AYSO should be fun for everyone!

22013

Keep Calm and Carry OnA Rx for Leadership Stress

Leadership can be a heavy burden.

Volunteer leadership can generate high levels of anxiety and stress.

Let’s identify and define leadership stress.

Offer creative, practical and innovative methods to deal with leadership stress before . . .

32013

Who are AYSO’s “Leaders?”

Regional Commissioners, Regional Coach/Referee Administrators, Board Members, Coaches, Referees . . .

42013

What Qualities Define a Leader?

52013

What Qualities Define a Leader?Volunteer Leadership Qualities Key Words

Team Manager (problem solver)

Referee (settles interpersonal conflicts)

Goalkeeper (ensures goals are met)

Equipment Coord. (finds and manages resources)

Visionary (plans ahead)

Firefighter (puts out everyday fires)

Motivator (Pollyanna Activity Leader)

Drill Sergeant (Keeps Group On Track/Calendars)

Counselor (reports/helps with personnel issues)

Striker (risk taker, outside-the-box)

Coach (“expert” who thinks they know “everything”)62013

In AYSO, what kinds of situations

can cause stress?

72013

Stress Triggers

• Spectators yelling at referees• Not enough coaches or referees• Difficult parents• Negative Regional Board Members• Volunteers who don’t do their jobs• Balanced team problems• Procrastination

82013

13 Strategies to Keep Leadership Stress Under Control

92013

1. Identify high priority items first.

2. Avoid spending too much time on less important items.

3. Use calendaring skills to budget for larger events.

4. Develop simple rating system to assess priorities.

Prioritize

102013

1. Weed out those tasks that are not productive.

Sort

2. Do not add to your “to-do” list without completing, removing and reducing items on your current list.

112013

1. Challenge is a key part of leadership; it helps us keep up our creativity and competitiveness.

Remain Positive

2. Thinking positively will do a lot to ward-off stress-producing negativity.

122013

Rules of Thumb for Successful Delegation

1. Know what to delegate.2. Be picky with who you choose.3. Check for understanding.4. Allow for frequent progress reports.5. Support the volunteer.

132013

Stay Active

Exercise is a great mechanism to control anger, depression and other elements of leadership stress.

What are some exercises you think would be effective?

142013

Organize Yourself

1. Clean up your desk/workspace.

2. Sort and organize computer data files.

3. Group or classify your email and cell phone contacts.

152013

Talk Out Tough Issues

1. Sharing “war stories” can relieve unwanted tension.

2. Keep your volunteer responsibilities in perspective.

3. Try not to “dump” too many stress-related concerns on the home front.

162013

If someone around you is causing you a lot of stress, stop and talk it over.

Be Honest

172013

Scenario 1: An RC talking to an RRA who’s negative and always late.

Scenario 2: A coach trying to convince a parent not to yell at the referees.

Scenario 3: An RCA dealing with a coach who refuses to attend training.

Give it a Try

182013

When leadership stress becomes overwhelming or you are feeling stressed...

Reflection

schedule some time to relax and reflect..

192013

Don’t overextend yourself! Balance your life with work, AYSO, family, friends and hobbies.

Maintain a Balance

What do you do for fun?

202013

Control Contact Time

Set hours to be on-the-job. Communicate these hours to your Regional Board Members.

Stick to it - and train those around you to respect your “off hours”.

212013

Clarity is Key

S.M.A.R.T. goals keep volunteers motivated and energized.

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Realistic

Timely

Write down your goals and regularly evaluate them.

222013

Have Fun!

Humor makes our perspective more positive and help us deal with challenges in a more constructive way.

Laughter:

•Connects us with others.

•Detracts focus from anger, guilt or stress.

•Is contagious and reduces stress levels.

IT JUST MIGHT CATCH ON!232013

Thank you

242013