Great leaders are instantly recognizable because they are different, in a good way.‍If you want to become a great leader, you’ll need to be ready to forge your own path. But that doesn’t mean you have to go it alone.

In any sport, the value of teammates goes well beyond just having a group of people to play. Learning how to utilize the value of great teammates can change the trajectory of an athlete’s entire career and in turn their whole life.

From around 15 years old and under, children require a specific type of external motivation, guidance, and encouragement that just isn’t needed for older teens and young adults.‍ Coaches and parents of this age group will be familiar with the frustration of trying to get the balance “just right” to keep kids engaged in sports.

When your personal brand is focused on your core values and what is important to you, it can help to develop the sense of meaning, purpose, and direction that are essential to achieving big goals, and finding fulfillment in sports and life.

Albert Pujols explains how having a team focus promotes individual success.