Leadership

The three most important characteristics that a leader must have in the 21^st century is being able to coach individuals, show respect, and most importantly have patience. I believe that a leader must truly know how to coach/teach individuals in the 21^st century because of how diverse society has become. This will require potentially going over basic concepts with employees in ways that are understandable to them. Also, properly understanding what methods work with what employees. I feel respect is a key characteristic for a leader to have in the 21^st century because of how easily people can be offended. It’s important that leaders understand what is culturally, socially, religiously and personally needed or expected when showing respect. Finally, I believe that patience is the main aspect that a leader needs in the 21^st century because of the continuous changes occurring within society. Leaders need patients more than ever when dealing with employees because society has created a system more in favor of employees and less for the owners as well as leaders in concerns to behavioral actions. Firing/replacing employees isn’t as easy or acceptable as it once was, which means patience will be required.

   

Playing basketball has given me a great understanding to an important element of leadership, which is having the ability to coach. Understanding the role that coaching plays for leaders is right up my alley, as I’ve witnessed coaching, been on the receiving end of coaching and coached others myself. Coaching has a huge effect on a leader’s ability to lead because it consists of observing, advising, motivating and being strategic. These are all traits that leaders must have to properly lead their team/organization. To coach someone is to motivate that individual to perform in a way greater than what they’re currently showing or to maintain the great level of performance that they’re displaying. Coaching also entails strategy, which means that sometimes encouraging someone to commit to a certain role may be for the betterment of the team/organization. 

There’s been so many times in basketball where I had to step up and be a leader. A time I can remember is when a team I was playing on was up against an opposing team that was undefeated. There’s only so much a coach can do to rally the team because he/she isn’t on the court as a player. This was a time where the coach couldn’t say anything, it had to come from the players. I rallied my team together and told them that the individuals on the other team put their shorts on one leg at a time just like us and they can be beat if we truly believe we can beat them. The game was tight the whole way through. During the course of the game, I noticed a mismatch on the court with one of our players and one of theirs. I keyed in on it and began to expose the situation, which gave us the advantage. Our goal as a team was to keep the game close until the fourth, then steal it from them in the end. I told my team as we were up by two with five minutes left, that we were going to win this game. I went out on the court and scored the next two offensive possessions, putting our team up by six with three minutes remaining. The look in my teammates eyes, was one of determination as we proceeded to finish the game on top, effectively beating the other team. Within this moment of leadership, I displayed the ability to be strategic, motivate and most importantly lead by example through my actions on the floor.