Posted: April 24th, 2025

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Post from Kevin Davis:

I would have to agree that leadership is influence. For someone to lead you must have followers. Those who follow a leader have a desire to do whatever the person needs them to do. Anyone can be put in charge of a group or detail but it does not make them a leader. A leader has an ability to influence people to do things, sometimes things they do not necessarily want to do, just because the leader asked them. Influential people have a tendency to be able to persuade others to believe in what they are talking about and the purpose behind it. “An individual’s understanding of leadership may contribute both to the goals that are established and to the strategies adopted to achieve these goals.” (Ruben & Gigliotti, 2016) It does not always

mean a positive message is being conveyed but because they are influential people follow. The person in charge may not necessarily be a leader, the selection may be due to seniority or some other reason. Early in my military career we were taught the chain of command. Following orders from those who had more rank than you was the standard. There were people who we wanted to listen to and those we had to listen to because of protocol. The leaders we wanted to go above and beyond and the others we did the minimum to keep ourselves out of trouble. The goal was to make our leaders look good because we knew they cared about us and not just about the mission.

Looking back at the examples of those leaders helped me once I moved into a position of authority. Which methods of influence did those leaders use that were most effective? Did I possess those attributes?  The leaders I encountered used character, relationships, knowledge, intuition, experience, past success, and ability to lead. Each leader had their own strengths and were able to utilize their weaknesses as well. Taking their attributes and those of people I had to follow I was able to conduct a self assessment of my strengths and weaknesses to form my leadership style.

I want to say that I was a good leader but that is not for me to decide. The strengths I capitalized on in my position of authority to be seen as a leader were character, knowledge, experience, and past success. Character is one of the most important things in my opinion about being a leader. Followers need to know that their leader is moral and ethical, follows through on what they say, genuinely cares, and will take responsibility for their actions. I tell the truth and do what is right. It is hard to follow someone who you do not believe in, that is when I utilize the knowledge. A leader has to be credible in their field and know what they are doing and be able to explain the direction they want their followers to take. Having an unrealistic vision because they were not knowledgeable of the capabilities necessary to accomplish their mission is not an endearing trait. The experience of being in the shoes of your followers and having success shows that it can be done and you know what you are doing. It also shows that the leader has the ability to do what they are asking those in their charge. The leader is not asking them to do anything that they have not done themselves. Those are my strongest leadership qualities that I use the best and most frequently. Relationships are the area I could better utilize as a leader. I do know the right people to contact when I need to get something done for my people. I just do not use it as often as I should because I want them to seek out the solution/personnel themselves to build up their experiences and build on their successes. Relying on my intuition is the other area that I can optimize better. When I meet people I tend to give them the benefit of the doubt meaning you are alright until you prove me wrong. Some do give me the feeling that they will not fit, that peaks my interest in finding out why and seeking the best possible solution to keep them. The issue is I did not always have as much time as I would have liked to focus on those individuals, 

Leadership is influence and as a leader all that you do is being scrutinized so I think on Matthew 5:16 that says “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (KIng James Bible, 1769/2017)

References

King James Bible. (2017), Cambridge University Press. (Original work published 1769)

Ruben, B. D., & Gigliotti, R. A. (2016). Leadership as Social Influence. 
Journal of

Leadership & Organizational Studies., 
23(4), 467–479.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1548051816641876

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https://doi.org/10.1177/1548051816641876

Post from Timothy Edwards:

Life experiences shape you into the person you are, I agree that leadership is influenced. These experiences provide opportunities for personal growth though challenges and obstacles that can be overcome, granting you control over situations and experiences that may affect your life. Individuals with strong internal locus of control believe that their actions and decisions have a direct impact on the outcome of events in their lives. They feel a sense of agency and control over their circumstances and are more likely to take initiative and put in effort to achieve their goals (Batzon & Zion 2023).  What I have learned is although life is not always fair depending on demographics it can be unfair at times; it is important to recognize that the value you get out of it is directly proportional to the effort you put into it. Great accomplishments require hard work and dedication, and nothing worthwhile comes easily. To achieve a fulfilling life, one must be willing to put in more effort than others. The quality of your life will depend on the amount of effort you put into it. It is crucial to replace good deeds for bad ones, eliminating negativity and focusing on growth.

