Why humble Leadership matters & how Declan Rice is a great example..

With this article ,I might be a little biased as a longtime West Ham fan and feeling a little light headed this morning after the night before but I felt compelled to write about the leadership lessons we can learn from our Captain and talisman,Declan Rice after watching him being interviewed on the pitch(we know he is probably soon to be leaving us so this is my homage to Dec.. )

I am not ashamed to admit I was in tears last night - us West Ham fans are not used to dealing with tears of joy but we are normally accustomed to tears of failure or disappointment after feeling we were going to win something finally ... ( as the famous song goes 'They fly so high, nearly reach the sky, then like my dreams they fade and die )

But last night they did not fade but for the first time in over 40 years they shone brightly in the sky for all to see...

West Ham United's victory in the inaugural Europa Conference League ( Alright it is the 2nd year but it is still a very new tournament .. ) was a historic moment for our club, and much of the credit for the success can be attributed to the leadership of our captain, Declan Rice. Rice's performance throughout the tournament not only demonstrated his exceptional football skills, his decency as a human being but also provided valuable insights into effective leadership.

Here are some leadership lessons I think we can learn from Declan Rice and his captaincy in West Ham's triumph:

1. Lead by example:

Declan Rice's leadership style was based on leading by example. He led the team from the front by putting in strong performances in every game. His work rate, commitment, and determination to succeed were evident in every match. Rice's attitude was infectious, and it motivated his teammates to give their best in every game.

There is much to be said for leaders who are prepared to do whatever they need do and to help everyone around them and this can often rub off on those around them and have a halo effect. It reminds me on the fantastic book Legacy by James Kerr - about the NZ All-Black Rugby team and one of their key teamship rules - Sweep the Sheds- no-one is too big for the small things & great leaders do this often..

2.Build a strong team culture:

Rice's leadership was characterized by the creation of a strong team culture. He fostered a sense of togetherness and unity among the players, which was evident in their performances on the pitch. Rice made sure that every player felt valued and encouraged them to contribute to the team's success. He created an environment of trust, where each player knew their role and responsibility in the team.

The importance of this attribute cannot be underestimated as great leaders take the time to cultivate the culture amongst team members and encourage those around them to be the best version of themselves.

3. Communicate effectively:

Effective communication is essential for any leader, and Rice demonstrated this throughout the tournament. He was constantly communicating with his teammates on the pitch, providing them with guidance and encouragement. Off the pitch, he was always available to listen to his teammates' concerns and ideas, creating an open and supportive environment.

This is critical and effective leaders are great communicators because they inspire and empower those around them and keep employees engaged and focused in the right direction whilst being open to hear what others think.

4. Embrace challenges:

The Europa Conference League is still a new tournament, and West Ham were competing against teams from across Europe, many of whom were unfamiliar opponents so we did not know what to expect. Rice embraced the challenge and encouraged his teammates to do the same. He instilled a belief in the team that they could compete and win against any team they faced.

We are living in a world post covid that continues to pose many challenges for us in the business world and we don't always know what is coming round the corner so how do we help our teams being prepared for potential obstacles and hurdles and install a sense of positivity with whatever comes , that we can deal with it.

Great leaders do this brilliantly well through great storytelling and helping those around them to frame challenges as opportunities to imagine,learn and grow.

5. Learn from failures:

West Ham faced setbacks throughout the tournament, but Rice demonstrated the importance of learning from failures. He encouraged his teammates to analyze their mistakes and learn from them, rather than dwelling on them. This approach helped the team to improve as the tournament progressed.

Leaders who do this well encourage their teams to take risks and ask questions when things don't go the way we want them to and most importantly to not feel they are blamed and to realign and go again ...

6. Stay humble and grounded:

Despite the euphoria of winning a major European trophy, Declan Rice remained humble and grounded. On his interview on the pitch immediately post the match , he acknowledged the contribution of every member of the team and thanked the fans for their support. He talked about those behind the scenes from the chefs to the groundsman and he said " I'm not only happy for us , the manager,I'm happy for these fans and all the staff you see behind us, no-one knows the work they put in "

As a leader, it's vital to stay grounded and to ensure we recognise those who do the 'work in the shadows' which allow those ' in the light ' to be seen .They value the team around them and focus more on them than they do on themselves.

7. Celebrate success

Finally, Rice knew the importance of celebrating success. He made sure that his team took the time to enjoy their victories, no matter how small they may have been. Celebrating success helped to build team morale and kept the team motivated to continue working towards their goals.

Great leaders recognise how valuable it can be to find time to acknowledge wins however small they are ... They make us feel good and give us fuel for the next challenge , project or talk.

In conclusion, Declan Rice's captaincy during West Ham's Europa Conference League triumph showcased exceptional leadership skills. Leading by example, building a strong team culture, effective communication, embracing challenges,learning from failures, staying humble and celebrating success are all valuable lessons that can be applied in any leadership role. Rice's success as a captain can serve as an inspiration for aspiring leaders, both on and off the pitch.

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