What Makes an Athlete Standout
When you have a group of athletes who are all physically skilled, how do some athletes separate themselves and standout from the rest?
For the last six months, we sponsored the Lethbridge Hurricanes to select a player each month who had been a top performer. The athletes chosen to be a player of the month were more than just top scorers. Here’s what we learned from the Hurricanes about why each player was chosen:
They show up with the right attitude. Whether it’s a game or practice, they’ll show up with the right mindset that allows them to be competitive and focused on their goal.
They’re able to perform important roles under pressure. These athletes hold positions that put them under a lot of pressure and are critical to their team’s success. Being able to perform with that weight on their shoulders is key to their future as athletes.
They’re able to be versatile and provide value in multiple situations. The team can rely on them to get the job done no matter what role they’re filling.
They’re leaders for their teammates. These athletes show leadership capabilities be it for the team as a whole or on a smaller scale. Their ability to fill leadership roles throughout the team makes a big impact on the team’s overall success.
They’ve consistently put in effort on and off the ice and have shown continuous improvement. These athletes have improved over the course of the season by being dedicated to their training, consistently showing up and putting in their best effort.
What we learned was that players weren’t just chosen because they scored the most points; the Hurricanes chose athletes that were assets to the team in a multitude of ways. They have the right attitude that allows them to perform under pressure in a variety of situations, they’re consistently working to improve, and they exemplify leadership qualities for their teammates. These athletes possess the intangible skills that allow them to make the most of their physical skills and perform at an elite level.
These athletes show us exactly what the leftBrain GritABC skills are all about. They’re examples of what attitude, behavior, and character add up to when put into practice. We believe all athletes can benefit from training these intangible skills. Our mission is to give athletes the ability to understand their intangible skillset, how it impacts their performance, and where they can improve to make the biggest impact on their athletic career.
