I was just reviewing Chapter 5 of Jeff Janssen’s The Team Captain’s Leadership Manual. It deals with the topic of character and how to conduct yourself with class.
You often hear people say “Do the right thing” and in this chapter you find out how your team counts on you to do the right thing (even when it may not be the most popular thing to do!)
Janssen breaks doing the right thing down into four areas where your example will show your commitment to your team and university:
1) In your sport
a. Play aggressively but not dirty
b. Respect officials
c. Obey the rules of the game, conference and association
d. Watch your language
e. Be a gracious winner and loser
2) In the classroom
a. Apply yourself
b. Attend all your classes
c. Take good notes
d. Maybe it is not straight A’s but always “Do your best!”
3) In your social life
a. It is important to relax to relieve pressure
b. Everything in moderation
c. Balance your priorities (social life should not rank first!)
d. Be a leader by example – be responsible!
e. Speak up when your teammates might be straying into unsafe behaviors
f. Conduct yourself with class and expect the same from your teammates!
4) In the community
a. All of our teams give back – help drive community service on your team
b. Giving back to the community is a “win-win” for all involved!
Take some time this week and think about your character. Are you leading by example? Are you a vocal leader when you need to be?
Remember – nobody is perfect, always try to do the right thing.
The last line of the chapter on page 68 – “Represent yourself, your family, your team and your school with pride and class and you will win the respect of many.”
Helen Keller once said - Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
Thanks for taking the time to read through this and I hope you get a chance to lead by example!
Dave Gerrity
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