Leadership is the ability to inspire others to get results.
Whether you are a coach, a business leader, a parent, or all of the above, nothing truly good happens without leadership.
Leadership comprises learnable skills and habits that anyone can develop.
The question is desire.
As a winning coach and business founder, here are 3 guidelines I’ve used that you can apply immediately in your life and work to enhance your leadership effectiveness:
1: Individual Player Development
In collegiate sports, I learned early-on that coaching is a people business.
Leadership is no different. Sure, success is a team sport. However, everything starts with the person in front of you. Great leaders take the time to understand the aspirations, strengths, and struggles of the human beings around them.
2: The Caring Advantage
People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
Vastly greater than a mere platitude, superb leaders are focused on helping others succeed. A culture of caring drives motivation. When people feel acknowledged, appreciated, and rewarded, they are willing to go the extra mile to create excellence.
3: Situational Leadership Styles
The best leaders are grounded in principle, yet flexible in practice.
Everyone is different. To treat individuals the same is what we call in tennis a “gross mis-hit.” The ball won’t go where you want it to go and you’ll have people running for the fence. Great leaders are self-aware and empathetic, always looking for ways to leverage everyone’s unique talents.
Actions Steps to Elevate Your Leadership Game
- Get to know your team members.
- Give people time and attention.
- Be grounded in principle, yet flexible in practice.
