Developing Leadership

I think one of the toughest things to do in coaching is to help athletes develop leadership. This morning I have been brainstorming ways to develop leadership. As I have discussed in previous blogs leadership is influence. Every athlete on a team is going to influence others in some way. However, one of the things I have learned is that usually your best athletes and your most experienced athletes are going to have the most influence on the group. I believe one of the biggest components of developing leadership is time. If you display good leadership, then those people around you will grow from your leadership over time. Another component is experience-- put your team or group in a situation in which they have to work together to be successful. Make your practices more difficult than the games. This allows the players a chance to grow together, or apart, and to work through the adversity. When you put a group in an adverse situation you get to really see who your leaders are. Encourage and acknowledge good leadership decisions by those on the team. Talking to players in a 1 on 1 situation can be very valuable. Also utilize classroom time to discuss what characteristics make up a good leader. As the leader of a team I think it is important to identify the role of every member within the group. Not only identify the role, but make sure each person takes ownership in their role. This will promote leadership within the team. Lastly, as the top leader you need to allow the members of the team or group the opportunity to be creative with their leadership. Don't be so authoritative that they are solely dependent on your leadership. In conclusion, it is important to have patience- promote growth through experience- encourage and acknowledge positive decisions- promote ownership of roles- and allow creativity--every person in the group will not lead in the same way!