Profiles In Leadership - Taking The Right Steps

that point in my youth. I didn't fully understand what Coach Mac meant or how it connected to my future. However, I do remember turning to him and saying, “But Coach, nobody is following me; how can I be a leader?” Coach Mac continued to inspire with his words, paraphrased here: “ Many are called to leadership, but not all use their leadership gifts for good. You must choose what kind of leader you want to become. Some leaders guide people to victory; others lead them to defeat .” He concluded with another powerful statement that I wrote down as soon as I returned to the locker room: “Choose what kind of leader you want to become and pay attention to those who follow you. If you lead well, you will impact the lives of thousands. ” That conversation left me feeling like a deer in the headlights. However, that day, I began my leadership journey at the young age of thirteen. Little did I know that my journey would bring me back to Coach Mac’s words time and time again, throughout my journey as a leader. I’ve had the privilege and honor of leading thousands of athletes through sports coaching over the past thirty-two years and empowering executives and aspiring leaders for the past twenty-five. Leadership does not have shortcuts; it is a destination you arrive at overtime. It’s a journey, often challenging but deeply rewarding, demanding patience, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to growth, humility, and integrity. Too frequently, we are tempted to look for shortcuts—quick fixes, easy wins, or the illusion of expertise gained without effort. Yet, a commitment to authentic leadership doesn’t allow for

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