At the core of leadership is your character. Your ability to lead depends on how much others trust you. In officiating, trust is built through integrity, consistency, and a willingness to serve others. This sublesson focuses on developing strong character and embracing a servant leadership mindset.

Character is the Foundation of Leadership

A great leader has above average character. You should understand that there are no perfect people, and people in leadership positions will always draw criticism. However, the people who know your best should trust your character.

If you don’t have good character:

• You cannot expect others to trust you
• Your leadership will be limited

Integrity Builds Trust

Have integrity. Integrity means:

• Doing the right thing even when no one is watching
• Being honest in your actions and communication
• Being consistent in your behavior

In officiating, this shows up as:

• Calling the game fairly
• Owning your decisions
• Treating everyone with respect

Understanding Servant Leadership