is simple — give you something useful every time you open one of these. No corporate speak, no generic advice. Just practical thinking for the real demands of college athletics.”
— Tom Hess
From Tom's Desk