Traditions of Excellence: Brandi Hawkins #TEAM-FIRST

Hi Lehigh Fam! For our last post in the "Traditions of Excellence" series we will take a look into how softball senior, Brandi Hawkins perceives a "team-first" mentality. Brandi is beloved by so many on campus and I have had the privilege of calling her my teammate and best friend these past four years. Please enjoy our final Q&A with Brandi about what it means to be an inclusive and selfless leader!

Much love,
Wags

Wags: How do you define team-first?
Brandi: Being as selfless of a player as possible. That means no matter how you are performing, the team's performance is what you consider to be the most important. For example if you aren't playing well and you get taken out, taking that as a positive for the team to win the game rather than a negative that you just got pulled.

Wags: Why do you feel so compelled to advocate a team-first attitude?
Brandi: The team and the sport are bigger than you. You are working towards one goal with other people. Teamwork and sense of community matter so much because you can't win a game by yourself. No one can do it alone.

Wags: How would you define inclusive leadership?
Brandi: Using every aspect of the team and incorporating it into my style of leadership. This means learning from my teammates and using them to help me become a better leader. This also shows the underclassmen how to be a good leader which results in leaving a legacy of leaders.

Wags: What do you think is the difference between a role model and a mentor?
Brandi: A role model is someone you look up to but you don't necessarily have direct contact with. For example, when I was little my role model was Jenny Finch even though I never actually had a conversation with her. However, a mentor is part of your intimate community and is someone that you can go to at any point in time for advice or help.

Wags: How do you balance taking care/leading yourself while taking care/leading your team?
Brandi: Taking care of myself helps me better take care of the team. For example, being unstable emotionally or physically won't allow me to lead as well because I, myself, am not in good shape. I believe leading selflessly comes from taking care of myself first, like getting the right amount of sleep before a game, in order to have a good mindset to make the team better that day.

Wags: A captain's job is sometimes to be a liaison between your coach and your teammates. How do you go about being an effective liaison?
Brandi: I mean it's really not an easy job. For me, being a liaison from the team to coach is much easier. Talking to coach is one on one and seems to come easier because I only have one person to react to and communicate with during that situation. Taking what coach says to the team is harder because there are 17 other opinions and reactions that I have to account for. It has to be a constant dialogue back and forth in order for communication to be effective. I've learned everyone has different personalities so it's my job to learn the best ways to communicate with those different personalities. As a captain and leader, I have to know my teammates in order to effectively communicate with everyone.

Wags: Is there a quote that inspires team-first?
Brandi: "Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life's deepest joy; true fulfillment." Anthony Robbins

Lehigh University Athletics

Traditions of Excellence: Brandi Hawkins #TEAM-FIRST

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