Stepping Up to the Plate
Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge, gave a nod to the importance of chemistry and leadership in the making of a great ball club. The teams disappointing first half he attributes in part to a lack of leadership in the clubhouse.
Anthony Castrovince at MLB.com reports: "What's happened is we've gotten to the point [as an organization] where the younger players are the ones who have to step up [and assume leadership responsibilities]," Wedge said. "I don't think anybody's really taken hold of that. Last year we had guys like [Kevin] Millwood and [Scott] Elarton, veteran guys who were more vocal."
Wedge reflects, "It's tough for young people to get in front of their peers and put themselves out there like that.” Disturbingly he adds,
“In the game in general, there's not too many leadership personalities out there. That's the generation we're in." His observations are a reflection of a more general concern we find in society at large. Why don’t more people feel the need to step up to the plate?
Comments
Too many people, I think, equate leadership with political or C-level icons--and that, sorry to say, keeps them away. Some of the most inspiring and effective leaders I've met have never spent a second in the public view. They lead their teams, companies, communities, families in ways that are deeply significant to those around them, but we won't see them on the news. Let's shine the spotlight on some of those people--maybe that'll inspire others to step up as well.
Posted by: Steve Farber | July 18, 2006 01:46 PM
Steve:
You are absolutely right. “Everyday” leadership is often overlooked and it actually makes the most impact on people’s lives. Sometimes this impact is not seen until further down the road and so it is dismissed.
Also, I appreciate you pointing me to your site. ( http://www.stevefarber.com/ ) I enjoyed going through it.
Posted by: Michael McKinney | July 18, 2006 02:37 PM