Jocko Underground: The Way to Turn Your Rival Into Your Ally

When Pool Politics Threaten A Program: Practical Strategies from Jocko Underground

On Jocko Underground 179, Jocko Willink and Kerry Helton tackle a familiar but frustrating problem: turf wars in community sports when two programs share one facility. A listener volunteers to coach a local water polo team only to find the long-time swim coach resentful, canceling approved times and using influence with pool management to obstruct games. The conversation isn't about finger-pointing; it's a field guide for coaches, volunteers, and program leaders who need practical, respectful approaches to shared-space conflict.

Lead With Relationship-Building, Not Retaliation

Jocko’s first prescription is relationship-centered: invest effort to build rapport with the opposing coach. Rather than escalating tension, intentionally create trust through respect, listening, and letting her influence some decisions. Treating the swim coach as an ally instead of an adversary changes the tone and creates pathways for compromise.

Work Up the Chain: Influence Pool Management Through Reliability

Parallel to human diplomacy, Jocko recommends cultivating a solid relationship with pool management. Reliability and attention to detail—returning lane lines, putting away kickboards, sweeping up debris, and leaving the facility cleaner than you found it—create credibility. When the water polo program is known for discipline and respect for shared equipment and space, management is less likely to be swayed by one-sided complaints.

Compromise Is A Tool, Not A Defeat

Practical give-and-take is critical. Offering to shift practice times, yield primacy on certain nights, or otherwise accommodate the swim team demonstrates a commitment to the overall health of the pool community. These concessions should be strategic and not signal weakness; they are investments in long-term coexistence and stability for both programs.

Operational Discipline Wins Trust

Actions matter more than words. Teach players to clean up after practices, respect schedules, and behave professionally in common areas. Small operational habits—tidying pool decks, securing equipment, arriving early and leaving on time—create a reputation that speaks louder than arguments. A team that consistently demonstrates discipline reduces the friction that administrators and rival coaches can use against it.

Reframe Tension As Engagement

Jocko reframes the swim coach’s resentment as a sign she cares. That intensity means she’s defending her program and is invested in her athletes. Use that mutual concern for quality as common ground: both coaches want athletes to thrive and facilities to be available. Building on that shared mission allows constructive solutions to emerge.

Practical Steps For Volunteer Coaches And Leaders

• Meet the other coach one-on-one; listen more than you speak to build trust.
• Document and communicate schedule changes clearly, and propose compromises in writing.
• Institute strict post-practice clean-up routines with your players to demonstrate respect for the facility.
• Develop a positive relationship with pool management by being punctual and consistent.
• Set boundaries calmly—compromise where it helps the program, but enforce essential needs without hostility.

The conversation on Jocko Underground also touches on process inside the show—pre-reading listener questions, editing for clarity, and the host team dynamic—but the core takeaway is operational and relational. Effective community leadership combines humility, discipline, and a strategic willingness to compromise. When pool politics flare up, the most enduring advantage comes from being the program that is dependable, respectful, and prepared to collaborate.

In short, neutralize conflict by investing in relationships with both the person and the institution, let your team’s discipline speak for itself, and use compromise strategically to secure long-term access and goodwill. key_points