Quiet Strength: Leading Your Team Even When You Are Not at Your Best

by: Dr Drew Brazier, Sports Psychologist | Director of Mental Performance EForce Sports

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I remember a day on the field when nothing was clicking. My team was looking to me for energy and direction, and I felt flat. I was not sure what to say or how to inspire. But in that moment, I realized something important. Leadership is not about being perfect or always having the loudest voice. It is about showing up sometimes quietly, sometimes boldly, and showing up differently depending on the situation you are in. Leadership changes, and your style is valid no matter what it looks like.

Leadership is not just about knowing the right answers or being at your peak performance. It is about showing up for your team consistently, no matter where you are personally or as an athlete. Some days you are on fire, hitting everything 100% and inspiring with your energy. Other days, you are stretched, tired, or uncertain. True leadership shows in both seasons.

1. Leading When You Are Struggling

Hiding when things are hard is easy. But your team does not need perfection. They need presence. Showing up even when you are not at your best builds trust and resilience.

Listen more than you speak. Let your team voice ideas and concerns.

Model resilience. Setbacks are not failures. They are part of progress.

Prioritize support over control. Helping someone else succeed can lift your own spirits and your team’s.

2. Leading When You Are Excelling

When things are going well, lean into your strengths but do not forget your team. Your wins are bigger when shared.

Celebrate victories as a team, not just personal achievements.

Use your confidence to mentor and lift others.

Be intentional with your presence. Do not let success make you absent from the everyday grind your team faces.

3. Embracing Your Leadership Style

Not every leader needs to be loud, charismatic, or extroverted. Leadership comes in many forms.

Quiet leaders who listen, reflect, and guide can have an enormous impact.

Some lead by example, showing consistency and integrity in every action.

Others inspire through teaching, coaching, or problem solving behind the scenes.

The key is to recognize your style, own it, and lean into it. Trying to be someone you are not creates friction. Authenticity is a force multiplier.

4. Leading Without Saying Much

If talking is not your go to, you can still lead. Actions, consistency, and clarity speak volumes.

Set clear expectations through examples and routines.

Use written communication thoughtfully. Texts, notes, or shared plans can carry influence.

Give recognition in ways that feel natural, whether privately or publicly.

Leadership is not about how loud you are. It is about the weight of your presence and the impact of your actions.

Putting LEAD Into Action

Leadership is a journey, not a state. You will lead differently when you are struggling than when you are excelling, and that is okay. You will lead differently for others too, and that is a strength. The most important thing is showing up authentically for your team every day.

One way to make this practical is to use the LEAD framework to discover and apply your leadership style consistently:

L – Listen first: Pay attention to your team’s needs, ideas, and concerns. Listening builds trust and helps you understand how to show up most effectively.

E – Evaluate your strengths: Reflect on how you naturally lead. Do you inspire through example, through teaching, or by quiet guidance? Understanding your style allows you to lean into it.

A – Act intentionally: Once you know your style, plan your actions. Decide how you will respond to challenges, celebrate wins, and support teammates. Make your leadership consistent, even in small moments.

D – Document and reflect: Keep a simple journal or log of situations where your leadership had an impact and where you could improve. Over time, this reflection strengthens your self-awareness and sharpens your ability to lead in any season.

By following LEAD, you turn self-awareness into action. You will learn your natural way to lead, refine it through experience, and always show up for your team authentically, whether you are struggling or excelling.

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To dive deeper into the mental game and master your performance under pressure, learn more about this topic at Dr. Drew Brazier’s YouTube.