Leadership Advice From The Captain Guru: Sam Walker
When stepping into a leadership role, ask yourself, “how much can I sacrifice and how much do I care?”
That advice was from the author of The Captain Class: The Hidden Force that Creates the World’s Greatest Teams. Sam Walker imparted his wisdom to a young, eager group of underclassmen Syracuse University students in the sport management class of Rick Burton, David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics Endowed professor and author. He told the class that leadership is actually quite simple. But not easy.
“Leadership is a set of behaviours and choices,” Walker explained.
In the leadership context, Walker suggested that there will always be a right and a wrong decision. But usually, the right decision takes most of your time, commitment and energy.
And that is where the great leaders rise above the rest of the pack. Walker found that elite captains and leaders sacrificed more than their teammates and they cared deeply about the team’s success. Walker stressed the idea that to these leaders the overall team was more important than anyone individual team member. A leader understands what they give to the team, not just individual members, will lead to success.
Sam Walker’s book delves into the world of captains of sports dynasties. And they aren’t the leaders that you would typically think. The Captain Class provides a new theory of leadership and turns the pristine image of a leader on its head. These elite captains are not the most well-spoken, media-friendly polished athlete. They are gritty, aggressive players who typically shy away from the spotlight. These leaders “do the thankless jobs in the shadows.”
These captains showcase the values of being focused, relentless, committed teammates, reflecting the behaviours and values of Leaders of Evolution. Walker’s captains played supporting roles to allow their team to reach the pinnacle of success.
In the hybrid conference call with students in the physical classroom and on Zoom, Burton, a member of the Leaders of Evolution Advisory Board team, knowingly asked a question that pointed to one of Walker’s most powerful findings.
“Are captains born or made?”
Walker referred to the notion that leadership is simply a series of behaviours and choices. Those behaviours and choices make a leader. Walker said that while his Captain Class members were elite professional athletes and obviously had talent and natural ability, their behaviours set them apart.
We all have expectations and ideas of how great leaders should act. Walker said people often look at a leader and think there must be something exceptional about that person, that they must be so talented, making them a ‘natural-born leader.’ And he suggested maybe we idolize leaders because otherwise, we would have to come to terms with the conundrum that if a normal person can lead so successfully, why isn’t everyone a leader?
And that’s where Walker’s theory comes back into play. We can all be leaders with our behaviour and choices. It takes intentional development that can be advanced through training, courses, mentorship and self-reflection. But we might not be willing to make that sacrifice and commitment to ourselves and our team.
“It’s about standing behind, submitting yourself to the team to make sure it gets what it needs. You must be putting in constant work, constantly communicating intensely with team members to find the issues and then find the solutions.”
Sam Walker
But Walker warned leadership isn’t about doing all the work by yourself. Leadership is about putting those around you in positions to be successful so they can provide support and assistance to their best abilities.
“No one can do everything. There doesn’t need to be a big distinction between the leader and everyone else.”
Walker showed the class how this principle was being put into practise. As Walker has studied how elite captains lead a team, he says he is now studying all the different ways people can contribute to a team. He is currently working with the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams on how everyone can make a leadership contribution. He said of course there is a captain, but the captain can’t be everything the team needs. There’s someone who can be the humour, the pacesetter, the sheriff.
To learn more about intentionally developing as a leader and overall team contributor, click here to visit Emerging Leaders in Sport page.
Our News. Your Inbox.
FREE, Instant, Access to Leadership Tools
(Valued at $189.00)
Connect With Us
Our Most Popular Courses
About Us
Leaders of Evolution are passionate about education. We expertly design and deliver technology enhanced e-learning courses focused on leadership, social and emotional learning, career readiness and sports coaching for students, teachers, athletes, coaches and the wider community.
It’s actually a great and helpful piece of info.
I am satisfied that you simply shared this helpful info with us.
Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
Hi there! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers?
I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any recommendations?
It’s not my first time to pay a visit this web page, i am visiting this web page dailly and obtain good data from here
every day.
Also visit my page … Rollex11 Slot
My family members always say that I am wasting my time here at net, however I know I
am getting familiarity all the time by reading such fastidious articles.
Here is my web-site – Ice House Portable AC Review
Hello! I could have sworn I?ve visited this blog before but
after looking at a few of the posts I realized it?s new to me.
Nonetheless, I?m definitely pleased I came across it and I?ll be bookmarking it and checking back frequently!
Here is my web site Slimingo
Hey! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where
I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m
having trouble finding one? Thanks a lot!
Magnificent goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff
previous to and you’re just too great. I really like what you’ve acquired here,
certainly like what you are stating and the way in which you say it.
You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it sensible.
I can not wait to read much more from you. This is actually a
wonderful web site.
My web-site … http://www.comptine.biz
When someone writes an article he/she retains the image of a user in his/her brain that how a user
can understand it. Thus that’s why this piece of writing is perfect.
Thanks!
I rarely drop comments, however after browsing a
few of the remarks on Leadership Advice From The Captain Guru: Sam Walker | Leaders of Evolution. I actually do have 2 questions for you if it’s allright.
Could it be just me or does it give the impression like a few of these comments look like they are written by brain dead people?
😛 And, if you are writing at additional sites, I’d like to follow anything new you have to post.
