10 Leadership Practices Of Highly Successful 2nd In Commands

There are leaders in this world who are called to make those “above them” successful.  It is a unique calling and mentality when a person does not desire the spotlight but rather enjoys shining it on someone else.  Specifically, for those who are 2nd In Command, their success is found in the success of the one they report to.

In the June 10th edition of Sports Illustrated, U.S. Soccer team captain Clint Dempsey was profiled by writer Grant Wahl.  While reading the article I gleaned 10 Leadership Practices Of Highly Successful 2nd In Commands which I want to pass along to you.

1. Highly Successful 2nd In Commands Spotlight Others – Dempsey says, “I don’t see myself as the leader but as one of the leaders, with guys like Tim Howard and Michael Bradley.”
2. Highly Successful 2nd In Commands Are Trustworthy – Being trustworthy does not make you a leader but being untrustworthy will disqualify you from being one.  Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said, “The role of a captain is the right arm of the coach; it has to be a person he has trust in.”
3. Highly Successful 2nd In Commands Embrace Responsibility – Klinsmann adds, “It should make you feel good, proud (to be selected as team captain).  But it also makes you feel responsibility automatically – whether you want it or not.”
4. Highly Successful 2nd In Commands Make Others Successful – Dempsey says, “It makes me that much more determined and focused on trying to help the team be successful.”
5. Highly Successful 2nd In Commands Wholeheartedly Support The 1st In Command – Former team captain Steve Sampson says, “It’s going to take time for Jurgen to implement his plan and his style, and that will be a lot easier if key members of the team leadership support it.”
6. Highly Successful 2nd In Commands Build A Strong Inner-Circle – Heading into World Cup qualifiers, Klinsmann noted, “Other players have amazing influence and talent, but from an experience and aggression point of view those four (Dempsey, Howard, Bradley and Jermaine Jones) will define the path now.”
7. Highly Successful 2nd In Commands Set The Example In Everything – Soccer captains have a series of “private tasks, those include setting an example by training hard every day.”
8. Highly Successful 2nd In Commands Build Bridges – Great leaders are inclusive, not exclusive.  Soccer captains are a buffer between the coaches and players.  They also welcome and integrate new team members.  Finally, effective captains break down the barriers which could potentially separate teammates.  Former team captain Claudio Reyna said, “We would go out to dinner with different guys every night.”
9. Highly Successful 2nd In Commands Make A Big Deal Of Little Things – Because of the egos involved, intuitive soccer captains pay close attention to little things like where people sit during team meals.
10. Highly Successful 2nd In Commands Keep The Team Focused On What Is Important – Effective leaders have no room for pettiness.  Dempsey said, “Those guys put all that nonsense aside and got the results.”

Spotlight Others and Make Them Successful, Be Trustworthy, Embrace Responsibility, Set The Example, Build Bridges, Make A Big Deal Of Little Things, Keep The Team Focused On What Is Important, Build A Strong Inner-Circle and WholeHeartedly Support The 1st In Command.  If you practice these 10 things, you will likely be a Highly Successful 2nd In Command.

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