Shaming of theTrue 

A fresh and unique blending of two traditionally disconnected topics---spirituality and sports. Follow Sly Young as he attempts to accomplish the feat of playing professionally in the three major sports using positive character traits taught through scripture.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

For some reason our discussion does not seem complete. Are leaders born or can they be made? For a very long time I would have argued that great leaders are born and that leadership ability is God given. Then all of a sudden the previous scripture jumped right off the page. It makes it clear that if the leadership ability is not inherent you really don’t need to pay for one of the dozens of leadership trainings or resign yourself to a life of being a follower. Please don’t misunderstand the importance of being a diligent and productive follower or servant. It is essential to be able to work for and follow in another’s goals and dreams, before it is time for your leadership SKILLS to shine through. An earlier article mentioned the difference between ability and skill. Ability is God given but skills can be practiced, improved and basically learned. We all can become good leaders!

Too many times athletes tend to feel that the leadership role is reserved for the coaches and the Captains. I have said to several individuals over the years that you don’t have to be a Captain to be a leader. Neither do you have to be a Senior. The scripture says very plainly that leaders must set an example by doing good works----always. In terms of sports this can be summed up with the phrase, “never take a day or a play off”. The true leaders come to practice everyday with integrity and knowledge of when it is imperative to be serious. Loud encouragements, jumping up and down, and scorching criticisms are often mistaken by athletes as the way to lead and shine their light. Does the leader have to be talented in the area they lead? It helps but is not necessary to show good works. The most important thing to understand is that the character of the leader is more important than what he or she says. Character can be broken down to a simple description---it is what you do when no one else is around. This makes it really seem complicated but is truly very simple. If you do good works, show integrity with a sense of seriousness, when there isn’t anybody to impress, you are practicing vital leadership skills for when others are around (shining light). The light cannot be turned off and on depending on who’s around or who’s watching. People can see right through those types of “fake” leaders or “artificial” lights. The great leaders at some point must lead by example as opposed to by what they might say. This is the main reason why veteran or senior leadership is irreplaceable. Unless a person is one of the special leaders who is naturally born with great leadership ABILITY, the SKILL is mainly learned through observation and experience. What is not told to the potential leader is that the skill is practiced when you are primarily by yourself. How hard do I work when no one is looking? What good habits do I develop with only self-motivation? Do I keep a strict compliance to my personal ethical standards (integrity)? Experience following great leaders will enable you to model the behavior of that leader. Teams and athletic programs are only as good as their veteran or senior leaders.

The fact that it is obvious when you come across the “fake” individuals who attempt to turn the leadership traits on and off, becomes equally as obvious when you are in the presence of great leaders. Great leaders have the self confidence to sometimes follow. They will stand up for what they know is right even if it is not popular. Leaders don’t wait to be called to lead, but will except the calling when it comes. The great leaders do good works in all things, not just athletics. He or she understands the importance of leading by example, with integrity and seriousness to earn the right to be followed and imitated. The way they live their life gives their words greater impact and glory to God. Please don’t be timid in an attempt to be humble. Let your light lead. Don’t deny, dim or ignore the light. Be the beacon you have trained to be----be a leader.

                                                                                        Fred Tudor

Fred Tudor is a twenty-two year employee of the Cincinnati Public Schools as a Health and Physical Education teacher. He has been coaching at the high school level in Greater Cincinnati since graduating from Wittenberg University in 1979. His coaching stints includes stops at his alma mater Walnut Hills High School, Hughes Center High School, and from 1990 until present coaches at Wyoming High School. His church home is Cincinnati Bibleway Church in Madisonville, Apostles James and Grace Blue Pastors. Contact Information: 513.328.2767 E-Mail: Info@CincySportsWorld.com