Leadership Development at Waukesha West
LC23: STARTS WITH YOU, ENDS WITH US
The 2023 Waukesha West Athletic Leadership Conference took place on March 16, 2023. Our theme of "Starts With YOU, Ends With US" focused on the winning choices that Champions ultimately make. If we can move to make enough winning choices, our teams, our school, and all that we strive for will be in a position to grow and succeed. Special guest Travis Daugherty, founder of Champions 101, shared the vision of a champion, and how to allow your "inner champion" to have the last say in what you do and who you are. Student leaders added to this learning by leading seminars for the topics of Starts With You, Handling Pressure, Communication, and Building Others Up! Katherine Adamek, with Fix Your Mindset, encouraged positive self talk from all of our student-athletes. Teams then came together to openly discuss the challenges that pose the greatest obstacles to their goals, and what the Winning Choices would be to overcome those pivotal moments. These amazing student-leaders are now tasked with taking this important learning back to their full teams and helping everyone to act like a Champion!
LC22: WE ARE
On Thursday, March 17th, over 225 student leaders attended the 10th annual Waukesha West Athletic Leadership Conference! Attendees were able to attend breakout sessions centered around the conference theme of "WE ARE". As proud Wolverine leaders, our goal is to understand our role as Communicators, 24/7 Leaders, Superfans, and Ready/Focused/Strong. While gathering with teammates, students were then asked to craft a team creed highlighting who they are and who they want to be collectively going forward!
LC21: Revive the Culture
On Thursday, March 11th, over 225 student-athletes attended the 9th Annual Waukesha West Athletics Leadership Conference. At LC21, students learned about how their leadership has the power to "REVIVE THE CULTURE" of our athletic department after a unique and challenging year. Student leaders hosted seminars including "Mental Toughness", "Leaving a Legacy", "SuperFans: Run It Back", and "Willing to Be First". Grade level groupings took part in our Building a Winning Culture progression of courses: 9th-"Aspiring Wolverines", 10th-"Building Your Captain Resume", 11th-"Becoming a Vocal Leader", and 12th-"Leadership in the Real World". Our leaders then gathered as teams, demonstrated critical thinking and self-reflection, and then crafted "Success Formulas" for their programs - IF they are able to control certain factors relative to relationships and performance within their teams, THEN they believe they will be closer to achieving big goals!
LC21
LC20: ALL IN
On Thursday, March 5th, over 220 student-athletes attended the 8th Annual Waukesha West Athletics Leadership Conference. At LC20, the theme of "ALL IN" was selected by the student planning committee as a signal to their peers that effective leadership is a commitment that deserves and demands our focus and attention. Throughout the day, students completed a program assessment that determined which type of culture currently exists within their program based on the work of sport leadership expert, Jeff Janssen. With that reflection in mind, attendees took part in student-led seminars including "Managing Team Chemistry Through Adversity", "Results Matter", "Selecting Your Captain", and "Servant Leadership". Grade level training throughout the day set the stage for students to analyze themselves as leaders and consider growth steps: 9th-"Aspiring Wolverines", 10th-"Building Your Captain Resume", 11th-"Becoming a Vocal Leader", and 12th-"Leadership in the Real World". As teams assembled with added leadership tools, action plans were developed so that teams could improve the relational and results-based cultures of their programs while also being intentional about avoid "culture killers". The current skill and future growth of Waukesha West's student-leaders help to paint a bright future for the Wolverines!
LC19: CREATE THE CULTURE
On March 7th, 2019, more than 200 Waukesha West student-athletes and coaches joined together for LC19: The 7th Annual Waukesha West Athletics Leadership Conference. With the theme of "Create the Culture", this student-led leadership training aimed to develop and empower young leaders to make a positive difference within their athletic programs and beyond. Underclassmen participated in an "Aspiring Wolverines" training discussing the key elements of leading by example: character, commitment, composure, and confidence, as outlined by Jeff Janssen and his Sport Leadership Center. Upperclassmen attending the "Leading a Championship Culture" training focused on becoming a vocal leader through encouragement and enforcement, among other helpful tips from Janssen's work. Other activities of the day included student-led seminars about "Leading Without a Title", "Managing Team Chemistry Through Adversity", and "SuperFan 3.0". During Team Time, programs were asked to reflect about the current culture of their program, identify three core covenants they want their program to be known for, and finally describe what those core covenants will look like, sound like, and feel like to all team members and observers. We hope this is only the beginning of creating a culture of leadership at West High School for years to come.
