Candidate Lisaius: Thoughts on coaching, teamwork and policy-making
September 28, 2026 | By Katarina Lisaius
Coaching is one of my greatest joys of the year. I spend my fall afternoons and evenings helping coach a local field hockey team: instructing field hockey fundamentals, growing as a coach, and most importantly learning more about teamwork. Teamwork takes time and dedication, and I truly believe that teamwork is one of the most powerful tools we have for problem-solving.
The heart of an athletic team is trust under pressure, communication and reliance on complementary skills – and is identical to what we want out of our government and lawmaking.
Working together begins with a foundation of trust, the ability to share different opinions, and knowing that your teammates have your back. On the field hockey field, success isn’t 11 players chasing the ball at once. It requires trusting your teammate to execute their specific position. In policy-making, members should know their clear roles, eliminating duplication of effort, and holding every partner accountable to shared outcomes. Everyone running to the ball at once creates confusion; instead, we can work together to score!
Collaboration mitigates complex, unintended consequences. In Vermont, we face many challenges with potential solutions at the state level. No problem can be solved by just one agency or expert. Instead, effective policy combines input from technical experts, impacted individuals, economists and community members. By involving many people, we prevent blind spots. And by working as a team, we create a safe environment to offer tough feedback and disagree constructively. On the field, athletes adjust strategies mid-game. When we work together, we can adjust effectively and proactively.
A policy’s success depends on long-term stability. When lawmaking is a collaborative effort with input from many agencies, public-private partnerships, and program participants, we all are invested in the outcome. When we feel like co-creators of our team culture, we stay invested through difficult seasons. We become leaders of the work, ensuring the vision continues to deliver long after the initial legislation is passed.
As I run for state representative for the Washington-Chittenden district, I often think about what skills I bring to the 150-person team. I am a dedicated public servant, committed to having many people provide input on any policy, and I deeply believe in a collaborative process. The success of our team comes from working together on the field or in the committee room, because it creates a stronger Vermont.
To talk more about teamwork, my legislative run, and teamwork on the field hockey field, please join state Rep. Theresa Wood and me for a Meet and Greet on Sunday, Oct. 4, from 3-5 p.m. at The Phoenix in Waterbury. If you are not able to join, please learn more about my campaign at katarinaforvermont.com.
Bolton resident Katarina Lisaius is a Democratic candidate for the Washington-Chittenden district in the Vermont House of Representatives, covering Waterbury, Bolton, Huntington and Buel’s Gore.