They may take our lives . . . BUT THEY’LL NEVER TAKE OUR FREEDOM!!!
Most of the time when we think of verbal leadership, we think of Hollywood speeches with the hero inspiring countless individuals to follow him into battle like the movies Braveheart, Gladiator, or 300.
We also might think of Tim Tebow giving the “Promise” speech and then backing it up on the way to a national championship.
We may not be Michael Jordan, Tim Tebow, Kobe Bryant, or William Wallace in Braveheart, but we all can be verbal leaders.
In fact, as long as we have a tongue, we should be verbal leaders.
Let me say that again for the people in the back…
Not only can we all be verbal leaders but we all should be verbal leaders.
A myth exists that a verbal leader is someone that is a rah-rah type. Another myth exists that it’s okay just to lead by example and not be a verbal leader.
This is simply not true. If you are able to talk then you’re able to be a verbal leader.
Every player on a team has an obligation to be a verbal leader. Not in the traditional sense of saying something and the whole team responds in unison. Those leaders do exist but they are more the exception rather than the rule.
Here are 3 ways anyone can be a verbal leader.
1.) ENCOURAGE
Everyone likes to hear encouraging words. All of us are capable of saying something positive and productive. This could be in the form of reminding them of something like “Next Play”, or some kind of positive trigger word or phrase that your team uses.
You can refocus your teammate with an encouraging word. You can provide energy and inspire the team. Your encouraging words can be in private or public. Both are useful. but when you do it publicly, other players may catch on. Enthusiasm is contagious.
It doesn’t matter your age, status, or talent level, you can encourage other team members.
2.) INFORM
Anytime you pass on valuable information, you are being a verbal leader.
This might be letting base runners know the situation in baseball or softball. It might be reminding each other of how many outs there are and that they are running on anything.
It could be football players relaying the play in a huddle. It might be letting your teammates know that the coach just changed up the schedule and you will be meeting in the weight room first before practice, instead of the locker room.
Anyone can pass on accurate information in an appropriate manner.
During a game or practice, you might yell “help-side” or “watch the linebacker” or “shooter in the corner”. Any productive information can be positive for your team and help your teammates.
3.) REMIND
Holding teammates accountable can be intimidating. Most athletes shy away from this for good reason.
Instead of thinking of it in terms of holding teammates accountable, being the policeman, or calling out a teammate; think of it as reminding them of what’s important.
Remind each other of your goals and the team’s standards. Remind each other that “this is NOT how we do things here” or better yet, “this IS how we do things here.” Positive reminders can sometimes work even better.
Remind each other in non-threatening ways that don’t embarrass them.
Verbal leadership. No rah-rah speeches needed. Just encouraging, informing, and reminding your friends.