Leadership 2018

November 18th, 2018

Leadership

Leadership

Integrity

Service to others

Captain's Role

Wow! What a finish to the fall league. The JV competed in every game. We had 7^th and 8^th graders contributing over the past three weeks – getting some valuable experience and reminding us that there is a still a lot of talent coming up through the middle schools. The varsity demonstrated that they can play with anyone in our area beating some of the best teams in the league and improving in just about every game. Tonight – yes tonight – the game didn’t end until around 7:30 – they battled a talented, tough, big and deep Central team. Undermanned (is underwomaned a word?), missing 3 or 4 players, the girls took Central into overtime before we ran out of gas and lost by 2. The game highlighted the improvements the girls made since they committed to being a better team last March. We improved at finishing our inside opportunities, handled the full court press, ran a very effective transition offense, made the extra pass, defended and rebounded well.

We’ll miss our seniors – Kayla, Colby, Caroline, Sydney, Mary Kate, Jenna and AJ – and wish them well. They have been with us a long time and have been a lot of fun to be around – and they have become pretty good players. They have also represented our program well and have been great role models for the younger players.

So, the school seasons are here. Tryouts for the high school players begin tomorrow, Monday, November 19^th. Once the teams have been selected the coaches will choose their captain(s). Unless it’s a ceremonial position, granted solely on seniority, the captain(s) will be the liaison between the coaches and the players. By necessity they are among the very best leaders on the team. Teams need leaders to lead them.

Leadership today is different than it was in the past. Leaders were often feared or revered as someone who was all knowing. Today effective leaders don’t tell you what to do. They don’t have all the answers. They don’t intimidate you into complying. They see the people around them as equal partners and resources, not objects to be manipulated to reach a goal. Real leaders connect with other people. They are not feared, they are respected. True leaders demonstrate, through their actions, that they care about the people they lead. They know that, if they truly care, people will be loyal and committed in return. Lots of people like to be thought of as leaders but few really want to do what it takes to lead.

Leaders know that for a group of players to become a team there has to be something that ties them together. To be a team all the players have to want the same things – they need a shared or common purpose. To be committed each player has to know that each of their teammates wants the same thing that they want. When the players are not on the same page the group will have difficulty becoming a team. Selfish agendas lead to dissension and team conflict.

Smart coaches understand the value of the captain position and clearly outline the roles and responsibilities. Without an important role and clear responsibilities a captain is just a title holder. When that’s the case we should just change the title from captain to Pasta Party Queen. We’ll only ask them to coordinate the traditional pasta party, shake hands before each game and choose the warm up music.

With the title of captain (leader) comes the responsibility to keep everyone focused and working on the common purpose. Ideally, every team member would speak to those who drift, but when others don’t speak, the captain(s) needs to find the courage to step up and address the player and get her back on board. There can be all kinds of issues that pop up during a season. Selfish play, changes in team roles and playing time, saving face after a tough loss or multiple losses, off court drama are just a few of the behaviors that distract teams from their purpose.

Some will say that handling these issues is the coach’s responsibility and that’s true. But coaches don’t always know the details of what’s going on. They often think they have addressed issues only to find out (often too late) that the problems were not resolved or they re-surfaced. The captain(s), as players, are living it. They know the whole truth, and let’s face it, the power and influence of peer relationships has started to replace the power and influence of adult relationships by the time these kids are sophomores. The kids care more about how their peers see them. Captains can communicate to both the players and the coaches.

The Janssen Sports Leadership Center studied more than 30,000 evaluations of sports captains from around the world and found six critical qualities “where the best leaders excel and ultimately differentiate themselves from the rest of the team.” Those evaluations showed that the best captains –

Ø Are the hardest workers – success and credibility as a captain depend on earning it every day.

Ø Encourage teammates – they bring out the best in their teammates by consciously connecting with each one.

Ø Are honest and trustworthy – they are the most responsible and reliable people on the team. They earn the trust of their teammates.

Ø Respect others – they are high character people. They seek to help, uplift and serve their teammates.

Ø Care passionately – they care about the team’s success, their teammates and the sport of basketball.

Ø Are competitive and compelled to win – they are highly competitive people. Their will sets the tone for the team.

I would add that the team leaders must be able to handle the conflicts and tension that will eventually surface as the season rolls on. They have to remember and remind the players that if you focus too much on peace and harmony you won’t see, or will ignore, the things that can ultimately tear you apart. Healthy conflict is necessary. They must also be able to handle their personal frustrations, putting aside their personal feelings for the benefit of the team.

Lieutenant General George Flynn of the United States Marine Corps, says, “The cost of leadership is self-interest.” Leaders commit to a social contract that puts the interests of those on the team and the team itself ahead of any personal agenda. Real leaders don’t need a title to lead. I’m sure that most of us have worked or played with people with rank who were not leaders and to the same point, leaders who did not have rank or authority. Leaders are the ones who choose to serve others on the team – everybody on the team - regardless of status.

Coaches look to align the title with the values and character of true leaders when choosing captains. It will take work by both the coaches and the captain(s) to develop a relationship built on trust and communication, but without it dissension and behind the scenes negativity has a place to root.

It may seem like we set the bar high for team leaders and captains but we know that great achievements don’t emerge when we lower the bar. The highly successful Voorhees teams of the past all had exceptional leadership. We’ve seen it as recently as 2017 when Allie Best and Caitlin Reilly were the team captains. Their leadership pushed that group to perform to a high standard – one that was not predicted by the individual talent on the roster.

This team, like all teams will need leadership. Our hope is that, when the captain(s) are chosen they will stay humble, courageous and accountable. Let the coaches know you intend to lead. If the coaches are held up and the team is drop kicking shots in from half court you can get practice started and focused. Model for the other players by always doing more than what is expected. Set the tone. Earn respect by owning your personal mistakes. Call the blame game for what it is when it occurs (and it will). Hold yourself and everybody accountable to the commitment you made to your purpose – no exceptions. Enjoy and learn from the highs and lows.

Seniors – it’s your last go around. “Make the most of your time together”. Don’t let ego, off court issues or anything get in your way. Underclassman, you have an opportunity to set in motion a run of three or four years of quality basketball at Voorhees. When the Voorhees program is at its best it motivates younger players to be like you – they want to be a part of it. When that happens the program produces year after year. Make that part of your legacy. Your play in the fall league gave you a peak at the possibilities. When you play together you can play with anybody in our area. Best of luck in the season ahead.

Middle school players keep working on your game and come out and watch the older girls play. They’ll appreciate your support.

Thanks to Sean Reilly and Dan O’Sullivan for all the time they put in to One Voice. It doesn’t happen without you guys!

Bob Peterman