Defining Leadership
Defining Leadership
7 ways to lead the team: Be First -------- Be Last
1) Be First to lead by example--- and be last to violate team standards
A. I don’t care
- Red flag to coaches, this person is playing for other reasons
B. Maybe/Maybe not
- Hesitant, reluctant to believe in the teams standards
- If I start, if we are winning, if it benefits me = I will give my best
C. Over the top
- This is a dangerous level, a player who will do anything to be successful
- Steroids, etc.
D. If I have to I will
- This person is not fully committed to the team’s standards
E. Full commitment – “I’m in”
- To the team, the coaches, the team’s values
- This person embraces everything the team stands for
- Weak people = will run away from commitment
- Strong people = will run towards commitment
2) Be first to be a lifeline of communication between coach and team--- and be the last
to withhold information
- Communication from coach-players-coach-player-teammates-captains etc.
- There can not be any subgroups
- Ask the coach: What is my job? Why did you choose me?
- Clarify your job description with your coach
3) Be the first to praise others---and be the last to brag or draw attention to yourself
- Spread the praise, you will get enough attention as a leader
- Do not be arrogant or brag
- Always take less credit when the team does well
- Always take more blame when the team does poorly
- Confidence vs. arrogant
- Is from preparation
- ex: How are you going to do Friday
- We are going to kill them
- We had a great week of practice, we are well prepared
- Carry confidence quietly, and be humble
- Interviewed after a game
- Regardless of the first question, your response will contain at lest two or three other teammates
- Spread the spotlight to those who do not usually get it
4) Be the first to protect and defend--- and the last to criticize
- Loyalty to self, teammates and coaches
- If you have a problem with a coach or teammate, you go to that person, you don’t
talk bad about that person to other people
- Critiques will come
- Captains should be the first line of defense around the team
- “Stop, you are talking about my team, my coach etc”
5) Be the first to confront violations of team standards---and the last to ignore problems
- How will you confront team violations?
- Ex: teammate is lazy, late for practice, trouble in school, lost confidence
- If you love your team and believe in the team you will confront problems
- Good confrontation = Problem goes away and relationship grows
1. Courage to step up to your peer
2. Do you demonstrate integrity, do you walk the walk
- Confrontation styles
Ex: Talk quietly, discretely and direct to your peer
Ex: You are being lazy, this team is not lazy, you need to get on board with our team standards and get out
6) Be the first to encourage—and the last to become discouraged
- Mentally tough
- Stay positive and enthusiastic not matter what happens
- You can not pout, be moody or have drama
- This is not a choice, if you want to be a leader
7) Be the first to serve and be the last to be served
- Some programs believe the longer you are in the program, the less you need to do
- You should believe it is a privilege to be a senior/leader, you should assume more responsibilities the longer you are in the program
- Last person off the bus, out of the locker room to make sure it is clean
- Thank the official after the game
How to be a successful Leader
1) Share leadership
- Among all the captains, you must meet the 7 ways to lead
- Share with teammates
- You must see each role as equal value
- The person who picked up the groundball, the player who set the pick,
the player who practices hard, but does not play etc.
- If you do this, your teammates will work hard and buy into their role
- Great teams = Equal value
2) Welcome new teammates
- Think of your most vivid memory of a senior when you were a freshman
Notes
- Being a leader on this team is short term
- Enjoy where you are now in your life!