LEADERSHIP

A role, an example, a need, an avoidance, a challenge, a priority, a preference, an ability, an inability, an opportunity, a chance for greatness, a chance to enhance one's destiny, a chance to shine, a chance to make a difference, a chance to step up or down, a chance to lead those that will follow and leave those that won't. A chance to improve those that are around you and make your own lot better. A chance to improve your environment and if your environment impacts you, improve yourself. Developing leadership qualities gives you control over yourself and helps you impact others in a positive way. It helps you have control over your environment which furthers your ability to impact and control YOUR OWN DESTINY. Think about what you can do.............empower yourself.................help yourself and help others at the same time. GROW TOGETHER.

So many things go into being a leader, and so many things come out of having a GOOD leader. Take a moment to reflect on where you stand. Take this test:

1) Do I lead by example?

2) Do I speak up when I see wrong?

3) Do I correct things that are not right?

4) If the cashier gives me too much money back do I bring it to her attention? If not, do I consider it stealing?

5) If I can get away with doing less, is that the choice I make?

6) If an 83 is a B am I happy with it yet if it is called a C+ I am not, even though it is still an 83?

7) Do I take the little guy's side? Do I try to help them if there is a problem or do I ignore it?

8) Am I afraid to bring attention to myself so I do not correct a wrong?

9) Do I find it easier to hide than stop a wrong?

10) Do I do my best every day? Do I respect those that do their best everyday? Do I treat those that don't differently?

11) Do I understand others' levels of commitment or do I begrudge them?

12) Do I think those that have luck or talent are bad or attack them for their gifts?

13) Do I respect my own luck and talent and work to develop it to its fullest? Am I careful not to brag or misuse the talents that I have been given?

14) Do I wish others ill will so that I will look better?

15) Do I forgive? Do I forget?

16) Do I take responsibility for my actions?

17) Do I measure others based on my standards or on theirs?

18) Do I get mad at others when I do not perform up to my expectations? Do I get mad at others when they may exceed my expectations of them?

19) Do I try to help those that may be ahead of me or try to hinder them? Do I try to learn from them?

20) Do I relish the failure of those ahead of me?

21) Do I try to help those behind me get better or do I fear being caught?

22) Do I measure success against my deeds/performance or by the deeds/performance of others?

23) Do I make excuses for treating others poorly, saying they deserve it? Is cheating ok if I beat those that aggravate me? Is cheating ok if I beat "others" that cheat?

24) Do I consider skipping something cheating if it allows me to catch up? Do I consider it cheating when someone else does the same thing?

25) Do I get mad at others for cheating? Do I say so?

26) Do I listen to my teammates' problems? Do I lend a sympathetic ear? Do I give advice? Do I attend to ALL my teammates or just some of them?

27) Do I congratulate others when they are successful?

28) Do I know when others are successful? Do I know when others are disappointed? Am I aware of others?

29) Do I want to lead? Do I want to hide out? Do I want to strive for the utmost or do I accept mediocrity? Am I willing to take the hard road over the easy?

30) Do I challenge others to help me? Do I ask others to race me at practice? Do I help others and do I seek help for myself?

Being on a team means many things to each of its members. Being a leader of that team can help mold and direct both the team and its influence on every member. It is an important and vital role. Coach George Block wrote an article which appears on the ASCA website identifying these steps to becoming a leader: knowing the operating procedures of the team, coooperation with all its members, leading by example, and finally leading by voice.

Block states that knowing the operating procedures allows you to make judgments on what falls within the acceptable norm of the team and of team rules. Knowing how things work also tells you how they should not be done. Choices can be made based on this knowledge. Cooperation is the step that brings you closer to the center of the group or team. This allows for more direct input in the functions and actions that go on around you. Contributing to the support of those that are leading is a huge part of the whole package. Leaders need followers and by listening and supporting the right leaders, you are contributing to maintaining the process and the system will support future leaders. And contributing to the support of the non-leaders is even a bigger step toward developing your own individual leadership skills.

Leading by example is the first major step in helping to impact the direction that you feel the team should be going in. Often, athletes think this is all that is required of them. Many times they have no idea of the impact that they can have by simply following through with a few words after leading by example. If you lead by example, then your voice already carries more weight than those who do not do the work and speak loudly. The respect comes from watching you lead by example. Credibility by action is often granted the greatest level of respect by your peers. It gives you the respect of your coaches. By offering a few words, it will carry you into a voice of respectability and leadership that will have far greater impact. This leads you to true leadership status.

Leadership by voice. After establishing yourself as being a hard working no nonsense individual, your peers will look for your input and opinions. By working hard you show them that anyone can do it. You show them that meeting challenges is the road toward self respect and success. By speaking up, "leading by voice", you can finish the process. This is the stage that most people think of when they denote a person as a leader. Leadership must be earned. Respect must be earned. No real leader can lead without the respect of their followers.

So, swimmers of all levels, start on your path of leadership today. Know how the I'On Swimming system works and work within the system. Try to better the system by working within it and promoting it. Cooperate with those that are working and trying to lead. Support them, support the system and work to lead by example. Athletes, if you work and lead by example you cannot fail in your endeavors. You may not learn to lead by voice but you will have the respect of your peers and your coaches. You may not reach the Olympic medal you dreamed of as an 8 & under, but you will have learned the process from which greatness springs. You will have learned to work for your rewards. The process is easily as important as the end result if not more so. I will always be more proud of the work effort that an athlete has put forth  than the results of any one race. Lead by voice and you really protect the role of the team's future leaders. Measure your words carefully for your stature has been earned, so honor it. -Coach TJ