How to Lead Your Team to Be the Best of the Best

We all have that one person we consider the best of the best. You know who I’m talking about; they’re the one who was born with a talent they turned into an ability, which now sets them apart from everyone else. It’s no wonder they can’t help but stand out.

There have been plenty of times in sports’ history when an all-star team of the best of the best was assembled and expected to win. And a lot of times, they do win. But there are times they don’t win. So, what’s the difference? The culture. The owner affects the GM and the GM affects the coach and the coach affects the player. 

Let’s take a look at the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006. David Eckstein was the MVP the year they won the World Series. He was an incredible shortstop and hitter and handled himself like the biggest man on the field despite his 5’7 height and 175 lbs. Eckstein was always sought out for advice and highly respected among players and coaches alike. He didn’t talk a lot, so when he did, people listened.

When we compare the Cardinals to other sports teams with all-star rosters, we realize that sometimes it just takes one exceptional person to turn that team into a champion. Maybe being the best shouldn’t relate only to one aspect, like an athlete’s skill. Maybe being the best of the best means succeeding in multiple aspects, like skill and personality, and integrity.

So, who is the David Eckstein in your life? How can you emulate them in an effort to become more like the best of the best, in multiple aspects of your life?