Quote by Larry Bird
Leadership is getting players to believe in you. If you tell a teammate you're ready to play as tough as you're able to, you'd better go out there and do it. Players will see right through a phony. And they can tell when you're not giving it all you've got. Leadership is diving for a loose ball, getting the crowd involved, getting other players involved. It's being able to take it as well as dish it out. That's the only way you're going to get respect from the players.
Summary
In this quote, the essence of leadership is highlighted as the ability to inspire and gain the trust of others. True leadership involves making authentic commitments and following through on them. If you claim to be ready to give your best effort, you must demonstrate this on the field. Faking it or holding back won't go unnoticed by your teammates. Leadership also involves taking risks, getting the whole team engaged, and maintaining a balance between aggression and fairness. By exemplifying these qualities, a leader earns the respect and trust of their players.
Topics
Leadership
By Larry Bird