Day 1430 | Follow the Leader
There’s something about leading by example that can get confusing. Is it carrying a team of people on your back while you do it all? Is it guiding a group to be better while you stay in the shadows? Or is it being a dictator that demands respect and those around you fear what happens if they don’t achieve? I’ve never been clear on the answer but recently I saw one of the greatest examples of leadership ever, and it was very obvious why it was working.
Now I’m not a Geelong Cats supporter and have never been a big fan of their captain Joel Selwood. He wasn’t ever heavily vocal in the media and seemed almost arrogant from afar, but the coaches loved him, as did the playing group and I wasn’t sure why.
The Cats had a crazy successful 2022 season and on grand final day they made light work of the Swans. After the win Joel is heading around the boundary giving out high 5s to the crowd and locks eyes with Sam (pictured). Sam works at the club as a water boy and has Down Syndrome. Joel proceeds to get Sam over the fence, onto the ground and gives him a giant hug. At the time, I thought it might have been ‘good marketing’ in front of the cameras and especially with half of Australia watching but for some reason it seemed really genuine, like the cameras weren’t even there.
Comes out as a story afterwards that he is tight with Sam and gives him a heap of time. Joel announces his retirement and the stories from people inside just keep coming. Dozens of accounts about how Joel was a born leader and he made those around him feel important. That he instilled value in them that sometimes they didn’t have for themselves and that each and every one of the players that took the field under him knew that he was backing them 100%. No slimy arrogance, no aggression, just humble and clear guidance that he wanted everyone on the same page. And that page was to be successful but to be at their individual best so the team could do the same as a whole.
We should all aspire to be a leader like that, and you never know… maybe that’s why the Geelong Cats have another Premiership to add to their list.