Frank’s New Release- The Art of Exceeding: Building High Performance Athletes
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The following post is an excerpt is from The Art of Exceeding.
From Champions to Leaders
Mastering Leadership Skills
Being a leader starts with taking care of yourself. It’s your job right now to maximize your potential. Through your journey (If done correctly), you’ll likely have a room full of trophies. There are thousands upon thousands of athletes who possess natural athletic skills. The dividing factor lies in work ethic and perseverance. The path to maximizing your potential lies in your leadership skills. Let’s look at the qualities that pushed Jake and Katie past the crowd:
4.1 Effective Communication
Effective communication is the cornerstone of improvement and leadership in sports. It goes beyond simply talking; it fosters understanding and builds strong connections with your parents and coaches. Leaders excel in communication by:
Active Listening: Katie listened attentively to her coaches and parents. She paid attention and tried to digest their messages.
Clear Expression: When she spoke, she did so with clarity. She stayed on topic and expressed her point of view with confidence.
Conflict Resolution: Katie developed the skills to resolve conflicts in matches through calm, open dialogue. Also, she maintains harmony with her parents and coaches.
4.2 Leading by Example
Jake was terrific at being accountable. He took responsibility for his losses yet credited his victories to his parents and coaches. By holding himself accountable for the many losses along his journey, he inspired us as his coaches to do the same.
4.3 Long-Term Vision
Both Jake and Katie were taught a long-term mentality. This perspective of letting go of immediate results relieved their pressure. They focused on the process, not the outcomes. I remember being invited to Katie’s house for dinner every few months and planning her tournament schedule with her and her folks.
4.4 Self-Motivation: The Drive to Excel
Leaders are self-motivated individuals. They don’t rely solely on others for motivation; they possess an intrinsic drive to push themselves relentlessly until they accomplish their goals. This self-motivation is infectious, inspiring others to strive for excellence.
4.5 Confidence: The Backbone of Leadership
Confidence is a defining trait of leaders. Jake earned his stripes by leaving his comfort zone often and tackling new challenges. Jake was open-minded, and that character trait fueled his growth. A leader’s confidence is built on daily micro-successes. Being a confident, growth-minded individual sets the tone for his entire team.
4.6 People Skills: Fostering Team Culture
Katie had exceptional people skills. She involved us in her decision-making. She genuinely cared about the well-being of her coaches and expressed it often. Katie made us feel valued and important to her success.
4.7 Emotional Intelligence: Mastering Emotions
These two past students possessed high emotional intelligence, enabling them to manage their emotions effectively and understand how they affected those around them. This self-awareness was instrumental in maintaining their positive tennis environment.
4.8 Coachability
Leaders acknowledge that they may not always have all the answers. Jake was open to listening to others’ perspectives and implementing their suggestions for improvement. His humility in seeking different viewpoints fostered innovation in his training and skyrocketed his growth.
4.9 A Strong Moral Code
Athletic leaders consistently strive to remain ethical in their actions. Their strong moral code serves as a compass, guiding their decisions.
4.10 Optimism: A Beacon in Tough Times
Positivity, during difficult times, is a quality that they both worked hard to try to maintain. Their optimism set a positive environment for handling tough losses. They were open to our video analysis of those difficult matches, providing insights into their customized development.
Becoming a leader is not solely about winning but about embodying skills and values that elevate oneself and those around them. Let’s continue to uncover how these qualities shape your trajectory as a top contender and life beyond the sport.
YOUR TAKEAWAY CHALLENGE
Leadership demands effective communication. Active listening is key as you digest the information your entourage of coaches provides. Being accountable and taking responsibility is part of being coachable. These skills are the qualities that shape you as a top contender in sports and life.
