Leadership Principle #2 - Power of Words

Leadership is influence - Using your influence for the benefit of others.

Two captains and leaders who graduated that we still talk about.

Abby - "The most positive person ever."

Jackie - "She was always so positive"

Emma said, "It's interesting to see how much positivity makes a difference on the field. When someone is negative it makes the other person lose the ball. When someone is positive they play so much better."

Here's the truth:

• Your words have real power.

• It's been proven that vocalizing something makes it more likely to become true. You hear your own thoughts and words and you hear other's words. We believe what we hear and it can come true for good or for bad.

• When someone makes a good pass from the defense that leads to a goal we look back at the person on defense and say, "That started with you!" The same is true for our words. When you make a real encouraging comment to someone it could lead them to do something great on and off the field.

• Words are like a rudder on a boat. They might be small but they have the power to direct the ship. Our tongue is the rudder.

• The same is true when someone does this in our life. Words of affirmation are powerful.

This is why our coaching staff has been pushing for positivity. I have heard people say so many times, "It doesn't mean anything. We are just joking around." or "She knows I'm kidding." But the truth is that words do mean something. And the way we treat people can make a real impact for good or for bad. And you never know your audience and what is going on in their life or their head. So it's better to not say it.

You will be remembered by your teammates once you graduate. How you are remembered will be the legacy that you leave behind. Just like we do with Abby and Jackie. So today I am going to give you all a few minutes and I want you to write in your journal. I want you to write out a legacy. How do you want to be remembered on this team when you are gone and graduated? What do you want people to say about you?

We want you to leave and this program will be better for having had you in it. Leaders leave a legacy.

People may not remember who won the state championship last year. But the people on this team will remember you.