Asset of Leadership 

by Richard Mack, USOC Human Resource Division 

Due to the intensely competitive nature of sports, effective leadership may be the most critical factor in determining success. By the very nature of the profession, a coach must be in the business of providing leadership every day. Failure to hone leadership skills is opportunity lost. 

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Leadership has been the subject of enough books and articles to have its own room in the public library. It may be helpful, however, to review the concept of leadership, particularly in contrast to the concept of management, with which leadership is often confused.

Typical management activities include staffing, financial management, systems design and administration, resource utilization, strategic planning, logistics management, time management, information management and many other activities that often can be accomplished adequately in the absence of a motivated and effective team.

Of course, management skills are important, but they will not breed success unless accompanied by strong leadership. One of the most common metaphors about strong leadership is "If you are not the lead sled dog, the view never changes." But what are the characteristics of the lead dog?

Leadership can be illustrated by profiling the behaviors of effective leaders:

Create Vision and Commitment

Perhaps the most critical of all leadership skills is leading a collaborative effort to create a common vision and being able to instill commitment to its achievement.

Maintain Integrity

Leadership must be grounded in values; the best leaders never compromise their values.

Collaborate

Leaders take advantage of every possible resource, including human ones. In most instances, taking a collaborative approach to organizational management reaps the benefit of commitment to shared goals.

Lead By Example

An effective leader models the behavior he/she seeks in others; leaders "walk the talk."

Gives Credit for Success and Accepts Responsibility for Failure

Because leaders value their team's success more than personal success, they deflect praise when successful and accept responsibility for failure. There is no better way to develop loyalty than by exercising this principle.

Catch Someone Doing Something Right

One of the under-utilized leadership skills is giving positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement builds enthusiasm, self-confidence and commitment, and it creates dramatically increased receptivity to constructive feedback, when it must be given.

Communicate by Listening

Effective communication is critical in creating a common vision, but the listening element of communication is too often overlooked. The best communicators are the best listeners.

Delegate

Leaders delegate in an environment where it is acceptable to fail. Obviously this concept has to be executed within reasonable parameters but allowing competent people to take reasonably calculated risks will pay dividends in the long run.

Practice the Golden Rule

Treat others as you wish to be treated. This is a concept about treating others with respect that is so simple we teach it to four-year-olds, yet adults often forget it. It works!

Create an Environment for Self-Motivation

You have undoubtedly been exposed to countless seminars, courses and lectures about "how to motivate people." The fact is most motivation comes from within each individual, not from external forces. By living many of the behaviors outlined above, you can create the environment where self-motivation becomes a reality.

Treat Everyone as Equals Whenever Possible

Organizations everywhere are flattening hierarchies; organizational charts are becoming less vertical and more horizontal. A non-hierarchical environment encourages participation, creativity and risk-taking, all contributing to the maximum synergy of the organization.

Can a coach utilize all of these principles all the time? Certainly not. Every organization or team has its own blend of individuals and group chemistry that requires a unique approach to leadership. But regardless of how the coach defines and implements his/her leadership style, paying close attention to the issue should be a high priority. Whether observing a group of over-achievers or under-achievers, you can bet that effective leadership, or the absence of it, is the thing that makes the difference