Today it seems like everyone’s got something to say about how to lead, who are the best leaders and exactly what is the right type of leadership.
There are numerous programs online and in universities that are being offered on leadership. Too much to mention.
Where is leadership in professional sport going? That’s the question we all want answers to.
Wayne Goldsmith asked, “But where did our current thinking on leadership come from? How did leadership in professional sport evolve?"
I've been following a lot of Goldsmith who is an international sports coaching expert. He has influenced the coaching, thinking and teaching of some of the world’s leading athletes, coaches and teams.
In the old days, there were no leadership teams or player groups or team representative groups or senior player groups. In the old days, you spelt leadership C.O.A.C.H. The head coach made the decisions, took responsibility for them and that’s where leadership began and ended in professional sporting teams. Then along came the concept of captaincy and team leadership became shared – to some degree – between coach and captain, Goldsmith says.
Over time, the philosophy of leadership in professional sporting teams evolved into the current, popular model of leadership teams.
The leadership team has played an important role in professional sport providing players, the opportunity to be more engaged with preparation and performance and to have some real input into the standards, values and practices of the team.
According to Goldsmith, we now face a new leadership challenge in sport – it is the era of coaching by collaboration. It is the time where everyone associated with the team – players, coaches, staff and management – everyone – must take full responsibility for every aspect of their own preparation and performance.
Many of our athletes who've been fortunate to train, play or compete abroad for long periods would have a clearer picture of this model. So too our coaches and administrators who've done the job outside and are now able to use this approach in their homeland. What is critical is that they allow their fellow countrymen to experience these systems on home soil if it is they aren't fortunate enough to travel outside.
Ask yourself, “What’s the long term – what’s the ultimate in leadership in professional sporting teams? Where is all this heading?”
It’s referred to as "leading by not leading". It is the era where each player has to learn to lead themselves – to train, prepare and compete to their full potential by consistently taking full responsibility and accountability for their own standards, behaviours and performance – on and off-field.
It is time for everyone involved in the team or the organisation to ensure that everything they do: on-field training, off-field training (e.g. gym), social situations, recovery, nutrition, time management, values, sponsor commitments, public appearances and media management is as professional as their actual performance on the field.
Goldsmith’s book “Leading without leading” may sound like a simple concept but it is extremely liberating and powerful. By slowly and professionally stripping away the misconceptions and falsehood that has been communicated through popular leadership books, Wayne brings us back to the truth…anybody can lead.
With information being so readily and mostly freely available, the only true advantage a leader has is himself.
There is a popular saying: "All of us are born unique, yet only some of us die that way” and this is true especially in leadership. Leading out of your uniqueness is true leadership.
Goldsmith goes on to say, “I came to realise that leadership isn’t about doing a leadership training course or watching a leadership guru talk about their “secret” method for developing leaders….it’s about being comfortable with who you are and then subtly inspiring change in others through authentic and genuine relationships and connections.
It hit me that what I was actually seeing in the best leaders weren’t really “Leaders” in the traditional sense – it was people accepting and valuing who they are – and feeling comfortable leading others through direct, personal, emotional connection. It’s not about being a great public speaker. It’s not about having the letters MBA after your name. And it’s certainly not being “Born” a leader.
The new leadership is not an act or a speech or a lecture or a Board report. It’s not a title or an award or a qualification. It’s not a program, procedures, a policy or a product. It’s you and what you do every day. It’s who you are and the way you live your life.
The new leadership is not conforming to a leadership style or system or program. It’s not going to a course and learning how to be like some other “leader” – it’s about embracing your uniqueness, unleashing your own potential and being who you are, embracing what others are and directing them the right way for the best possible outcome.
Can you imagine a land with more leaders like these? Think about it.
Shaun Fuentes is the head of TTFA Media. He is a former FIFA Media Officer at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey The views expressed are solely his and not a representation of any organisation. shaunfuentes@yahoo.com