What is LEADERSHIP?

The athlete that demonstrates leadership serves as a role model to others on and off the field, takes the initiative to encourage teammates when the team has a setback, and is the athlete that the coach depends on to reinforce key messages to the team. The athlete who is a leader expects teammates to work hard and perform to the best of their abilities.

Take The MSA

INTERPRETING THE LEADERSHIP SCORE ON THE MSA

One may notice that when an athlete is a strong leader, other players seek the opinion and support of that athlete. The leader influences others by words and action and not by physical ability, strength, size, or authority.

WHAT CAN INFLUENCE THE LEADERSHIP SCORE?

Open to Feedback, Goal Setting, and Goal Implementation are critical for successful Leadership.

TIPS FOR ATHLETE

Do you have a strong Leadership skill? Is your Leadership MSA score high or low? In what situations is the score high and in what situations is it low? What are your Leadership BITEs? Are they different in different situations?

Not all athletes wish to be team leaders. Decide whether or not you wish to serve as a team leader. You can build your Leadership mental skills without having to serve as a leader in any official capacity.

Leaders are role models. Role-models are those athletes whom others respect and admire. Leaders may or may not be the most skilled athletes. Effective leaders have high scores on most, if not all, of the mental skills consistently across situations.
Leaders have strong mental skills and encourage the same in others. Their encouragement and “positive attitude” has an emotional impact on their teammates. Leaders speak to their teammates about their athletic and mental skills and help other athletes develop both.

TIPS FOR COACHES

Which athlete(s) had high scores on Leadership in the MSA? Did these athletes score well on most mental skills, especially Goal Setting, Goal Implementation, and Open to Feedback?

Select as your team leaders or team captain the athlete or athletes who score well on most or all of the MSA mental skills. Select your team leaders or team captain based upon whether their teammates do or will respond to him/her as a role model.
Recognize that different athletes may act as leaders in different situations. The athlete who is the leader in a game or following a setback may not be a leader during practice or in off-the-field situation. Ideally your team captain and formal leaders act as leaders in all or most situations.

ATHLETES

When I set a goal, do I usually follow through and implement a plan to reach that goal?

Do I layout a specific plan to reach a goal?

COACHES

Do my athletes believe in and adapt the goals put forward by the team?

Do I recognize when I may need to suggest modifying an existing goal for an athlete?