Show and Tell

The Melrose volleyball program has become a perennial powerhouse, willing to go anywhere and play anyone. One word explains the transformation to exceptionalism: leadership.

"Show me what you can do; don't tell me what you can do." - John Wooden

Teams follow their leadership. Leadership has so many facets that one cannot simply summarize it. Albert Schweitzer tried, "example is leadership".

Leadership flows from a creative process. It transforms. It endures. It innovates. It inspires loyalty and it attracts followers.

Leadership isn't autocratic. Shared authority creates more authority. And an unwillingness to share both ideas and authority ultimately causes diminished authority, lack of confidence, and performance decline.

Abraham Lincoln surrounded himself with a cabinet of opponents showing not only his confidence but willingness to have his ideas challenged. Despite a migration of top generals to the Confederacy, the Union prevailed.

Leaders may not always achieve lofty goals, but they set them and put the process in place to make them possible.

Leaders don't shower themselves with praise; the community recognizes leadership, distinguishes leaders from managers, and praises the difference.

It's just forty days until the competition for spots on Melrose volleyball starts. We can't wait.