With the participation of sports, it has helped me shape my personality and gain relationships molding me into the person I have become. John 13:34-35, Jesus said to His disciples: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (
New International Version, 2011).  My experience of playing sports and interactions with coaches and teammates along the way gave me an outlook on what I wanted for my life. The community of people that were constant part of my life were able to give me a vision to sustain what I felt like what I wanted for myself. To address the escalating social and emotional pressures encountered by young individuals today, it is essential to offer them purposeful developmental programs. Sport settings have long been acknowledged as valuable platforms for counteracting negative influences on vulnerable youth. By incorporating sport into youth development initiatives, meaningful experiences can be created that foster significant personal and social growth among vulnerable youth. These sport-based programs encourage active engagement in both skill development and a range of issue-focused activities. Specifically, sport-based youth development programs for vulnerable youth promote emotional, cognitive, and social skill development, provide opportunities for social inclusion, and enhance resilient characteristics such as social competence, autonomy, optimism, and hope (Oh, 2024).  As an athlete from a large family, I’ve learned to juggle multiple roles while pursuing excellence. From being a diligent student and teammate to becoming a responsible son, employee, and husband, my life has been defined by perseverance and dedication. Overcoming obstacles and reaching the finish line has been a constant theme in my life. I was taught that once you commit to something, you must see it through to the end, no matter the cost. This has helped me develop a strong work ethic and determination to achieve my goals.

Through my involvement in youth sports, I discovered a passion for creating engaging environments that foster personal growth. This motivated me to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education and obtain a master’s degree in Sports Management. Over the past 20 years, I have dedicated myself to youth coaching and education, logging countless hours in the process. Coaching sports throughout the year has a twofold impact, it enables me to pursue my coaching goals while simultaneously influencing me in diverse ways. As a youth coach, teaching is a constant, as is refining communication and problem-solving skills. By fostering a connection with the children, the learning curve is shortened, and their emotional and athletic growth potential is expanded. What I have learned is perspective is an invaluable coaching byproduct. Sports require diverse skill sets and viewpoints, and as a coach I try to consider player roles, goals, and age when approaching them as individual athletes. By engaging with the local youth and community, I have fostered basketball skill development and imparted life lessons that transcend the game’s outcome, creating a positive impact that extends beyond the court. With this success I have been able to establish my AAU Basketball program as a competitive youth program that kids take pride in. By creating a positive and supportive environment it has been crucial to my coaching philosophy and cultivating a passion for basketball among young athletes. As a coach, I emphasize the values of good sportsmanship, respect for opponents, and teamwork to create a productive and encouraging atmosphere that mitigates the pressure often associated with youth sports. As a seasoned coach and former youth athlete, I recognize that young people’s sports are just one aspect of their lives. Prioritizing character growth, enjoyment of the journey, and development is my main objective rather than just focusing on winning. By keeping a balanced viewpoint, we can make sure that the fun of playing the game isn’t overshadowed by the pressure to win. At our athletic program, we strive to provide an environment that fosters holistic development and excellence. Our goal is to deliver a competitive athletic experience that focuses on the physical, mental, ethical, and social growth of athletes. We are committed to providing exceptional coaching, top-notch facilities, academic support, and unmatched customer service. We aim to help young men reach their full potential and excel in their educational pursuits through guidance, motivation, and support programs. Our philosophy of excellence is at the core of everything we do, and our coaches embody this belief.

 
References

Batzon, N., & Zion, M. (2023). From external to internal locus of control – identifying attitudes among adults and teens to foster environmental responsibility towards the trash in the public domain. 
Environmental Education Research, 
30(5), 720–736.

Oh, D. (2024). Creating Sport Settings for Positive Development of Socially Vulnerable Youth. 
Strategies, 
37(3), 10–15.

New International Version. (2011). BibleGateway.com.