Who is the leader?

Who is the captain? Is he or she a great leader? Does he or she know how to serve the players they are leading?

We often praise members of the team voted as a captain. Being a captain can be a complement to leadership abilities and personality. It also can be a testament to popularity and has nothing to do with leadership. Many times, coaches assist the team in choosing captains for the season because they understand the need to have leaders knowing how to follow.

Captains are usually some of the best players on the team but back up players can serve as captains too. I have been fortunate over the years to have some great leaders who served as captains. Some of these captains did not play much in games but they were great leaders.

The same works for a coaching staff. Head coaches need assistants that lead, serve, and sacrifice for the good of the team. There are coordinators and assistant coaches. This is a job assignment but who is the leader of the group? That remains to be seen. Non-starters can serve as captains. Many times, these players are first in line or in a drill. They cheer on their teammates when they are not on the field playing.

All coaches have leadership roles. Not everyone can be the head coach or a coordinator. Even if an assistant coach has the ability and experience to serve in one of those roles, being a trusted follower is extremely important.

Everyone is a follower. A pastor might be the leader of the church congregation but has a leader, also. The superintendent of a school district is the school district’s leader but reports to a board of education. The president of a university serves in a capacity of serving the needs of students. The list can go on and on. There are five basic styles of followership. As I list these five styles of followers, see if you can identify people who fit in these styles. The first style is the sheep follower. This person does what they are told and must be led every step of the way.

Next is the yes man. A person who always wants to do whatever the boss says without adding any expertise. I know you have seen the next style of followership, the dictator. This person alienates people every time they open their mouth to tell others what to do. Even though this person might give the right instruction or guidance, they alienate people as they work with them. Then there is the chameleon. They say what they need to say to convince the boss they are right on what needs to be done. They change with the wind. Then there are the star followers who bring extra to the table. These people are humble, honest, demonstrate integrity, and are willing to say the right things in the right respectful manner.

The star followers remind me of players and coaches who sacrifice for the team, regardless of their playing or coaching situation. They lead by example and perform to their best ability. They pay attention to detail. They understand vision is for the team to succeed and they are willing to do what is necessary to make a difference.

Thought for the week — “If a team is to reach its potential, each player must be willing to subordinate his personal goals to the good of the team.” Bud Wilkinson

Dr. Jack Welch is an educator and college football coach. His doctorate is in educational administration, and he has been an educator, administrator, and football coach, mentoring young minds, for over 40 years. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching. He can be reached at jackwelch1975@gmail.com.