The Balancing Act of Loyalty When Navigating Your Athlete Career.
Written by Asha Philip
When we think about high performance athletes & teams, loyalty plays a unique and intricate role in the development of individual athletes (and the teams they belong to). It's a complex mixture between staying committed to those who've nurtured your growth and being willing to explore new avenues for improvement. The journey of building a successful team is like sailing a ship through uncharted waters, where the captain must understand when to be loyal and follow / trust the process they’ve been doing, and when to take charge of their own destiny… in short its tough and can be complicated. But let’s discuss!
The Bonds of Loyalty
Loyalty is a foundational pillar that holds team relationships together. As athletes we create deep connections with our coaches, teammates, agents, and support staff as they weather the highs and lows of their careers. The mutual trust built over years of can be irreplaceable at time - especially as we know this journey is difficult at times... So loyalty is a testament to the journey that's been shared, where your team invests time and energy to support our development.
The Quest for Self-Improvement
However, the pursuit of excellence often demands us to constantly evaluate and evolve our skills. This is where the delicate balance between loyalty and self-improvement comes into play. Athletes should be open to exploring new strategies, techniques, and even environments if they feel it aligns better with their aspirations.
At The Athlete Gateway we like to talk about being the CEO of your career. And like a CEO constantly seeks ways to optimize their company's performance, athletes need to act as the CEO of their own careers, making strategic decisions that pave the way for success. But a key point which shouldn’t be missed, is that a great CEO never truly acts alone, they lean on the trusted team around them to help make the best and most informed decisions as they chase their goals.
The Dilemma of Decision-Making: Choosing Loyalty or Change
The crossroads of loyalty and change can be a challenging area to navigate. Athletes might find themselves facing decisions that could define their futures – sticking with the team that's nurtured them or venturing into uncharted waters to seek greater opportunities. There's no one-size-fits-all answer. What's crucial, however, is that these decisions are made with respect and integrity. Communicating openly with coaches, teammates, agents and mentors is essential in this process, ensuring that all parties understand the reasoning behind the choice or the change. As difficult as it may seem at the time, change is the only constant - but it doesn’t mean you burn bridges.
Respect and Integrity: The True Way
In conclusion, the athlete journey and the team you build around you is a combination of loyalty, self-improvement, and tough decisions. Ultimately, there's no right or wrong path, but a continuous play for growth and excellence. Regardless of the choices made, operating with respect and integrity is the priority. Respecting the team or individual(s) that have been a part of your journey and the individuals who've supported you along the way is a reflection to the character of a true athlete.
You can only control your actions, so even if you need to make that change for what you feel is best for your career…(and remember it is YOUR career!) be sure to communicate in the most respectful way.