Reply to "Qualities of a Team Leader"

Anybody who puts the team's interests ahead of his own, who takes joy in his teammate's successes, who exhorts his teammates in a constructive manner, who contributes to the team's mood and chemistry, or who sets a positive example of disciplined preparation or intelligent, aggressive execution is showing qualities of leadership.

When I look at my son's team, which is having an unexpectedly good year, it's hard to find anyone who isn't a leader. Among them:

--The senior who must have doubted his school choice freshman year when the team didn't even win 20% of its games but is now playing on a team with a .650 winning percentage and who radiates joy at the opportunity finally to be on a winning team and makes everyone feel happy to be there. That's leadership.

--The junior who batted .300 his freshman and sophomore years but struggled to get over the Mendoza line the first half of this season, but who kept focused, continued to play good defense, kept his approach, didn't get desperate or down on himself, and finally got hot and had tons of big hits in the stretch drive. Persistence through disappointment. That's leadership.

--The undersized redshirt freshman who finally worked his way into the line up in the middle of the season and gets the most out of every at bat and seems to hit a grounder through the 3-4 hole every time we need a two-out hit. Playing within yourself. That's leadership.

--A player who began the year in the mix for a spot in the lineup but who now gets only one start a week in a midweek non-conference game. Despite his disappointment over his role, he handles the ball boy duties for home games with astonishing zeal, sprinting out to chase down loose balls and deliver fresh ones to the plate umpire. Doing a small job as if it's the most important job. That's leadership.

--All the players on the rail encouraging the players on the field and generally being into the game and sharing their observations with each other. At my son's previous school, players were required to be on the rail and not sit in the dugout, with only a few exceptions like for the pitcher of record. At this school, there is no such rule. The last few years, most of the guys watched from the bench. This year, they are on their feet and engaged--because they want to and because they care about the guys who are on the field wearing the same uniform. That's leadership.

--The players helping with field maintenance. This school does not have a paid grounds crew. The last few years, the field duties took longer than they should because guys would stand around waiting to be told what to do and hoping someone else would do the heavy lifting or dirty work. This year, players move a little more quickly and show more initiative doing what's needed instead of waiting for someone else to do it or for someone to tell them to do it. That's leadership.

--The three-year starting position player who lost his spot this year but found a new role as a middle reliever mostly in nonconference games and has helped a depleted pitching staff by eating some valuable innings. Instead of ending his career moping on the bench, he carved a new niche. That's leadership.

--The player who was hurt last year but is back this year and who is always the most alert and opportunistic player on the field. Doesn't have particularly good speed, but he's always a base ahead of where he's expected to be. Being a student of the game and applying the knowledge to gain every possible edge. That's leadership.

--The pitcher who has blown a few saves but doesn't let his personal disappointment show in his body language and keeps battling as long as he's in the game to make the best of the situation he created for himself. Several times, the team has re-claimed the lead and won those blown games, and the attitude of the guy who kept focused in the midst of a bad outing contributed. That's leadership.

I could go down the entire roster and find something positive about how just about every one is putting the team first--and having more fun and more success than they would if they were worrying about their own role or recognition. Leaders put the team first, and it shows up in many forms.