How sports can help students build leadership skills

BSB Shunyi is fully committed to providing a world-class, holistic education to our students, one that balances academic outcomes, character development, and well-being, preparing our students to be leaders in an ever-changing world.

As part of Nord Anglia Education's family of more than 80 schools in 30 countries, BSB benefits from collaborations with world-leading organisations including The Juilliard School, MIT, IMG Academy and UNICEF.  Our globally respected curriculum together with outstanding learning environments enable us to offer our students a wide range of experiences, in and out of school. These encourage and enable our students to achieve excellent academic outcomes, find their passions, develop their skills, and to make a real difference in the world. 

In this article, we’ll introduce how our students can benefit from Nord Anglia’s newest collaboration with IMG Academy, exclusively for BSB and NAE students. 
Hear from Dr Pete Paciorek, Head of Leadership & Character Development at IMG Academy, to learn how sports can help students develop their wellbeing, resilience, confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills, both on and off the field.

Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
I’m Dr Pete Paciorek, aka ‘Coach Pete’, and I’m the Head of Leadership & Character Development at IMG Academy. I’ve been a coach and teacher for the past 30 years and for close to 10 years played professional baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. I hold a doctoral degree in Servant Leadership & Character Education and am passionate about helping students flourish thanks to learning leadership skills.
  
Could you explain how participating in sports can help develop leadership skills?
Simply put, participation in sports at any level provides excellent opportunities for children to develop their character and leadership. I’ve seen first-hand how sports can be an effective vehicle to teach transferable life skills and habits that can last a lifetime, such as teamwork, collaboration, confidence, respect, and integrity. And when working with students, I always start with an emphasis on “leading oneself” before leading others. We seek to create a learning environment that develops independent critical thinkers. Whether it be through active participation in after school sports teams or during physical education classes, all students benefit holistically.

What do you mean by “leading oneself”?
It’s my go-to answer to “how do I become a better leader?” As adults, we need to embody the leadership and character we want to see in our children. They’re watching our actions and listening to our words, even when we don't think that’s the case. Are we modeling the right way for them? 
For students, they must be able to lead themselves before they can lead others. Are they open to being coachable, or do they think they have it all figured out? Do they look to lift others up, or are they only about their own stats? And do they have the courage it takes to lead? We know effective self-leadership comes from honest self-reflection and self-awareness. 

The good news is that leadership can be taught. At IMG Academy, we focus on developing 12 leadership qualities—purpose, humility, integrity, joy, courage, forgiveness, gratitude, compassion, empowerment, valuing diversity, foresight, and stewardship—all rooted in evidence-based research.
 
And how can families/parents encourage their children to do the same?
Parents should be intentional about why they encourage their children to participate in sports and physical activities. In the long run, is it to win a game or championship and get a scholarship, or is the true value much deeper than that? Many parents tell me they want their children to grow in character through sports. Just as we work with our student-athletes to gain clarity around their purpose for playing, it’s vital for parents to keep their priorities in check as well. One way to do so is to empower their children to take control of their own sports’ journey.
Families and parents could also find opportunities outside of school and sports to develop the "champion's spirit" of a leader, which is one of our core values at IMG Academy. One way to do so is to empower your children to find a charity or cause that they are passionate about—the key here is helping them find their own cause to support. It could be your local Special Olympics (my own children's personal favourite non-profit organisation to support), reading to or tutoring younger children, or starting their own local food drive. A key component of a purpose-driven leader is a commitment to something larger than self.

Parents should also partner with teachers and coaches, who serve a vital role as adult mentors outside of the home. It takes a village to raise a child into a strong leader of high character and positive influence. If you are a parent who was not into sports as a young child, don’t let that detract you from signing your child up for a local sports league. They don't have to be a future Major Leaguer to benefit from the fruits of sport participation, including positive mentoring from many terrific youth coaches who care deeply about your child winning in life, not just on the scoreboard.

Click here to find out how BSB broaden your child's horizon with outstanding experiences.

https://www.nordangliaeducation.com/bsb-shunyi/outstanding-experiences