Evan Longoria is an all-star third baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays. Having been an excellent player for a number of years he has become their leader both on and off the field.

In a recent article he and manager Joe Maddon discussed some of the burdens Evan faces as the leader of the team. I’ve never thought of leadership as carrying burdens; I’d rather think of it as the opportunities of leadership:

1. Being up when you are down.
2. Picking others up when they are down.
3. Doing the right thing when it’s easy to do the wrong thing.
4. Being respectful when your instinct is to do the opposite.
5. Getting after it when you feel drained.
6. Making changes when staying the course is comfortable.
7. Doing what you have asked others to do.
8. Speaking softly when you’d rather make a lot of noise.
9. Making a lot of noise when you’d rather speak softly.
10. Showing up early when you know you can come in late.
11. Making tough decisions that others can’t and won’t make.
12. Delegating authority so others may learn and grow.

What great opportunities you have as a leader. That’s all I’m gonna say, Tommy Gibbs