E40: Are YOU a Leader? - Maccabi Series

Are YOU a Leader - Maccabi Series

Transcript

*****************

Are YOU a Leader? - Maccabi Series

*******

Situation

It's official! The teams have come out and we are days away from competing in the Maccabi games. Taylor gets the email that he is on the second team of three teams.  Taylor is very disappointed that he did not make the first team and asks his coach why?  He has been to every practice and he tries really hard. The coach explained that Taylor has the opportunity to be a leader on his team and help them as he is the only point guard on the team. Point Guard…the quarterback and leader of the team.  Taylor asks if there is any way he can move up or if he is STUCK on this team. Hmmmmmmm……

***********

What do you think of when you think of a LEADER?  What are the qualities that YOU look for in a good leader? There are many types of leaders and many different ways to show leadership.  Let’s take a look.

What is the definition of leadership? The dictionary defines leadership as the action of leading a group of people or organization. It is the state or position of being a leader. When you are trying to define a word, you don't really want to use the word that you're trying to explain in the definition. So, I looked up the definition of leader. A leader is a person who leads or commands a group organization or country. Again lead is still in definition, so I looked up what the word lead means. Lead is to show someone or something the way to a destination by going in front of or beside them. Another definition of lead is “a reason or motive for someone or something”. 

Leaders help people to build confidence (see episode 5). They help to optimize the performance of the athletes around them. Leaders also have respect for their teammates and a positive relationship with both their coaches and their teammates. They are good at motivating others (see episode 2) and are accountable, meaning they take responsibility for their actions and the outcome of those actions.  Leaders also communicate well with the coaches and their teammates.  If we look at the CORE of leadership, it is the concept that you work with others to accomplish something bigger than yourself.

As the Maccabi games are about to start, let’s look at the six key values of the games: 1. Repairing the world - social action and the pursuit of social justice

2. Respect - treating ourselves and others with respect and appreciating people for who they are

3. Joy - Being happy 

4. Pride - feeling confident and reaching your full potential

5. Big-hearted - welcoming others and being kind

6. Jewish peoplehood - sense of belonging and commitment to the Jewish people

How do you show these values? How does a LEADER show these values?  Let’s go back to our example.  Taylor is not happy with the team he was put on for the games. The experience of the games is so much bigger than what team you are on. For example, let's look at the value of Joy. Being happy isn't always easy. Life has its disappointments and frustrations. Finding Joy can be as simple as being able to find the positive in a situation to focus on. Taylor COULD focus on the fact that he did not make the team that he wanted to make. This COULD make him sad and ruin his entire experience. OR  Taylor could focus on the fact that he has an incredible opportunity to become a leader on his team and help those other players and himself to have the best experience possible. Whether you were put in a leadership role or you created a leadership role for yourself, it is important to take advantage of every leadership situation as they provide unique opportunities for growth.

Let’s look at another value - Pride - feeling confident and reaching your full potential. How can you reach your full potential if you do not go outside of your comfort zone? It is much easier to follow than to lead. It is difficult to be the person that everybody looks up to, the person that the team relies on to take on more of the responsibility. Many times an effective leader is not recognized or acknowledged for the work that they do.  The Chinese Philosopher Lao Tzu captured the essence of a leader.  “A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: We did it ourselves.” Take a moment and think about that.  Are you confident that you have reached your full potential?  Are you a leader that does not need recognition?  Do you do what needs to be done, regardless of the situation?

To Review, The Focus four for Leadership are:

1. Leaders have qualities, such as motivation, confidence, communication and accountability for their actions
2. Leaders focus on the positive in a situation and take advantage of leadership opportunities when they present themselves
3. Leaders, whether appointed or natural, lead by example, going outside their comfort zone and do not need recognition for their actions.
4. Leadership, at it’s CORE, is the concept of working WITH others to accomplish something bigger than yourself.

What is one leadership quality that you see in yourself? What is one quality that you want to work on to help you to become a better leader?. For assistance with practice or additional tools to increase your level of leadership, contact me at RattoConsulting.com.  If you or your coaches or organization are interested in hosting a workshop or virtual seminar on this or any other sports psychology or performance optimizing topic, please email me at Laura@RattoConsulting.com. Good luck in the games and be sure to come back next week!

“The greatest leader is not necessarily one who does the greatest things.  He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” ~ Ronald Reagan