Research 2 Reps Roundtable - Dr. David Tenney

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. David Tenney, one of the pioneers of sports science and high performance leadership in North America. Tenney shares how his career evolved from practitioner to leader and why he became interested in studying the leadership competencies required to manage modern high performance teams. We discuss the changing landscape of professional sports, the growing complexity of performance departments, and the challenges that come with coordinating specialists across performance, medical, analytics, and coaching roles. We also explore the realities of managing external stakeholders, including agents, physicians, and families, and why communication and relationship building have become essential leadership skills. David offers practical insights on hiring the right people, developing collaborative environments, and creating multidisciplinary teams that move beyond simply working alongside one another to truly integrating their expertise in ways that improve athlete outcomes. In the second half, our conversation shifts toward leadership, organizational design, and what it takes to build high performing teams in today's rapidly evolving sports environment. Dave explains why rigid job descriptions can sometimes limit innovation, how organizations can identify gaps in expertise, and why leaders should continually evaluate and refine the systems they use. He also shares his personal philosophy of regularly replacing a portion of established practices in pursuit of continuous improvement. We dive into the key leadership competencies identified through his doctoral research, including relationship building, strategic thinking, performance facilitation, and quality control. Dave also introduces a thought-provoking framework that places leaders on a continuum between being a "doer" and a "builder." Whether you're leading a department, coaching athletes, or managing a staff, this discussion provides valuable lessons on creating alignment, developing people, and building organizations that can adapt and thrive in a constantly changing environment. At Pat Ivey Performance, our mission is to provide the performance edge in sport and in life. We focus on topics that help athletes improve their mental and physical game through athletic performance, strength and conditioning, sport science, and mental performance strategies. 🔔 Subscribe to the channel to stay updated on the latest in sports performance:    / @drcoach_pativey   Follow on social media for more insights and updates: Instagram:   / drcoach_pativey   Facebook:   / pativeyperformance   Learn more at: https://pativey.com Sponsored by: Sorinex: https://sorinex.com/ EliteForm: https://eliteform.com/ Disclaimer: This description may contain affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. While this channel may earn minimal sums when the viewer uses the links, the viewer is in no way obligated to use these links. Thank you for your support. #athleticperformance #mentalperformance #pativeyperformance