Elite Leadership Strategies from Sports to Business

Building Leaders, Culture, and Mindset with Coach Kitch | Edge Leadership Academy

Today, we meet David “Coach” Kitch, the founder of Edge Leadership Academy and host of the Built Not Born Podcast. Coach Kitch is a former Division I football coach, an international bestselling author, and a leadership consultant helping high performers in business, sports, and life reach their full potential.

From coaching elite athletes to working with top businesses, Coach Kitch’s expertise lies in building leaders, shaping culture, and developing a winning mindset. His journey from coaching football at the highest levels to running a successful leadership development company is both inspiring and full of valuable lessons for entrepreneurs, executives, and athletes alike.

The Journey from Coaching to Leadership Development

Coach Kitch’s background is rooted in high-performance environments, having spent years coaching at the college level. Working with top athletes and organizations, he saw firsthand what separates successful teams and businesses from those that fall short.

During the pandemic, he took a step back and realized his passion for leadership extended beyond sports. That’s when he launched Edge Leadership Academy, a consulting and training firm focused on leadership, culture, and mindset development. His goal? To help businesses, teams, and individuals replicate elite-level success through intentional leadership and high-performance habits.

Key Takeaways from the Conversation

1. Leadership Is More Than a Title – It’s About Influence

Leadership isn’t just about holding a position; it’s about being worth following. Coach Kitch emphasizes that great leaders aren’t just in charge; they empower others, set clear expectations, and create environments where people thrive.

2. Culture Drives Performance

Whether in business or sports, the success of an organization is directly tied to its culture. Kitch explains that high-performance cultures don’t happen by accident; they’re built through consistent values, clear communication, and strong leadership.

3. Mindset Determines Success

At the highest levels of sports and business, talent is not the biggest differentiator mindset is. Kitch highlights that the most successful people embrace challenges, focus on growth, and stay resilient in the face of adversity.

4. Don’t Say Yes to Everything – Focus on What Matters

One of the biggest lessons Kitch has learned (the hard way) is that saying “yes” to everything can derail your focus. Early in his entrepreneurial journey, he spread himself too thin by taking on too many projects at once. Now, he teaches the importance of strategic focus and knowing when to say no.

5. The Five C’s of Great Leadership

To build successful leaders, Coach Kitch teaches his Five C’s of Leadership:

• Character – Knowing who you are and standing by your values.

• Consistency – Being reliable and setting a standard.

• Commitment – Staying dedicated to the people, the mission, and the process.

• Communication – Building trust and transparency within a team.

• Creativity – Adapting and problem-solving to keep improving.

Building a Winning Team & Culture in Business

For entrepreneurs and business owners looking to build a strong team and winning culture, Kitch emphasizes:

✅ Hire for character, train for skill. Hard skills can be taught, but values and work ethics are harder to instill.
✅ Define your company culture and live by it. Your culture is what you tolerate, set high standards, and stick to them.
✅ Develop leaders within your team. Invest in leadership training so your team grows alongside your business.

Final Thoughts

Coach Kitch’s story is a powerful reminder that great leadership and success are built, not born. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, athlete, or coach, the principles of high-performance leadership, mindset, and culture can transform your career and business.

If you’re looking to level up your leadership, check out Edge Leadership Academy, follow Coach Kitch on social media, and listen to the Built Not Born Podcast.

📌 Find Coach Kitch here:
🔗 Website: Edge Leadership Academy
🔗 Instagram: @CoachDKitch
🔗 LinkedIn: Coach D Kitch
🔗 Podcast: Built Not Born

🎧 Watch or listen to the full episode for more insights!

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