Athletic Trainer: A Leading Superhero?

As a head athletic trainer, have you clearly communicated your leadership philosophy to differentiate yourself from being just a manager?

Some questions to ask yourself to better define your mission:

1. Who have I seen demonstrate leadership effectively?

2. What specific actions did I observe in that person to make me think that he or she was a leader?

3. Who have I observed who failed to demonstrate leadership effectively?

4. How is leadership “success” defined by others (e.g., at work and in athletic training, in settings outside of work)?

5. How do I define leadership success?

6. What leadership behaviors do I currently exhibit?

7. What are the early predictors of leadership that I look for in others?

8. What is it about my becoming a better leader that will enhance the profession of athletic training?

9. Do I consider myself to be a leader?

Which leadership skills do you possess? The tangible (or observable) behaviors of leadership include strategic thinking, communication, initiative and drive, time management, and resilience. The intangible aspects of leadership consist of things like personality, interpersonal skills, presence, social judgment, intuition, and attitude.

By having a better understanding of how you operate helps increase your influence.

Kutz, M. Leadership and Management in Athletic Training: An Integrated Approach: Leadership Behaviors for Athletic Trainers. Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2018; 6:1 (1-19)

Shelby 6/2024