How To Be A Leader

Watch the video. Use the info below to refresh your memory.

Here are clear, actionable steps that will help you become a leader and that in turn will help you be a better player:

STEP 1 – TRAIN WITH INTENSITY

Make sure you train with absolute focus and intensity during every session, starting from the warm up. Your Teammates will notice this and it will move you closer to being regarded as a leader. You’ll be looked at as someone who sets an example and this is a big deal in terms of leadership. The player who jokes around all the time is never gonna be a leader.

STEP 2 – REACT IMMEDIATELY

If you lose the ball, react immediately to try and get it back. Again, this is setting an example and that is something leaders do. don’t expect teammates to respect you automatically; you need to earn their respect and you do this by setting a great example of working hard on behalf of the team. Even if teammates don’t immediately say it or show it, deep down they 100% will respect you for setting this kind of example.

STEP 3 – ARRIVE FIRST

Arrive first and leave last. Make sure you are on time for training, games or events. Be the player who arrives first but don’t just smash the ball around; offer to help the coach setup. Again, leaders take responsibility for these things. When teammates arrive, shake their hand and look them in the eye. This is so much more impactful than a fist bump or nothing at all. A handshake and eye contact command respect.

STEP 4 – ENCOURAGE TEAMMATES

Encourage teammates, don’t criticize them. You can hold them accountable and tell them the team expects better if they drop their standards, that’s fine. But don’t point fingers or badmouth them. Push and encourage them to give their best. Again, leaders do this consistently and teammates will respect you for it. “We’re not working hard enough, all of us, let’s do more.” This kind of statement says that WE are all in this together. That’s something great leaders do.

STEP 5 – NO EXCUSES

Be positive and don’t make excuses. If you lose a game, don’t blame the ref or the pitch or anything else. Take responsibility, “we didn’t work hard enough and we didn’t play well enough to win today. Let’s focus at training this week and put things right in the next game.” If you can master this approach, always being the player who takes responsibility and doesn’t make any excuses, teammates will automatically respect you.

If you take action on these five steps, you will become a leader on your team.  Get started immediately at your next training session or game and you’ll notice that your teammates show you more respect. It might take a couple of weeks or a few months but over time, the result of your actions will be that you become the leader you were born to be.

Now go and lead!