From Locker Room to Life: How I Learned What Real Leadership Looks Like

The Misconception of Leadership

I remember becoming the team captain when I played High School and College basketball, with very little training on how to be a leader. I used to think all I had to do was lead by example, tell people what to do, and score points. 

Like many young athletes, my mentality around leadership was incomplete. My idea was that I needed to be the most hype person on the court. I thought my teammates needed to hear me correct them, and that I needed to be the one scoring the most on any given night. 

That mindset got me to a certain point in my career, but in order to be successful as a professional athlete, I had to learn some very serious lessons about leadership. 

The Example I’ll Never Forget

I transferred to Florida A&M University for my junior year of college. I became one of the players our coaching staff began to lean on for creating offense, which earned me a starting spot in the lineup. One of our seniors who had been there for all four years rarely got playing time even though she was a very capable player. 

She could have been salty about warming the bench, but instead she did something that I later recognized as tremendous leadership. Before every game she would meet me on the court and ask me my goals for this game. She would encourage me on ways I could meet those goals, and she celebrated loudly for the team - win or loss. 

That example of leadership shifted my view of what it means to be a leader. It’s not about being the captain or being the biggest contributor on the court - it’s about making everyone around you better. 

Redefining Leadership

I took those lessons with me as I continued my playing career in Europe. If I could put everything I learned during those years on paper - this would be a book, not a blog post! I’ll sum it up in three major traits that I had to acquire to make me a leader that made my teams better. 

Consistency - Consistency is King

It’s easy to do something good once.

High level players and leaders have a habit of consistency. They are willing to do the work over and over because they are bought in to the process. They are reliable, and their team knows they will show up rain or shine. This trait is powerful because this is where real transformation lies.

Consistency is the difference between good and great, and most importantly it serves as a great example to members of the team. The most consistent player holds the most weight because they are usually the most respected.

Don’t confuse this with perfection. It’s not about always getting it right, but it is about getting up and trying again when things go wrong. 

Servant Leadership - Deposits before Withdrawals

The best leaders have a heart of servanthood.

Remember, leadership is about making the people and spaces around you better.

How is that accomplished? Service! As a player I had to learn that I was never going to get what I wanted unless I first helped someone else get what they wanted. Spending time on the needs of others builds trust, connection, and credibility.

Then when it’s time to hold people accountable, you can do it with less friction. The quote is true, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” This applies as a leader in sports, as well.

Respect Earned Through Preparation

My teammates saw me stay late to get up extra shots, learn the scouting report, or come to the gym early to get extra recovery. That’s when they realized I was willing to do what it takes to win! That earned me respect with them and our coaching staff.

I had a coach in Portugal who used to always tell me, “Taneka, I trust my work.” At the time, I didn’t fully understand him (not because of his thick Portuguese accent).

Later, I realized that he was saying that confidence is gained through elite preparation.When you prioritize being the most prepared, you can be the captain of the ship and others will have no problem getting on board. 

Teaching What I’ve Learned

Now as a coach I see the same thoughts around leadership that I struggled with as a player.

Many athletes have a misconception of what leadership looks like. There’s an idea that either you’re a good leader or you’re not and that’s the end.

However, I’ve learned that the best programs don’t just sit around hoping great leaders emerge - they develop them. They understand that creating capable leaders requires intentional attention and care. 

What I’ve found is that most athletes are highly receptive to learning how to be a better leader. They want to be better leaders - they just don’t know how. 

The CHAMP Solution: Teaching Leadership Daily 

I created a Student-Athlete focused life-skills curriculum that teaches real leadership.

It’s a fully packed system with videos, discussion-based prompts, and practical tools to aid their development.

The CHAMP Curriculum helps athletes:

• Develop Elite Consistency

• Own Their Mindset

• Attain Leadership Habits

• Identify their Unique Gifts and Values

This system is packed with practical tools, not just motivational talk.

If you want to build a team of leaders - not just athletes - CHAMP is the blueprint.