Leadership isn’t for the chosen few; it’s the responsibility of everyone.

Most athletes want to be a difference-maker, but few know how. Most coaches want leaders, but few have a system to build them.

Resources

"This book gives athletes the ultimate roadmap to becoming the type of leader every coach wants on their team."

Dusty May,

Head Coach, University of Michigan

2026 National Champions

The Ultimate Guide for any Athlete

A Proven 4-Level Leadership Framework

  • Know Yourself: Discover the values that drive your personal best.

  • Lead Yourself: Master your internal state and become an example worth following.

  • Lead Others: Build connections and master hard conversations.

  • Lead the Team: Become a designer of elite team culture and chemistry.

"A must-read on how to lead with integrity and authenticity—characteristics we need now more than ever."

Brad Stulberg,

New York Times bestselling author of The Way of Excellence

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"The missing piece to the toolbox of every coach, athlete, and administrator. It is an engaging, challenging, and extremely detailed resource. As a coach, no one tells you how to develop your leadership council—finally, there is a book that will."

Tim Miller

"This is the roadmap to personal growth and fulfillment I wish I had when I was an athlete. It provides the essential scaffolding to turn 'players' into intentional leaders, giving them the confidence and communication skills they need for a high-pressure season."

Melissa James


"A simple, powerful, and easily understood tool to build a leadership framework, J.P. Nerbun has created a masterpiece. Any coach, teacher, or leader at any level will be inspired to use these methods to take their organization to the next level."

Scott Dempsey

More About the Book

The Culture Captain provides the practical leadership tools and coaching every athlete needs. Drawing on coaching conversations with over 100 elite athletes and research into the world’s greatest leaders, this book uses the fictional story of Lily to coach you through a proven 4-level leadership framework.

Whether you are a starter, reserve, or a veteran, leadership is a skill that can be learned, practiced, and mastered. Packed with practical examples, tools, and exercises, The Culture Captain is the ultimate guide for any athlete ready to lead themselves, lead others, and lead the team.

One of the best books you will read on team and personal standards. I found the insights into the process professional athletes use just as valuable as the story itself. You will view and approach leadership differently after reading The Culture Captain!

TJ Hoffpauir 

A great blend of fable and fact that makes building team culture engaging and practical. The story format pulls you in and helps you see how the leadership principles translate directly into everyday situations. Every chapter leaves you with something you can immediately put into practice.

Kevin Thiessen 

Are great leaders born or made? We assume unique individuals have 'it'—an innate ability to get the most out of others. This book proves otherwise. In its pages, you will find a pathway open to all—a framework athletes of all ages can follow to unlock their potential.

Nate Sanderson

About JP Nerbun

J.P. Nerbun is a world-renowned leadership coach, sports consultant, and the visionary founder of TOC, a leading global sports-consulting and coaching business. With an accomplished career as a professional basketball coach spanning over a decade, J.P. has solidified his expertise in team culture, drawing from his extensive background and knowledge.

J.P.'s mission is to empower leaders and their teams to reach their full potential through coaching, consulting, and community-building. Throughout his career, he and his team have provided personalized coaching and practical resources to hundreds of leaders across various industries, including sports, education, medicine, and business. J.P. is also the founder and co-host of the highly acclaimed sports leadership podcast, Coaching Culture.

In 2019, J.P. published his debut book, Calling Up: Discovering Your Journey to Transformational Leadership. This book has received critical acclaim for its captivating narrative and practical insights. In 2022, he followed up with The Culture System: A Proven Process for Creating an Extraordinary Team Culture, a groundbreaking book that explores a proven framework for developing team culture, embraced by top-tier organizations. Continuing his dedication to leadership development, J.P. launched The Culture System Online Training Platform in 2023, providing leaders with leadership training that equips them with practical skills and tools to enhance their team's culture.

J.P. resides in Ireland with his wife and three children.

Get the Culture Captain Field Guide

  • Real-Time Reflection Tools

  • Daily Action Blueprints

  • Peer-Coaching Activities

  • Step-by-Step Leadership Frameworks