We, as people, have a natural tendency to float from one extreme to another, from highs to lows, from left to right, from absolute to absolute, searching for truth and maximum performance. But as the pendulum swings, we most often find perfection when we strike perfect balance. This is why "opposites attract" and we piece together teams with complementary pieces.
Enter the role of the leader or coach. The leader of a team must always feel the pulse of the group and its individual members, and provide whatever is necessary to bring them closer to equilibrium. When a player makes a terrible mistake, it's likely he knows it. The coach doesn't need to scorn him more, sending him farther from centered. Likewise, when a player hits a game winning shot, he doesn't need to be celebrated publicly. It's likely he's already high enough. And so it is true of a leader's demeanor. When the team is discouraged, he should be encouraging; when panicked, calm; when anxious, reassuring; when lackadaisical, pressuring; when content, demanding; when devoid of passion, inspiring; when lost in emotion, present and rational. The list goes on. The point being, a leader must always be in tune with the pulse and rhythm of the team, be aware of how his/her words and actions impact that flow, and provide the correct antidote to move the group or individual closer to center.
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