| Growing up in the suburbs of Detroit, sports were a | | | | and idols we can all look up to, no matter what your |
| huge part of my life as a child, and continue to be | | | | age. With the growth and success the major sports |
| today. Back in those days, the only Detroit sports team | | | | leagues have seen in the last decade, the importance |
| that could actually be considered competitive was the | | | | of the leadership of our role models has increased. |
| Detroit Red Wings. Throughout the mid-late 90s and | | | | Unfortunately, there are plenty of poor role models in |
| early 2000s the Red Wings dominated the National | | | | the sports world, evidence that being a role model |
| Hockey League and won back-to-back Stanley Cups | | | | doesn't necessarily mean you are a leader. But, I |
| in 1997-98, and another in 2002. As a young kid looking | | | | suppose that's what makes the good role models and |
| for a hero, there was always one person that stood | | | | true leaders that much more special. |
| out above every other professional athlete, Steve | | | | Leadership Shows Itself in Winning |
| Yzerman. Whether playing street hockey with my | | | | Sports allow us to see intangible attributes in the form |
| friends after school or ice hockey in the winter when | | | | of success or failure. What you see during games is |
| the lake froze, I always wanted to be like Steve | | | | the result of hours and hours of practice and hard |
| Yzerman. | | | | work. Workouts, film study, and practice all combine to |
| The Captain | | | | form the products we see on the courts, ice, and fields. |
| Referred to as "The Captain," Yzerman played 22 | | | | The best teams are often made up of the most |
| seasons in the NHL and won three Stanley Cups with | | | | talented individuals. But, more importantly, the best |
| the Red Wings. Yzerman was named Captain at the | | | | teams also have the best leaders. Perhaps the most |
| age of 21. When he retired in 2006 at the age of 41, | | | | difficult attribute to see is leadership. Leadership by |
| Yzerman went into the history books as the | | | | nature is intangible but is implicit in winning. Leadership in |
| longest-serving captain of any team in sports history. | | | | sports takes the shape of good chemistry between |
| Steve Yzerman was an idol to the entire state of | | | | teammates, coaches, and staff. The relationships built |
| Michigan, not only for his incredible talent, but for his | | | | between members of a winning team have the power |
| incredible leadership and selfless attitude. | | | | of leadership built into them. Winning teams, |
| On several occasions Yzerman played injured | | | | organizations, and companies are all able to be |
| because he wanted to help the team win. Yzerman | | | | successful because they have quality leadership. |
| pointed to himself first when the team wasn't | | | | We can take a lot from watching a sports team over |
| performing as well as they could. Yzerman was a | | | | the course of a game, and even more over the |
| quiet, lead-by-example type of leader. When he spoke, | | | | course of a season. It's fascinating to see how true |
| people listened. One of his leadership skills was to | | | | leaders can impact the outcome of a game. We've |
| know exactly when to speak up to his team, and | | | | seen it many times, the leader of a team steps up |
| know exactly what to say. He was the ultimate leader, | | | | when the team needed it most. Sometimes we call |
| captain, and professional. For these reasons, Detroit | | | | this being "clutch." Whatever you call it, a part of that |
| and the state of Michigan embraced Yzerman as their | | | | success comes from the leadership ability of that |
| leader. | | | | individual. Leaders want the ball, want to make |
| Role Models in Sports | | | | something happen, and want to win. Leadership, |
| Along with Yzerman, there are plenty of sports figures | | | | combined with talent and many other factors, ultimately |
| that have become heroes and idols to us. Sports have | | | | leads to victory. No matter what type of team you're |
| long provided us all with great entertainment, | | | | talking about, sports, business, non-profit, or volunteer, if |
| exhilaration, and fond memories. Perhaps more | | | | you combine good people with good leadership, you |
| importantly, the arena of sport provides us with heroes | | | | have the winning combination. |