Distributed Leadership

PJ Fleck said, "Bad teams, no one leads. Average teams, coaches lead. But elite teams, players lead."

The best teams are player-led.
• They hold everyone accountable.
• They lead by example.
• They own the process. pic.twitter.com/FC88UN9fY3

— Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness (@coachajkings) November 20, 2024

Leadership isn't a part-time responsibility. Own leadership at home, in school, and extracurricular activities. Without a team, there is no leadership. 

• Model excellence. 
• Be consistent. Show up every day. 
• Achievement in the classroom matters. Focus in school resonates to focus in athletic performance. 
• Engage teammates with your leadership during workouts, practice, and games. 
• Workout with a teammate to raise both of your games. Urban Meyer talks about 10-80-10 percent performance distribution. Drag an 80 percenter into the top 10 percent with you. 

Study leaders across multiple domains. Here are a few books that share leadership concepts. 

• Legacy by James Kerr
• Leadership in Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin
• The Leadership Moment by Michael Useem 

Excerpt from Legacy summary:

The All Blacks employ several methodologies to build and sustain this mental fortitude. One fundamental strategy is the cultivation of a positive mindset. They emphasize the importance of focusing on what can be controlled, rather than being bogged down by external variables. This philosophy empowers players to concentrate on their own effort and execution, fostering a sense of agency and reducing feelings of helplessness when faced with challenging situations. Resilience, another crucial element, is ingrained in the team’s culture through deliberate practice and preparation. The All Blacks engage in scenarios that simulate high-pressure conditions, allowing players to experience and adapt to stress in a controlled environment. This practice not only builds confidence but also familiarizes players with the emotional and psychological landscape of competitive pressure, making it less daunting during actual games. The All Blacks also prioritize psychological strength by incorporating techniques such as mindfulness and visualization into their training regimen. Mindfulness practices help players stay present, reducing anxiety related to past failures or future uncertainties. Visualization, on the other hand, enables players to mentally rehearse successful outcomes and strategize for potential adversities, thereby enhancing their readiness and response during high-stakes moments.

From the Useem review...it's not just the coach whose leadership matters.