With softball being a team sport, it relies on collective efforts from the group to achieve a common goal. A great way to help build this connection is by implementing servant leadership into your team dynamic. Servant leadership is a leadership style where leaders look to serve followers instead of followers serving leaders. Servant leadership can be practiced by players or coaches. Still, the end goal for both is the same, whether that’s winning a tournament or beating a rival team.

Travel team coaches are an easy example of servant leadership. Many travel team coaches are parents with a player on the team, which means they probably aren’t getting paid or getting any physical benefits from coaching. They serve their players with their time and effort. When teaching servant leadership to a team, I urge coaches to use themselves as examples to show players the selflessness it takes to be servant leaders.

Players can practice servant leadership by serving their teammates. For example, servant leaders will always be the first people to show up to help set up practice and some of the last to leave after. A servant leader may stay after practice to help one of their teammates take extra reps. Servant leaders dedicate their time and efforts to helping followers attain a common goal. This leadership style takes on responsibility, accountability, sacrifice, and compassion.

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