Success and Leadership Go Hand in Hand

The thing is, you don’t have to be a CEO, superstar, manager, or even in charge of anyone to be a leader. Being a leader is available to anyone and everyone and within any job or relationship.

When I look back at my Major League Baseball career, a few guys come to mind that were excellent leaders – Davey Lopes, Los Angeles Dodgers, Alvin Davis, Seattle Mariners, Andre Thornton, Cleveland Indians. They were not among the most vocal players or seekers of the limelight. Though outstanding players, they were probably not the players that outsiders thought of as the team leaders. And yet, on the inside, they were the most respected leaders on the team. When they did speak, we listened and followed. How did they do it?

First, leadership is another of those concepts like winning. They are not mandatory for a purposeful life and happiness, but it feels better to be one. What’s important to know is people will follow those who display the habits and character traits they respect, whether they have the top positions or not. Many great coaches and players were never on championship teams, yet their leadership brought admiration.

Legendary coach Amos Alonzo Stagg answered whether a team was his best one. He responded, “I won’t know for 20 years or so.” Stagg recognized that success depended on how players’ lives would end years after their time together. His answer shows he was a winner and leader whether he won on the field or not, though I suspect he won many championships with his legendary status a hundred years later.

Success and Leadership Bond  

Successful leadership is about building and developing mutual trust. You must show people they can count on you through the daily challenges. That is the start of earning respect – displaying the attitude and actions which do not automatically come based on one’s position or title. The attitude must be one of honesty - saying one thing and doing another is the quickest way to lose or never gain respect. Leadership’s actions begin with effort – giving an honest day’s work every day, not just when feeling like it. Once those are established, successful leadership has a chance.

Other valuable signs of leadership

1.     Keeping the focus on others - making things about your ego is another way to lose respect.

2.     Displaying enthusiasm – showing you are happy to be there and with those around you is critical.

3.     Having the ability to listen and say the right thing at the right time – it’s not how vocal one is; it’s the words that come out. Less is often more. 

4.     Showing respect for everyone – selective regard for those you only like will turn everyone off.

5.     Showing humility and dignity - leaders handle success and adversity with class by maintaining their cool and staying on an even keel through good and bad times.

Finally, communication is the art of a great leader – it’s a two-way road, not a one-way highway.

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