Game Changers with Molly Fletcher Sam Walker on the 7 Characteristics of Great Leaders
Nov 30, 2017
Sam Walker, deputy editor at the Wall Street Journal and author of The Captain Class, reveals the surprising traits behind the world’s greatest team leaders. They aren't the superstars you expect. Instead, he identifies seven key characteristics: emotional control, relentless drive, and effective communication among others. Walker emphasizes the importance of selecting low-profile influencers in business and the necessity of strong captain-coach partnerships, using Tim Duncan as an ideal example. He challenges common misconceptions about leadership visibility, advocating for a more nuanced view of what makes leaders effective.
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Captain Presence Trumps Talent Or Money
- Sam Walker found talent, coaching, tactics, and money did not consistently explain enduring greatness across elite teams.
- The single common factor was the arrival and departure of a specific player who served as the team's captain.
Quiet, Practical Leadership Wins
- Captain-class leaders were rarely charismatic superstars and often preferred low attention roles.
- They concentrated on practical, constant, one-on-one communication rather than grand speeches.
Find Leaders By Looking For The Unobvious
- When choosing a leader, look for the person you would least expect to be the leader when entering the room.
- That person often circulates, talks intensely one-on-one, listens, and works around the perimeter of interactions.