Wearing the “C”

My favorite professional ice hockey team, the Philadelphia Flyers, were unceremoniously bounced from the second round of the National Hockey League’s Eastern Division playoffs on Friday night by the team they came from behind to beat in last year’s division finals, the Boston Bruins. We were swept in four games and outscored 20 to 7 in the series. As a preseason pick to play for the Stanley Cup the outcome was a major disappointment. The next few weeks will feature plenty of analysis about what went wrong; those with more hockey expertise than I are already weighing in. My attention is focused on the guy wearing a “C” on his jersey.

A sports team captain is frequently an honorary designation, but can have responsibility for strategy and teamwork during the game. It is a position generally equated with respect and leadership, as recognized by one’s peers. In the NHL, a captain is the only player allowed to speak with referees about rule interpretations, is considered a dressing room leader, may represent the player’s concerns to management, and is the primary team representative to the public. Frequently the captain is expected to motivate his teammates during a game.

Which brings me to Flyers’ captain, Mike Richards. He has been the team captain since the start of the 2008-09 season and is known for his physical style of play on the ice. While Richards  has been a star since his NHL debut in 2005, his stint as captain has been less successful. Last season Richards and the Philadelphia media feuded for most of the year before the team embarked on its remarkable run to the Stanley Cup finals, a performance that drew comparisons to former team captain Bobby Clarke.

Serving in a leadership role, even in sports, is a challenging and often thankless job. A leader is constantly in the spotlight and often under scrutiny if performance wanes. They are expected to model behavior that sets a positive example for employees and teammates. Leadership requires courage to overcome adversity and admit failure. Leaders must know what motivates others and when to extend grace or empathy.

As Flyers captain, Richards has appeared to evade many of these leadership attributes. In the weeks preceding the playoffs his team’s performance was alarmingly inconsistent yet he showed no leadership in addressing the situation. A rally during the playoff’s first round could have sparked better play against Boston but in one week’s time the season was over.

Wearing the “C” can feel like a burden, a fact that Richards sometimes implies during his post-game interviews. A team or company committed to long-term success must have leadership willing to play a decisive role. That doesn’t always happen on the ice or in a company meeting. Effective leaders quietly change hearts and minds through their influential relationships. They are willing to be a public voice even when they don’t relish the spotlight. This off-season Richards and the Flyers may need to revisit his role as captain. What might your team have to say about your leadership? Are you deserving of that “C” you’re wearing?