Leadership isn’t confined to titles or positions. It’s about influence. Whether you’re the youngest on the team or the most experienced, you have the power to lead through your actions and attitude. Leadership is about how you make others feel—do they leave interactions with you feeling stronger and more energized, or do they feel drained and discouraged?

1. Leaders are consistent

Being consistent is the first step. Show up every day ready to give your best effort. Attitude and effort are contagious. If you walk onto the court with a positive mindset, ready to give your all, others will follow. But if you’re complaining about drills or grumbling about lineups, that negativity spreads too. Leaders don’t complain. They find value in every situation and push through, even when it’s tough.

2. Leaders support their teammates

Supporting your teammates is the next step. Leadership isn’t about being the best player on the team. It’s about lifting others up. Celebrate their successes, both big and small. When someone is struggling, offer your support. Build a culture where everyone feels valued, where every victory is shared, and where challenges are met together.

3. Leaders take ownership

Finally, take ownership. This is your team, and leadership means taking responsibility for its success and its failures. If you want your teammates to give their best, you need to set the example by giving yours. When the team wins, leaders share the credit. When the team loses, they step up, acknowledge what went wrong, and look for ways to improve. Blaming others doesn’t solve anything, but taking ownership does.

A Real-Life Lesson in Leadership

Years ago, when I was coaching Middle School and JV volleyball, I saw this firsthand. The Middle School team had a Region playoff match on the same day as a regular JV season match. I went with the Middle School team and had the Varsity coach cover the JV match. When the JV team lost, the coach told me one player was to blame. I decided to get more context, so I talked to the girls. Most of them echoed the same thing—they blamed one teammate. But when I spoke to the team captains, they said something different. “We didn’t play our best,” they said. They understood that leadership isn’t about finding someone to blame. It’s about taking responsibility, learning from mistakes, and moving forward together.

Leadership Is Within Your Reach

So whether you’re new to the team or a seasoned player, remember that leadership is within your reach. It’s about how you show up, how you support others, and how you own your role in the team. Keep these principles close, and you’ll see the difference you can make.