Leadership: A Team Sport

1. Leadership: A Team Sport Presented by: Jason A. Chapman ’03 March 26, 2007

2. What is a team? • A team is defined by Meriam-Webster as :a number of persons associated together in work or activity: a group on one side (as in football or a debate) • For this presentation we will be using this definition: a small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals, and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable.

3. Definitions of Leadership • Leadership is the ability to facilitate action and guide change • Leadership is the process by which a person influences others or directs an organization • Leadership is inspiring others to know, to do, or to be.

4. Quality Leadership is a team sport • Successful leaders realize they can’t do it alone. • They create a shared vision • Teamwork can only be sustained when leaders promote mutual reliance. • Successful leaders act as a coach • They enable others to act • They realize there will be bumps in the road, but a team can overcome those obstacles

5. You Can’t Do It Alone! • Even those at the top of their game know that they can not do everything themselves • Where would Michael Jordan be if he didn’t have Scottie Pippen, B.J. Armstrong, Will Perdue, Bill Cartwright, Steve Kerr, and Phil Jackson? • Leadership is everyone’s business • In today’s fast-paced world, it is almost impossible to get everything done by yourself. • As full-time students, this is especially important • Do not try be a Survivor

6. Creating a Shared Vision • Jack the Lazy Mule • Dreams do not become a reality through the action of a single person • The team must be involved in creating the vision • Shared Visions give work a purpose • A shared vision must be taught to the entire team • Leaders invest time and energy to engage all members

7. Creating a Shared Vision • The best example of a shared vision is the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team!

8. A Leader is a Good Coach • Leaders actively seek out ways to increase choice, providing greater decision-making authority and responsibility. • They develop the capabilities of their team and foster self-confidence through the faith they demonstrate in letting other people lead. • Leaders help others learn how to use their skills and talents, as well as learn from their experiences.

9. Putting Together the Right Team • We all have weaknesses, which is why we need each other • To address weaknesses, a good leader builds on strength • A good team is one which offsets each other’s weaknesses • A good leader puts together the right team, and then let’s the play!

10. Enabling Others to Act • There will be no lone star, only a clump of stars shining a bright light • Leaders make it possible for others to do great work! • Leaders create a climate of trust • They create a sense of mutual dependence • Great leaders foster accountability • They make people feel strong, capable, and committed. • Leaders develop confidence in others

11. Winning It All! • If each player executes his or her assignment, we will win! • A true leader doesn’t just talk team, but truly believes it’s the team’s energy and ideas that make things happen.

12. The Heart of the Game • “The secret to success in life is staying in love.” • It’s hard to imagine leaders putting in the long hours and hard work without having their hearts in it. • The best kept secret of successful leaders is staying in love: in love with leading, the people who do the work, with what their organizations produce, etc. • Leadership is NOT an affair of the head. It is an affair of the heart!