Steve Black has a way with words. He knows exactly what to say, how to say it and when to say it. We’re talking about a man who has spent his career finding ways to help athletes and teams squeeze out every last ounce of potential within their bodies and minds. Even once, bravely, he managed to talk down an individual with a gun in a Newcastle YMCA.
Finding an exact job title to define Steve’s work? Well, that’s a rather difficult challenge. Throughout his career some have opted to describe him as a fitness coach whilst others have instead labelled him as some kind of strength and conditioning guru or even a sport psychologist. You do get the feeling that these titles are far too vague when attempting to display the sheer amount of value that Steve has brought to both people and organisations throughout his career.
“I try to help people fulfil their potential and try to bring out the best in them,” Steve began, when asked to define his own role and what it entails.
“I’m a holistic presence in what I do — focussing on the body, mind and heart. I aim to help people to love what they do and really enjoy it on a daily basis. It’s about creating an environment for you to be your best.”
Growing up as a talented footballer with Newcastle United and a boxer, he didn’t quite make the grade in either. However, after studying for a degree in sport science and thereafter running his own fitness classes, it wasn’t too long before he entered professional sport as a coach — something he was seemingly destined for from a young age. 7 or 8 years old, to be exact.
“I had a week away and went camping or something with my uncle in Staines. I seemed to have disappeared and someone went and asked my uncle if he was looking for a young lad. My uncle said yes and then the person told him that I was out on the field where a football game was being played, telling them all how to play football.
“I just loved the idea of being a hero and being able to fix things. I wanted to be able to do something that makes a difference but without the fanfare.”
In a career that has taken him to the likes of Newcastle Falcons, Queens Park Rangers and the Welsh national rugby team, what is Steve’s secret to success and how has he found a way to consistently forge successful and positive relationships with coaches and players alike? Flexibility, he says, has been the most importance factor.
“Relationships should be bespoke. Each time I work with someone, a team or a business, I don’t do the same thing.”
A stellar example of Steve’s adaptable communication style and ability to notice the minimal differences in how each individual wants to be treated comes in the shape of one specific interaction he had with former England international rugby player Tony Underwood.
“Tony said to me “Blackie, I’m finding it a bit difficult. You’re always such a nice lad. You’re just a lovely guy.”
“He told me that he had made the move from Leicester Tigers where they were always fighting with each other so he just asked if I could be a bit harder on him. It was noticeable that I started being harder on him and one or two boys were saying wow, Blackie. That’s not like you. I never told them the reason why I was being tougher on Tony, instead, I just said that it was for all the right reasons.”
That trust Steve has with his players, he suggests, is one of the most important things when looking to develop relationships with players. Although he prides himself on his ability to read situations and people, nobody, he feels, knows themselves better than themselves. This is something he takes into consideration when, at the start of every one-to-one training session, he asks how an individual is feeling and how they slept the previous night.
“For me, trust is 100% the most important thing. If I am training you and you’re not feeling well and I just ignore you like it’s some kind of military thing which we need to just get done or people will die, it doesn’t work. You’ve got to have their best interests at heart.
“One of my longest relationships which, later, turned into a great friendship was Jonny Wilkinson. From the outset it was someone who wanted to do it and someone who wanted someone to support him to do it.”
After initially working with Wilkinson and witnessing his exceptional work-rate, commitment and dedication first hand, it was only a slight tweak in his mindset that allowed the floodgates of success and career progression to follow.
“From early doors, he wanted to be the best in training, the best in the country, the best in the southern hemisphere, the best in the northern hemisphere and the best in the world. I asked him is that it? Most people would ask if there is anything else, but there is. It’s wanting to be the best that you can be.”
Whilst proving to be a major success throughout various spells in rugby, his methods and philosophy have translated so effectively across a range of different sports — including football with Newcastle United and later QPR. Just how, though, has Steve managed to cross the divide of so many different sports and industries and still found a way to taste success?
“It’s because I know about people. I know about sport. I am good at finding talents and good at finding ways for them to perform on a match day.
“If people expect to win, chances are they will. When I was at QPR, the time I went in expectations weren’t high. I just reminded them that they were good players and a good team. In meetings we’d put up videos of them playing well and doing great things. Making passes, great tackles, scoring goals. I also looked into the team and its different units. I brought the team tighter and tighter.
“By the time the play-off semi-final came, we were so together. By the end of the game, Steve McLaren, commenting on the game, said wow, that is some togetherness.”
With QPR winning promotion that year to the riches of the Premier League, you’d be forgiven in thinking, at that point, Steve had some kind of magic wand. One flick of the wrist and everything he waves at turns to success. Steve is keen to insist however that what he does isn’t exclusive to the spell books, instead any club, organisation or individual could create a winning environment and culture can instil it.
“People want to make it as complicated as possible. I want to make it as simple as possible. If I test someone’s speed over 30 metres, don’t put chairs or obstacles in the way. If you pull them out the way then you won’t be surprised if you start to run faster.
“Build relationships where people feel valued. Whether it’s the top scorer or a person who does the strips or makes the sandwiches in the cafeteria. Everyone has to be involved. You’ve also got to get already influential people thinking in the same way, using the same types of phrases in conversations.”
Reading this, you may think that getting influential people on your side sounds like one of the easiest parts. What are you supposed to do if the group has a number of challenging individuals? Kill them with kindness, Steve suggests.
“Treat them absolutely unbelievable to the extent where they think to themselves are these people crackers?. They’re going to be thinking, when I’ve done this before usually it results in an argument, but it’s impossible to upset these people.
“It’s not possible to convert everybody, but you can neutralise some people. Once you build these relationships, it actually allows you to be critical to these individuals. It’s because they realise that you do have their best interest at heart so what you’re saying is used in order to help them.”
Steve does however agree that such success with different personalities does require a certain level of emotional intelligence and ability to read people. However, there is another way which is equally as effective in helping to form meaningful and beneficial relationships. The power of laughter.
“As I was getting older there was a lot of naturalness in reading people. Looking into personality traits which I had done from a young age. But the start always needs to be the same — open and respectful. The first time I make someone smile or laugh, discussions open up and you’ll be surprised how much they’ll open up too.
“One of my mantras is that you decide to like people. I sometimes say to people, listen, decide to like me cause it’ll be worth your while.”
Quick Fire Questions
Are you more of an introvert or extrovert?
Extrovert.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Caring, giving and intentional
Biggest mental challenge you have faced in your career?
Restraining enthusiasm. Sometimes I come across as a bit manic, but I’ve tried to control it. I only come across manic because I’m so enthusiastic.
Biggest personality strength?
I’m mentally tough but loving. So I’d say caring resilience.
Biggest personality weakness?
I really want people to like me.
Best moment of your life?
My three children. Twin boys and a girl.
Best piece of advice?
From Marcus Aurellias: “If it’s not right, don’t do it. If it’s not true, don’t say it.”
