"Becoming a Person of Influence"

*Inspired by John Maxwell's Becoming a Person of Influence

The best players, coaches, and administrators succeed by making those around them better.

Decades ago I saw a young man who struggled at a crossroads in life. He hated his job and his wife left him. He said that he wanted to act. I asked whether he had experience and he said that he had done some commercials and dinner theatre. I asked, "what's stopping you?" He said, "my friends say I'm not good enough." I responded, "get new friends." He moved to California to follow his dream. 

Maxwell argues that influence, not control, arises at the intersection of integrity, empathy, and mentorship. Integrity means doing the right things not because they are easy but right. Empathy helps you understand how someone else is feeling, putting yourself in their shoes.

Maxwell suggests four elements to influencing:

• Modeling
• Motivating
• Mentoring
• Multiplying 

Modeling. Provide a template, an example for others to follow. Be the hardest worker, the best teammate, the best communicator. With the graduation of Maggie Turner, others must raise their "com" game. 

Motivating. The greatest motivation comes from within. Coach Nick Saban would say, "How good do you want to be?" Sometimes the greatest motivation comes from telling a player whom they can become, before they're actually that player. Multiple MVB players, veterans and young, have high ceilings. Translate potential into performance. 

Mentoring. The Romans had a term anteambulo, meaning walking the path in front of a patron. They "cleared space" for them. A coach asked why I promoted Cecilia Kay so much. She's now a top player as a freshman in the Patriot League. "She never cheats the drill. She never takes a play off." After he coached her for a few days, he said, "best prospect to ever come out of Melrose." Telling a player, "I believe in you," has immense power. 

Multiplying. "Leaders make leaders." Players have a responsibility to teach and empower the players around them. Become a mentor to younger players, energize teammates, and encourage always. Some players are "force multipliers" with broad impact on those around them. 

Lagniappe. Ultimately, your rotation depends on your coach's plan. Simplicity matters.

 

Lagniappe 2. "It's not what you're capable of; it's what you're willing to do." Be hungry and be humble. 

Many are capable, few are COMMITTED.

Mike Tomlin nailed it.

It’s not about what you’re capable of - it’s about what you’re willing to do.

Many people have talent. Commitment and excellence are rare.

Commit. Show up. Stack the days. pic.twitter.com/Nsft3a17Uh

— Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness (@coachajkings) February 15, 2025