The AS&K Sports MSD

The 10 Mental Skills: LEADERSHIP

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INTERPRETING THE LEADERSHIP SCORE ON THE MSA

One may notice that when an athlete is a strong leader, other players seek the opinion and support of that athlete. The leader influences others by words and action and not by physical ability, strength, size, or authority.

WHAT CAN INFLUENCE THE LEADERSHIP SCORE?

Open to Feedback, Goal Setting, and Goal Implementation are critical for successful Leadership.

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TIPS FOR ATHLETES

Do you have a strong Leadership skill? Is your Leadership MSA score high or low? In what situations is the score high and in what situations is it low? What are your Leadership BITEs? Are they different in different situations?

Not all athletes wish to be team leaders. Decide whether or not you wish to serve as a team leader. You can build your Leadership mental skills without having to serve as a leader in any official capacity.

1. Leaders are role models. Role-models are those athletes whom others respect and admire. Leaders may or may not be the most skilled athletes. Effective leaders have high scores on most, if not all, of the mental skills consistently across situations.
2. Leaders have strong mental skills and encourage the same in others. Their encouragement and “positive attitude” has an emotional impact on their teammates. Leaders speak to their teammates about their athletic and mental skills and help other athletes develop both.

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TIPS FOR COACHES

Which athlete(s) had high scores on Leadership in the MSA? Did these athletes score well on most mental skills, especially Goal Setting, Goal Implementation, and Open to Feedback?

1. Select as your team leaders or team captain the athlete or athletes who score well on most or all of the MSA mental skills. Select your team leaders or team captain based upon whether their teammates do or will respond to him/her as a role model.
2. Recognize that different athletes may act as leaders in different situations. The athlete who is the leader in a game or following a setback may not be a leader during practice or in off-the-field situation. Ideally your team captain and formal leaders act as leaders in all or most situations.

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TIPS FOR PARENTS

Does your athlete have strong Leadership skills? Is his or her Leadership MSA score high or low? In what situations is the score high and in what situations is it low? Identify where Leadership scores are high and low. The more situations in which your athlete scores well the more she/he is a leader.

1. If your athlete is in a leadership role, especially help them develop Goal Setting, Goal Implementation, and Open to Feedback skills. Leaders set and implement team goals and hold others accountable for achieving them by providing constructive feedback.
2. Consider your own leadership skills as a parent. Are you a role-model for the mental skills? Are you strong in Goal Setting, Goal Implementation, and Open to Feedback? Do you exhibit these mental skills? Do you encourage and develop them in your athlete(ren) by providing constructive feedback on the mental skills?