Leadership - The Heart of a Champion

BY COACH CHRIS BROWN

The most potent tool that leaders have in their toolbox is themselves because an organization or team can only rise to the same level as its leader. This is not new information, but it is essential to remember that at the end of the day, the person in charge makes the final decision, and it’s what he does that sets the atmosphere and standard for everyone else to follow.

As a leader, we have to understand that if we want the people we lead to achieve something, we must first become it. Zig Ziglar sums it up brilliantly - “Life is an echo. What you send out comes back. What you sow, you reap. What you give, you get. What you see in others exists in you.”

Now, this doesn’t mean there aren’t several factors that determine whether a team is successful or not. However, it does mean that if we want to unleash the team’s full potential, our number one priority as a leader must be our own development. To intentionally prepare our own hearts and become the example that our team needs in order to expose the gold within. Why the heart? Because everything we do flows from it (Proverbs 23:7).

In sports, there are certain traits that lead to someone becoming a Champion.

The first is Courage. Muhammad Ali said, “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” The challenge with Courage is that it cannot be faked. But what makes being courageous so powerful is that Courage means Heart Strength. This implies that the more you choose it, the stronger you become.

As Franklin D. Roosevelt stated, “Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.” So, the first question a leader must ask themselves is what will drive them through the fear and help them come out on the other side?

The next trait is Honor. Honor is the highest form of respect. What is critical to understand about honor is that what you honor and respect and love will eventually flow toward you. Another way to assess what you are honoring is what you accept or tolerate. No leader intentionally wants to attract average performers, but often the example they set, especially in building relationships, is average.

Too many leaders struggle to get certain people to buy into their vision. However, as the leader, they have never taken the time to get to know the person or make them feel seen or essential. Another common issue in teams and organizations is the leader demanding accountability from others but not taking responsibility for their actions.

But the most detrimental attribute is watching leader after leader spend much of their time gossiping about others, which leads to low unity and trust. As leaders, we need to understand that what we say about other people says more about us than them, and what we respect, love or tolerate will determine the trajectory of what we produce in our lives.

Another important trait that leads to someone becoming a Champion is understanding that what they consume, they will eventually come to believe. So, they are careful with what they listen to, watch, or read. They are careful who they allow around themselves and whom they let speak into their situation and life.

They understand that if they are to go where they haven’t been before, they are going to need help. However, the help must come from the right people, those who want them to win and can help them see further and focus on what is most important.

In conclusion, the most critical success factor in unlocking the Gold within a team is the leader’s heart. This is why it must always be the number one development priority.

About the author:

Chris is a Breakthrough Coach, Team Building Expert, Keynote Speaker, and Award-Winning Olympic Rugby Coach. He has made a career of getting leaders and athletes unstuck to help unleash their potential.

Chris has a gift for turning everyday underdogs into overachievers. His mindset and development techniques are renowned for helping the underrated get unbelievable results on and off the sports field. Get to know more about Chris at coachchrisbrown.com or @christopher_Charles_Brown via Instagram.