TKO:The Kevin Opinion:Captains: To Lead or Not to Lead?

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KEVIN KONG
Sports Editor

Leadership has always been an abstract idea. People find themselves struggling to define it. More frequently, people wonder about its role in success. Similar to those in professional leagues, high school teams often designate one or a few players as the captain of their sport.

Many argue about the purpose of what seems to be a figurehead title, but it appears as though captains can be determining factors in a group’s journey.

An ideal captain plays the role of a coach’s assistant. They must be knowledgeable of their sport, as any other player must be. However, what separates a captain from any other player is their ability to inspire their team. They are the ones that should be at the forefront of any huddle to encourage their team to give their best effort. They are the ones that should be giving pep talks when the players feel defeated or too tired to continue. But most importantly, they are the ones to hold their players accountable.

Captains have a responsibility to be able to read a team’s performance and carefully approach players. They should neither scold nor pamper the team. As with any leadership role, these commanders must be able to both compliment and criticize others without being perceived as a pushover or a nitpicker. These defining aspects lay out the proper role of a captain. Executed perfectly, a captain can push their team to success, if not in the win column of a scorecard, in the amount of effort established.

However, what appears to be a timeless role may not be addressed in every team. Some groups find they benefit without the presence of a set captain. It’s worth noting that team chemistry plays a role in determining if a dominant leader is necessary. If a team openly agrees that they can interact with each other well enough that they can each motivate one another and hold each other responsible for the overall performance, then that is unique to them.

Whichever adapts to the team, captain or no captain, is perfectly acceptable. However, a team’s success and failures cannot be attributed to one person. It’s each player’s task to find their way to work together in crunch time. Only then can the team find their unique dynamic.