This study aimed to identify the optimal leadership styles for team sports coaches and their impact on the performance of student-athletes at the University of San Jose–Recoletos (USJ-R). Specifically, it examined the relationship between various leadership; Transformational, Democratic, Transactional, Authoritarian, and Laissez-Faire and the development of 21st-century learning skills, including communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and computer literacy. Data were collected through a structured survey of student-athletes, and the results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. Findings revealed that the majority of student-athletes assessed their overall sports performance as Exemplar, indicating high-level in-game effectiveness. Furthermore, Democratic and Laissez-Faire leadership styles showed the strongest positive correlations with essential 21st-century skills, suggesting that these leadership approaches are most effective in enhancing athlete performance in team sports settings. The study concludes that athlete-centered leadership styles foster both skill development and competitive performance, and recommends their integration into coaching practices to support holistic athlete growth.