Simon Sinek’s concept in “Why Good Leaders Make You Feel Safe” revolves around the idea that effective leaders create environments of trust and safety, allowing individuals to thrive and focus on their performance without fear of judgment or failure. This principle can be easily applied to a high school girl involved in gymnastics, a sport that requires both physical skill and mental resilience.
Real-Life Example:
Let’s consider a high school junior named Emma, who is a dedicated gymnast on her school’s gymnastics team. Emma has always been passionate about gymnastics, but she has struggled with a particular skill—her back handspring. In the past, she felt overwhelmed and anxious during practice, particularly when it came time to attempt this skill.
Recognizing that Emma was not performing at her best due to stress, her coach, Ms. Thompson, embodies the kind of leadership Sinek describes. Here’s how Ms. Thompson creates a safe and supportive environment for Emma and her teammates:
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Building Trust: Ms. Thompson starts every practice with a team huddle where she emphasizes the importance of trust within the team. She encourages gymnasts to share their struggles without fear of being criticized. Emma feels comfortable admitting her fears about her back handspring, which allows her to open up to discussions about her challenges.
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Encouraging Growth Mindset: Instead of ridiculing mistakes, Ms. Thompson sees them as opportunities for learning. She emphasizes that it’s okay to fail and reassures the team that improvement comes with practice. Knowing she won’t be judged, Emma begins to take risks during practice, leading to gradual improvement.
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Individualized Support: Ms. Thompson takes the time to work with Emma individually, providing specific feedback and breaking down the back handspring into manageable steps. This personalized approach not only helps Emma refine her technique but also instills confidence as she feels valued and supported.
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Creating a Positive Culture: During practices, Ms. Thompson fosters camaraderie and positivity. She encourages teammates to cheer for one another and celebrate each individual’s milestones, no matter how small. As a result, when Emma successfully performs her back handspring for the first time, she is met with enthusiastic cheers from her teammates, reinforcing the sense of safety and belonging.
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Emotional Safety: When Emma faces setbacks, such as not landing the back handspring after several attempts, Ms. Thompson helps her process the experience emotionally. She reassures Emma that it’s part of the journey and that persistence is key. This emotional support helps Emma maintain her motivation and enthusiasm for gymnastics.
Through Ms. Thompson's leadership, Emma feels safe to face her fears and commit to her growth, embodying Sinek's principle that good leaders make you feel secure. This supportive environment not only helps Emma improve her gymnastics skills but also nurtures her confidence and resilience, important traits that she will carry with her beyond the gymnastics mat.