Going Outside Your Comfort Zone

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   It's always interesting coming into a team for the first time in a brand new season. Usually, the foreigners (me!) are the last players signed, and thus, also the last to arrive for training camp.

  The other girls on the team have been practicing together for a few weeks. The dynamics are already set: who the leaders are, who the quiet ones are, who works the hardest, and unfortunately, who the slackers are (every team has em!).

Our gym this season!

  Your job is to try to learn the make-up of the team as quickly as you can, and then integrate yourself within your new team.

  This season, it's becoming quite clear to me that this team is going to put me outside of my comfort zone on a regular basis.

  Three weeks ago, when I walked into practice for the first time, the thing that struck me most was how QUIET everyone was; both on the court and off.

  My initial thought was that my new teammates were just nervous to speak English to me. But after getting to know everyone a little bit, they're just a quiet group of girls. Period. Add me, a shy, quiet girl myself, and we're have the makings of a very long, interesting season.

A busy day on the North Sea and its beach!

  There's one thing I do realize though: for a team to be successful, there has to be a leader. I've been on enough teams, and played enough basketball to know that there has never been a successful team that didn't have a vocal leader.

  When I have been in leadership positions prior to this season, I have always chosen to lead by example. I'll work hard, and if you're with me, you'll follow suit. If not, I'm not going to try to drag you along.

  So I can either stay in my comfort zone, lead by example, and HOPE that another, more-vocal leader emerges (and when one doesn't, most likely suffer through a long, unsuccessful season). Or, I can push myself and be the vocal, 'rah-rah' type of leader that my team needs.

  Now I'm no dummy. I want to have fun, and I want to win. So I will do whatever I think is necessary to make that happen. And if that means I have to expend more energy rallying the troops and being a cheer leader, so be it. At least then, when the season's all said and done, I'll know I did everything I could to make this season a good one.

Looking onto the boardwalk.

  I also look at it as another opportunity to learn. How to motivate people. Different leadership styles. What is the best method to get the most people to respond in a positive way?

  I think having positive energy and leading by example are the two key aspects of leadership.

  The positive energy keeps everyone 'up' and involved. The higher your energy, the higher everyone else's energy will be throughout practice and the game. That's showing enthusiasm, constantly talking, giving out high-fives, etc. Being a leader can be exhausting!

Me in my first week in Dunkerque!

  Leading by example, to me, is a no-brainer. There has to be someone willing to show the team how hard you have to work and how to carry yourself. Otherwise, your team will probably end up at the bottom of the standings, and that's where no one wants to be!

  Even with those two things, there's nothing like an encouraging word to a teammate (or sometimes a kick in the butt) to pick them back up. That's the third attribute of a successful leader -- being vocal. And it's one thing that has never come naturally to me. I'm going to give it a shot, and see where it takes me!

  Leading vocally doesn't always mean saying, 'good job'. When is getting a little mad more appropriate, and more meaningful? A good leader has to find the balance between positive and negative reinforcement. Everyone responds differently, so therefore you can't treat everyone the same.

A beautiful sunset over the North Sea.

  Another aspect of leadership is knowing when your team might need a little more togetherness: a team dinner, a team meeting, going to the movies, playing laser tag, etc. Call it what you want, but I call it team bonding.

  I think if you can somehow combine positive energy, leading by example, and being vocal, you WILL inspire your teammates, and your chances of having a successful season become all the more likely.  And who knows, you might just inspire more leaders to emerge, making your job that much easier!

  My team opens up our season tomorrow (Saturday,

Go Buffs

the 17th in Paris), I'll let you know how it goes!

  Have a great weekend!





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