Could you list of all of your social networking sites like your twitter feed, Facebook page or
linkedin profile?
Feel free to visit my web page Dynamic Flex Nitric Boost Review
Your method of describing the whole thing in this paragraph is genuinely good, every one can effortlessly understand it, Thanks a
lot.
Here is my webpage … http://www.hotelforrest.ru/modules.php?name=Your_Account&op=userinfo&username=GartenSelena
Great goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely excellent.
I actually like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you
are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take
care of to keep it wise. I cant wait to read much more from you.
This is really a tremendous site.
Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google,
and found that it is truly informative. I?m gonna watch out for brussels.
I?ll appreciate if you continue this in future.
Lots of people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
my web-site … Green Leaf Hills CBD Review
This website definitely has all the information and
facts I wanted about this subject and didn?t know who to ask.
Here is my page – SoloVolt Solar Charger
Thanks designed for sharing such a nice thinking, piece of writing is nice, thats why i have read it completely
Review my blog – New Flow XL Reviews
I’d been honored to get a call from a friend as he discovered
the important suggestions shared on the site. Browsing your blog posting is a real fantastic experience.
Thank you for taking into account readers like me, and
I hope for you the best of achievements as a professional in this area.
Have a look at my webpage New Flow XL Pills
Simply want to say your article is as surprising. The clarity in your put up is
simply cool and that i can assume you are knowledgeable in this subject.
Well together with your permission allow me to grasp your
RSS feed to stay updated with imminent post. Thank you a million and please keep up the rewarding work.
Here is my web blog; Keto Lite
Have you ever considered publishing an e-book or guest authoring on other websites?
I have a blog centered on the same topics you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would
value your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an email.
Visit my homepage – http://www.craksracing.com/
I am just commenting to let you be aware of of the amazing discovery my wife’s princess obtained checking your web page.
She discovered a wide variety of details, with the inclusion of what
it’s like to possess a marvelous helping nature
to get many others really easily comprehend specified tricky subject matter.
You really exceeded our desires. I appreciate you for giving such priceless,
trusted, explanatory as well as easy tips about that topic
to Janet.
my blog … Bodycor Keto Review
For hottest news you have to visit world wide web and on world-wide-web I found this web site as a finest site for newest updates.
Review my website :: Green Leaf Hills
I wanted to check up and let you know how much I cherished discovering your web
site today. I’d personally consider it the honor to do things at my place
of work and be able to operate on the tips provided on your site and also participate in visitors’ responses like
this. Should a position associated with guest article writer become available at your end, remember to let me know.
Here is my web blog – dumankayahifit.com
I genuinely enjoy reading through on this web site, it holds superb posts.
Feel free to surf to my page … Leaf Max CBD Reviews
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is needed to get setup?
I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
I’m not very web savvy so I’m not 100% certain. Any recommendations or advice would be
greatly appreciated. Cheers
Here is my page :: Keto Lite Keto
Piece of writing writing is also a excitement, if you know
afterward you can write or else it is difficult to
write.
Stop by my page; http://forum.nobletronics.com
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer
for your blog. You have some really good articles and I think I would be a good asset.
If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love to write some content
for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please blast me an email
if interested. Cheers!
Look at my webpage … Slimingo Keto Reviews
I all the time used to read post in news papers but now as
I am a user of web so from now I am using net for content, thanks to web.
Also visit my blog post – game online epicwin
Some really choice posts on this internet site, saved to fav.
Have a look at my site … New Flow XL
Wow! This could be one particular of the most useful blogs We have ever
arrive across on this subject. Basically
Fantastic. I’m also a specialist in this topic so I can understand your effort.
Also visit my webpage; http://duna-anapa.net.ru/
Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this website.
It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s hard to get that
“perfect balance” between user friendliness and appearance.
I must say you have done a amazing job with this.
Also, the blog loads extremely fast for me on Firefox.
Outstanding Blog!
Have a look at my webpage :: greatwall99apk
I your writing style truly enjoying this site.
my blog post: Xtreme Shred Keto
Keep up the great piece of work, I read few content on this website
and I conceive that your site is real interesting and
has got circles of superb information.
Here is my blog Slimingo Keto
I believe you have mentioned some very interesting details, appreciate it for the post.
Have a look at my blog post: Blaine
naturally like your website but you have to test the spelling
on quite a few of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I to find it very bothersome to tell the truth on the other hand I’ll
surely come again again.
Here is my blog post :: cara main game xe88
I read this post completely on the topic of the difference of most
recent and preceding technologies, it’s awesome article.
Feel free to visit my blog post; online roulette singapore
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article.
I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info.
Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely comeback.
my web-site: New Flow XL Male Enhancement
I do not even understand how I ended up right here, but I assumed this post was good.
I don’t know who you might be however certainly you are going to a well-known blogger if you are not already.
Cheers!
I think you have remarked some very interesting points, thanks for the post.
Also visit my site Slimingo Pills
You are a very intelligent person!
My site kannikar.com
Fantastic post however I was wondering if you
could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very thankful
if you could elaborate a little bit further.
Kudos!
I every time spent my half an hour to read this web site’s
articles or reviews daily along with a mug of coffee.
Thanks for this post, I am a big fan of this internet site would like to go along updated.
my blog :: anapapansion.ru