There have been many admirable sports leaders with worthwhile qualities to emulate. Here are a few qualities every leader should have.
Goal-driven
Good leaders set challenging, but achievable goals and inspire others to bring their vision to life. Before NBA Finals MVP Giannis Antetekounmpo led his team to a championship, he recalls when Kobe Bryant set a lofty goal for him to meet: winning MVP. Through hard work and a calculated game plan for success, Giannis fulfilled his mission and became one of the best players in the league.
Unselfish
In team-based sports, you’re not only responsible for your individual success. You’re part of a team that shares the same goal of winning. Therefore, if your personal accolades have to suffer for the sake of your team, you should be willing to act in the team’s best interest. Good leaders know when to defer to their teammates.
Constructive
Good leaders build up their teammates and elevate their teammates’ games. Not all players who are talented as individual performers have this skill. Houston Texans owner and businessman Javier Loya of OTC Global Holdings once said, “Sometimes, the most valuable players are not the ones who set yardage records. There are some players who you want in your locker room regardless of their skills on the field because they make everyone around them better.”
Self-awareness
In the Art of War, Sun Tzu wrote, “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” This may be a treatise for battlefield generals, but the principle still applies in sports. Knowing your own abilities and your teammates’ capabilities will help you achieve your maximum potential for teamwork. Javier Loya also said, “I try to know as many of our organizations’ members as possible. This way, I know exactly whose skills I can call on when I need help.”
