January/February 2019 - 16

6 QUALITIES OF
THE WORLD'S BEST
CAPTAINS
By Jeff Janssen, contributing writer
Being privileged to work with tens of thousands of
the very best captains at our comprehensive Leadership
Academies across the world, we get a very special, indepth
view into what makes them tick and what makes
them so successful.
Based on more than 30,000 in-depth 360-degree
evaluations of captains from their coaches and teammates
worldwide, we've discovered six critical qualities where
coaches and athletes say the best leaders excel and
ultimately differentiate themselves from the rest of the
team. Not only can you use these six qualities to help
your captains become better leaders, but you can also
proactively use them when considering and ultimately
selecting your team leaders who can do the very best job
for you and your team.
Here are the six critical qualities of the best captains.
1
The hardest workers. The best leaders are typically
your team's hardest workers. They invest fully
in whatever they do whether it's practice, weights,
conditioning, video, community service and competitions.
They know that their success as an individual and their
credibility as a leader depends on earning it day after day
with their exemplary work ethic.
You can't help but admire a person and leader who
brings a high level each and every day. Leaders choose
to operate at the committed and compelled level on the
commitment continuum, which garners the respect of
their teammates and coaches and encourages everyone
to give their best effort.
16 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019
Be sure your captains are one of your team's hardest
workers. If they aren't, they probably won't have the full
respect of your players and will surely dilute your team's
work ethic and culture if you pick them as captains.
2
.Encourage teammates. The best leaders bring out
.the best in their teammates. Instead of being all
about themselves, their stats and individual success, they
consciously connect with their teammates to help take
them to a higher level. They encourage their teammates
to work hard, build their confidence and battle through
difficult challenges. They create a positive vibe around
your team because they look to build on strengths rather
than harping on weaknesses. As former Louisville men's
basketball coach Rick Pitino said, they look to " inflate
people rather than deflate people. "
Be sure your captains are team players and connected
with their teammates. If they aren't, the team will not
respond well to their leadership.
3
.Honest and trustworthy. Your best leaders keep it
.real. They are honest with coaches and teammates and
earn their deep sense of trust. Because being trustworthy
is one of the most important traits of a leader, the best
captains work hard to earn and maintain their followers'
trust and respect. They honor and follow through with
their commitments so they are the most responsible and
reliable people on the team. Teammates and coaches
comfortably confide sensitive thoughts and feelings with
them because they keep things private and confidential.
They serve as true allies and advocates for the team.
January/February 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January/February 2019
