Always Check Your Shoulders

Today is a historic day in Australian history, Julia Gillard is now the first female Australian Prime Minister! This is undoubtedly a game lost by Kevin Rudd rather that an out right win by Julia Gillard. Let this be a lesson to everyone that no matter what you feel you must do in your position you have been put there for the good of the people, not for your own glory and success! It doesn't matter what position you are in, Prime Minister, CEO, Head Coach or Leading hand on a construction site, you are put there because people believe you have what it takes to lead a country, a business, a team or a construction site!

I also believe you must be a likable person but must stand firm on as a leader and not focus on individuals, especially yourself! If you find yourself on the outer rim and asking yourself, "What have I done wrong?", take a hard look in the mirror because the answer is usually staring back at you! Always respect all your colleague's, they are not trying to back stab you to take your position but might be trying to steer you in a better direction because they feel you are veering the wrong way, if you don't respect or communicate with them they may feel the need to challenge you! But you had the chance, don't be arrogant, take all the advice you can. It is better to take advice and sift through it rather than take none at all!

In wheelchair basketball we talk about checking your shoulders in defence so you can keep an eye on where the offence are positioned and most importantly so they can't get past you and get to the basket! We are one of the hardest pushing teams if not the hardest in the NWBL, we know that, but we always keep an eye on what is coming thus respecting what they are capable of doing. Individually, point for point and pound for pound we are great, but we still practice to improve our skills, always knowing that if we don't we could get knocked from the top! As a team we are striving to get stronger knowing that if we don't we could get knocked from the top and as champions we are always pushing harder, smarter and stronger with everything and giving every piece of our blood, sweat and tears knowing that if we don't we could get knocked from the top!

As a coach I use all the very limited resources I have to make sure I am fulfilling my role, elected to steer the team in a greater direction. I use all the knowledge and experience of the senior players to make sure we have all bases covered, I would be mad not to listen to the people around me that have greater experience! I take their advice, sift through what I'm given and use what I think is useful!

There are many leaders in all facets of our community, they are all put there by someone who believes they will do a great job in being a leader, whether it is leading a nation, business, team or work place! If you are too focused on your own individual success you will fall hard and like Kevin Rudd this morning you will make a great exit speech, the door will be shut behind you and a new leader will be elected and the faith of the people will be shifted to the new leader! A team, a wheelchair basketball team is no different to Australia, the PM is the Coach, the Deputies are the Assistants and the people are the players!

No matter who you are or how well you think you are doing, their will always be a Julia Gillard by your side. Listen to her and always, "Always Check Your Shoulders"!

Lee