Last spring I had the unique opportunity to hear a baseball Manager speak, as he was starting his first season in a very big role. It was such a joy to hear his thoughts and beliefs, and there are a few things he said/did that really resonated:

Building skills for self and others: When this Manager was a major league player, he was not only working on playing his current role with excellence, but also preparing for the future job he aspired to have. One specific example of this was that he studied his teammates with respect to who would be the best relief batter and when that batter would most likely be successful. In the process of building his own skills, he also helped others on his team.

Building confidence in your authentic team: One of the beliefs he shared has to do with embracing each persons authenticity. This includes not only their technical baseball strengths/skills but also understanding each players style, personality, and culture. Acceptance of their "who" in addition to their "do."  He did this because he believed it was critical for top performance. Specifically, he said, "when you feel like you belong you can play stress free." It's not enough to have great skills, but we also need to know that we are accepted. That we belong. That we don't need to fit into an image that others want us to be. And understand the risk we take as leaders when we don't do that for the individuals in our organizations.

Buiding loyalty by having your team's back: Probably my favorite example of what this leader believes was demonstrated later in the season, when he was thrown out the game for the first time in his career as Manager. It was a fabulous example of having his team's back. Or in this case, the pitcher's back. I can't say for sure, but I suspect if he had not stepped in, the pitcher would have been thrown out of the game. Here is the video clip, take a look and you can decide for yourself. Stepping in for your folks at the right time will not only protect them but also inspire them, build the relationship with them and loyalty to you/your vision.

A workshop graduate recently asked me for recommnendations on leadership books that she could share with her niece who was just starting out in the corporate world. There are so many great resources, and while I personally love to read and learn, I believe the best lessons come from watching others and getting in the game.  See it. Live it. Learn from it. The good and the not so good.  As "real knowledge is gained through observation and experience" - Leonardo da Vinci

So what does leadership look like for you? Who has your back?
And most importantly, who's back do you have?