Being a leader can appear to be very complicated at times ¦  especially with all those different personalities to deal with and always being the person accountable for everything.  So, lets see if we cant simplify being the leader for you.

Your team is a œmirror image of you.  I didnt say they are the same as you, although sometimes they might be.  They are absolutely a reflection of you and what you bring to the party on a daily basis.  I dont mean just the good stuff, i.e., your values, words of wisdom, etc.  I mean everything.  Your œstuff”, your foibles, your reactions to things“especially your reactions to things.

Knowing what I just said as information will not make any difference.  Taking action using this awareness can make a profound difference especially when it comes to simplifying your job and your life.

The first action you will want to take when your team is not clicking on all cylinders is to look in the mirror and ask that person what he has contributed to what is going on.  There is no blame here; in fact, it is evidence for how powerful your impact can be on your team.

It also means you cannot be sloppy in your communications.  You must limit how often you are reactive. (You dont HAVE to do anything.  I just thought though you were committed to excellence) Effective action is proactive.  It is caused.  Reaction is no action at all.  It is predictable because it is always the same, therefore a limitation.

Every human being has blind spots, hot buttons and behaviors that are repeated without success.  It doesnt matter how intelligent you are.  œNo one can outsmart being human You can quote me.

The more you know about yourself, the less attention you have to give yourself.   If you are running around trying to prove you have life figured out and therefore you are okay, let me save you the trouble.  You are okay.  In fact, given the circumstances of your life, you are perfect.  And, you have areas in your life where you are ineffective or in need of growth and development.

What have you done lately to promote your growth and development?  You are always telling your players how important it is to learn.  You need to learn at twice the rate they do and you need to be learning from them.

The moment anyone stops learning they begin to die.  I mean that literally.  It may take a long time but youre dieing minute by minute.

Remember the œmirror image.  Everything you tell your players is important you need to be a demonstration of that.  You need to bring every quality, value and principle; you are telling them is essential, to the party every day.

You want them to relate well to each other; build your relationship with them first.  Ask them what they think about everything ¦ especially, about what you are asking from them.  You know you ask them for a lot or have you forgotten that.  I hope you are not thinking they OWE you that.  When you ask, LISTEN.  Get their point of view.  After all, you are the coach.  There is nothing for you to prove.

Gather your information.  Give your team a chance to participate.  It is their team.  You are not going to play a minute or score a point.  You always want them to take responsibility.  Let them.  What they want is a chance to play the game with you, not for you, and they want you to LEAD.  Great leadership takes responsibility for everything. The biggest part of that is holding others to account.  You are in charge.  That is your role.

There is much more I could say about relationships.  I promise to address the topic in more depth in the future.  Just be sure you are being the person you are asking them to be.