The European Men’s Volleyball Championship finished two days ago in Paris, with a well-deserved victory for the Serbian national team. Magnificent, should I say.
My absolute admiration for their success comes from their lead coach, Slobodan Boba Kovac, who took over the team only a few weeks before the Championship. You don’t have to be a sports expert to understand how little time it takes to prepare for such an important tournament. So, how did he do it, and what were his key characteristics for leadership success? He led the team with accountability, perseverance, respectfulness, passion, modesty, and humility. Easier said than done, but he did it.
Accountability – the shortage of time can be any team leader’s great excuse for underachieving goals, but not for Boba. From the beginning of his new team leader role, he was clear that he was dealt the best cards possible by having outstanding players and that it was up to him to get their maximum on the court. By recognizing their qualities and taking over responsibility for the outcome, he relieved them from high expectations and pressure so they could focus on the tasks that were given to each of them. He was also clear that their goal was gold and nothing less. And that was the atmosphere and the attitude the team lived by for the past 4 weeks.
Delegation and empowerment – I can’t remember how many times exactly he mentioned his assistant coaches, scouts, and other team members with a supportive role. Still, rare were the media appearances after each game during the tournament that he didn’t mention at least some of them contributing to the success. He clearly saw their value, delegated the appropriate tasks, and listened to their advice.
Commitment, passion, and breathing with a team – you could see it clearly when, at one point, he impulsively passed the ball that was going towards him and out of the reach of his players, just like he was one of them and not their superior. Simply put into athletic words – he put his heart onto the field along with each and every player.
Humility – if nothing above proves his humility, it certainly does the most magnificent and noble act of the Championship at the medal ceremony. He got his medal, went in front of the players, and bowed to all of them. It was a thank you for giving their best, being cooperative, their compassion and dedication, and most of all, their trust in him. It was a noble act that only a selfless person could do.
And that brings us to one of the critical characteristics for leadership success – trust. His entire team unconditionally trusted him, but that was just a reciprocal value of his trust in each team. Once you get to that point, there is nothing else left but to be a champion.
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