Developing Leadership

To become a better leader is not as difficult as you might think.

We all know qualities of good leadership: confident, courageous, dedicated, enthusiastic, honest, inspiring, patient, prepared, reliable, respectful, supportive, and many others. As varsity rowers, positive leadership is constantly reinforced because it will impact the success of the team and of Niskayuna Rowing.

Leadership, then, is as simple as making decisions. That's it. There's no need to complicate it further; the good leader makes good decisions, and the bad leader, bad decisions. Therefore, to become a better leader you need to become more aware of the decisions you make.

As rowers, you are making decisions all the time (leaders in the making). How hard are you going to pull on the oar? Will you give up for a stroke? Will you give up after a power 10? Will you distract during warm up? Will you stop drinking soda and eating candy? Will you get enough rest? Will you get your homework done and stay on top of school work? (And our goal) Will you do what it takes to make your boat go faster?

You have all made these and other choices at some point. In a race, you are making choices almost every second: do I look? do I pull? do I have ratio? do I reach? do I listen? do I sprint? Leaders are needed in rowing. In fact, the best boats will be full of leaders. Not loud-mouthed rowers stepping on each other's toes and yelling over each other's ideas, but individuals who understand good decision-making.

Rowers: first, make decisions; second, make good decisions. The confident person chooses confidence. The courageous, courage. And the dedicated, dedication. Leadership is in your control.