The Captain Quandary- To have or not to have
The captain quandary: I have asked over 100 coaches how they view leadership development in their program. I ask if they appoint a captain(s), have a leadership counsil, something other than those two or none of the above.
Needless to say I have spent a lot of time talking and thinking about this topic.
Before I dive in: Each leader is different. Each program is different. Each university is different. I do not think there is one way to navigate leadership in your program.
With that being said...here is my argument against naming captains.
Leaders lead.
A title doesn't make a leader.
Nor does not having a title preclude someone who is a leader from actually leading.
When you name a captain, several things can happen:
1. You nail it
The person(s) you named is a really good leader and a perfect fit for your program.
2. You miss
The person(s) you named is not a good leader. There are many ways this shows up. If you miss, you now have a problem on your hands.
Factions form when you name a poor leader. We know from experience that if there is a lack of leadership, someone will usually step up and fill that void. When someone fills that void who is not the official captain, egos, and insecurities come to the surface, and battle lines are drawn. Hello drama.
3. You stifle
This is actually best best-case scenario if you miss. The person that is stifled, is often an underclassman or someone who doesn't play much, who is actually a leader. No matter how often you say "everyone can be a leader in their own way", the fact that they are not a captain prevents them from flourishing.
The reason I say this is best case scenario - see the second point I make, the 'You Miss' point. If they just feel stifled, drama can be avoided. If they feel stifled and decide to step into the leadership void, again, you have drama.
4. You (Unknowingly) Apply Pressure
Performing as an athlete, regardless of level (High school or college), is difficult. There seems to be pressures everywhere you look. Parents put pressure on kids. Social media puts pressure on kids. Add to that the responsibility of also leading your teammates, and it can be too much for many athletes.
I have found that when a coach publicly names a captain, this adds another layer of stress.
5. You Lose-And So Does the Captain
When you name a captain and they are not cut out for leadership, you lose credibility and influence. You also put the athlete in a tough position. It is unfair to the athlete who is named captain but is not up to the task. That is not on them, that is on the leader.
Upside vs. Downside
The upside to naming captains is minimal. If you get the right person in that role, the chances that they were going to lead, with or without the title, is very high.
The downside is huge. As mentioned, there is almost sure to be drama and division.
Peter Principle
Something very similar yet with nuanced differences in the business world is the Peter Principle. The Peter Principle is not referring to naming captains but elevating people to roles that they are not equipped or cut out for.
The Peter Principle is where people get promoted to an area of incompetence.
Example
A salesperson gets kills it in sales. Month after month, he/she is your best salesperson
Then gets promoted to sales manager. Kills it there too.
Then gets promoted to vice president. Fails.
Just because someone is your best individual contributor/player and has been around for some time (i.e. a junior or senior) doesn't mean they are automatically ready for a leadership position.
What I See Working Well
I have seen the following work well for several coaches.
Coach talks to the whole team about leadership. They spend time talking about leadership, what it means to be a leader, how to best win influence, etc.
This same coach also pays attention to who has the most sway or influence in their program. Unofficially, they spend extra time with this person or persons.
They don't have a public ceremony in which they name this person captain. But they do encourage them to step into leadership situations, help coach them on best methods and give ideas how to problem solve.
One of the best philosophies I have heard from a coach is to not name captains, but simply teach their athletes to be a good friend and teammate.
For example- Let's say a coach has a rule that no hats are to be worn in the cafeteria. One day, as the team is eating lunch, one of the athletes has his hat on. Instead of one of his/her teammates trying to hold that person 'accountable' by saying "hey, take your hat off or you'll have hell to pay!" they simply say "you do know that if coach walks in here right now, you and most likely all of us, will be disciplined. You might want to take off your hat."
That is a good teammate and friend.
PS. I have asked several teams (roughly 75 athletes in all) this question, "What prevents you from taking a leadership role?" The number one answer (and there is not a close second) is something to this effect... "I worry about being judged or people getting mad at me."
CLICK here to order my book The Leadership Greenhouse
------
One of my weekly disciplines is scouring the internet for articles/tweets I can learn from and/or use with those I work with. Below are two that I hope help encourage and equip you.
Article 1- The dumber side of smart people
Article 2- Preventing mediocrity
Podcast: Blake Arbogast. East Texas Women's Basketball. One of the best young coaches around.
Three Ways I Can Help:
1 on 1's - A powerful solution to combat the isolation and loneliness that often accompanies leadership. Leading with excellence can be an uphill battle, but you don't have to face it alone. My 1-on-1 coaching is designed to be your trusted thought partner, offering thought-provoking, perspective-enhancing questions that ignite fresh insights and clarity. Together, we will delve into the depths of your leadership role, helping you gain a profound understanding of yourself and your program. Our personalized approach ensures that each session is tailored to meet your specific needs and goals.
Here is a testimony from a 1 on 1 client: "Travis has helped me become a better leader. Travis has helped me organize my thoughts and has given me so much clarity on how to lead on a day to day basis. There is no doubt that he is the biggest asset to my leadership and has reenergized my coaching style." Jeff Duncan, Head Baseball Coach, Kent State
Training Day - During this transformative experience, I will guide you through the essential principles that lay the foundation for an elite environment in your program. Our approach is entirely interactive, ensuring an engaging and dynamic learning journey for all participants.
The Tribe - What are your pain points? What do you need to do to become a better leader? To create a better environment? Join a group of like-minded coaches who get together (via Zoom) every 2nd and 4th Monday to discuss and work through principles and frameworks to help you become a better leader.