Leadership: The Foundations
Introducing the L.E.A.D. Model for Leaders in Sport
We use the L.E.A.D. Model to describe the vital elements of leaders, work through understanding your AthleteDISC Profile, and apply this knowledge to leading yourself and others effectively.
The people side of sport is about your ability to understand and manage your own thoughts and behaviors, together with your ability to understand the behavior and needs of others in your team. It is knowing how to influence and interact with people more effectively. This is a game changer in sport and is what the Leading the Leaders Program is all about.
Leadership is more essential than ever, yet often in short supply. Coaches and educators alike recognize the importance of developing leaders who contribute positively to society. This program is designed to help you grow into a leader who acts with integrity and prioritizes the greater good.
Leadership is a skill that can be learned. It’s not something you’re simply born with but a set of behaviors developed through effort, experience, and guidance. Even natural leaders have areas they excel in and others where they fall short—this is normal. Leadership involves much more than the stereotypical traits we often think of, and this program focuses on building a complete understanding of leadership styles and behaviors.
Your growth as a leader depends entirely on the effort you invest in developing your skills. Becoming the leader you aspire to be is within your control.
“My experiences as an athlete, and the leadership lessons I learned from sport, have shaped the person I am today.” – Bo Hanson
Watch the video below for an introduction to the Leading the Leaders program:
Leading The Leaders Handbook
Use this workbook as you work through the next four modules on this platform, and keep it handy as a useful reference.
WHAT IS LEADERSHIP?
Leadership can be defined and explained in countless ways, with models and books attempting to capture its complexity. But let’s keep it practical and straightforward. While simple doesn’t mean easy—leadership is rarely easy—it can be broken down into its core essence: leadership is about attracting followers.
Followers are drawn to leaders through various behaviors and leadership styles. Developing these behaviors is key to becoming an effective leader.
Leaders can attract followers by:
Leadership involves using different styles to attract and inspire followers. These styles are shaped by the leader’s natural preferences, the needs of their followers, and the specific situations they encounter. While most leaders have a style that feels most natural to them, effective leadership requires learning to adapt to what the moment calls for.
In this program, we use the L.E.A.D. Model to help you explore your preferred leadership style and develop the ability to adapt it. This model emphasizes the importance of understanding yourself (Self-Mastery) as the foundation for leading others effectively. Through your AthleteDISC Profile, you’ll gain insights into your natural leadership tendencies and how to use them to meet the needs of your team and situation.
Watch the video below to understand more about leadership.
ACTIVITY: YOUR DEFINITION OF LEADERSHIP
Refer to pages 4-5 for this activity. Watch the video below for more information.
- Based on your experiences, how would you define Leadership? Share your definition with others (your coach and peers) and note how you are similar and different.
- What are your similarities to others?
- What are your differences to others?
Watch the activity instructions below.
A LEADER IN YOUR LIFE
Watch the interview simulation below.
ACTIVITY: A LEADER IN YOUR LIFE
Refer to page 6-7 for this activity.
Every aspiring leader needs a role model, even if they’re not perfect. Leadership isn’t about striving for perfection but about leveraging your strengths to support others while acknowledging and addressing your limitations to ensure they don’t hinder your team or goals.
- Think of a leader from your life. This could be a parent, coach, teacher, corporate leader or someone from your college administration.Write their name in your workbook.
- What is it about this person which makes them a leader to you?
- How does this person make you feel about yourself?
- Describe three behaviors of this person which demonstrates they are a leader.
- Take a moment to discuss your answers with this leader. Where does this conversation go:
WHAT TYPE OF LEADER DO YOU WANT TO BE?
Watch the activity instructions below.
ACTIVITY: WHAT TYPE OF LEADER DO YOU WANT TO BE?
Refer to pages 8-9 for this activity.
Leadership is built from a combination of learned behaviors that shape who you are as a leader. Leaders are often more visible and held to higher standards, making it a demanding role that extends beyond the “field” to your overall impact.
This program provides a unique opportunity to intentionally design the type of leader you aspire to be. Reflect on and answer these questions, then share your thoughts with your coach or mentor for deeper discussion and insights.
- How do you want your team members to feel when you lead them?
- What do you want your team members to say about you as their leader?
- What three words would you use to describe the impact you want to have as a leader?
- What legacy (after this season) do you want to leave on your team’s culture?
INTRODUCING L.E.A.D
The L.E.A.D. Model is a simple yet powerful framework for effective leadership. It focuses on four key areas
Lead Yourself
The foundation of leadership is self-mastery. Develop strong self-awareness to know how to be consistently at your best.
Engage Others
Building relationships with diverse people is fundamental to leadership effectiveness.
Attributes of Leaders
‘Leadership is, as leadership does.’ Focus on the behaviors of leaders – what they do and how they act.
Direction and Action
Set your vision and goals. Most importantly, take ownership, drive accountability, and stay on track.
Watch the video below for an introduction to the L.E.A.D Model.
