Act Confidently to Become Confident

Captains, a leader's job is to inspire confidence.

"Attitudes follow behavior." Adopt behaviors that increase your influence and ultimately show your competence. 

Non-verbal communication:

• Stand tall, have good posture.
• Make yourself big. 
• Make eye contact. 
• Have a firm handshake.
• After a mistake, shake it off. Stay confident. 

Verbal communication:

• Speak confidently and directly. Don't mumble. 
• Avoid filler words (um, er, like, you know). 
• Use short sentences and active verbs. 
• Use pauses for emphasis not as blank spaces. 
• Be as specific as possible. "Play hard" isn't as good as "close the double block" or "get to your coverage." 
• Become a storyteller. 

Freshmen and sophomores can lead. "Let's go. We got this." 

In 2004, North Shore League power Lynnfield came in with an All-Scholastic middle to face Melrose at the Daffinee Gym. In the first set, junior middle Paula Sen blocked her four consecutive attacks. The match was effectively over as she took her out of the game. 

Lagniappe. "Leave no doubt."