LC18: GOOD TODAY, BETTER TOMORROW
On Thursday, March 15th, 2018, over 180 student-athletes attended the 6th Annual Waukesha West Athletics Leadership Conference. Head coaches were asked to nominate two athletes per grade level to experience a full day of leadership training and development. Students heard from guest speaker, Rob Vite, who is a cancer survivor and current West football assistant coach. Coach Vite's message of "What's Your Why?" was powerful and launched the group into gender breakout sessions examining their roles in bringing positive change to West HS. For the afternoon, student-led breakouts were offered to reinforce the conference theme of "Good Today, Better Tomorrow". Topics included Practice & Preparation, Leading Without a Title, Overcoming Adversity, Creating Connections, Sportsmanship, and Ambassadors Off of the Field. Teams then reunited to discuss their learning from the breakouts with the intent of crafting action plans ready to deliver to head coaches. To bring the conference to a close, every grade level was recognized by the conference's student-leaders during our Pass the Torch Ceremony, encouraging all attendees to lead in a manner worthy of being followed!
LC17: Future Starts Today
On February 23, 2017, over 180 Waukesha West student-athletes joined together for the 5th annual West Athletics Leadership Conference, held at RiverGlen Church. After enjoying the competition of a lip sync battle, students were led through discussions and reflection with the help of keynote speaker, Matt Gifford. Students were able to study leadership and analyze current issues as gender groups, grade level groups, and as athletic programs. The afternoon included student-led breakouts, and our continued tradition of "passing the torch" to finish the day. Leaders expressed that they were excited, equipped, and willing to take on the risk of leadership, and bring positive change to our athletic program!
Student-Athlete Leadership Conference 2016: We've Got the Power
On March 17, 2016, over 150 Waukesha West student-athletes attended the 4th annual West Athletics Leadership Conference at RiverGlen Church. Students worked through team building exercises, participated in seminars regarding relevant leadership topics, created action plans for their programs, and joined together for the "Pass the Torch" ceremony to close the day. We are excited to see our culture of leadership move from a one day event into a way of life at West High School through empowering student-athlete leadership!
Leadership "Deep Dive" 2015
On September 17, 2015, 50 Waukesha West student-athlete leaders traveled to Phantom Lake YMCA Camp to "dive in" to leadership training. Throughout the day, students discussed topics including "What is a Leader?", "The "Waukesha West Challenge", and the concept of legacy building at West HS. Every program created action steps to bring back to coaches and athletes so that the Tradition of Leadership at Waukesha West can be launched forward this school year!
Student-Athlete Leadership Conference 2015: You Have Been Chosen
Waukesha West Athletics hosted over 125 student-athletes on March 17, 2015 for the 3rd Annual Waukesha West Student-Athlete Leadership Conference. Students were invited with the mindset that they "have been chosen" by their coaches and peers to lead their programs. Students embarked on the process of discussing a code of excellence, examining growth areas within their own teams, and finally considering student-led leadership structures that they could propose to their coaches. A group of twelve seniors who embody the essence of a student leadership took charge for the day, demonstrating the power of student to student influence. Plans are already in place to help the ideas generated at the conference come to life in our programs. Great work, LEADERS!
Student-Athlete Leadership Conferences 2014
In May 2014, selected male and female athletes took part in separate conferences at Waukesha West HS. During our times together, we discussed the idea of Student-Athletes "Built for Others". In order to have this approach individually, it is important for our students to understand the "Wolverine Privilege", and the honor of participation in West Athletics. Our Wolverine Privilege is based upon caring relationships, others-centered motivations, and disciplined intensity. We believe that a focus on these principles will not only develop togetherness and values that lead to competitive success, but also equip our students with life skills that will shape their next steps after graduation.
Student-Athlete Leadership Retreat 2013: I Accept!
In May of 2013, over 100 student-athletes and coaches traveled to Phantom Lake YMCA camp for a day of leadership training and development. Our guest speakers, Troy Maragos, Luke Swan, and Bryan Roe, took advantage of the opportunity to teach, equip, and challenge our students to take the next step as leaders. This day was designed to be a launching pad for future leadership development at West High School, so we look forward to what this year will hold for our student-athletes!
Leadership Quotes
Getting better is not for everyone - and neither is winning. - Jeremy Boone
Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another. -John C. Maxwell
Good is the enemy of GREAT. - Jim Collins
Spend time improving your character rather than your reputation. - Bryan Roe
Be the kind of teammate your teammates need you to be. - Alan Williams
Nothing Just Happens. - Chris Maragos
Be Uncommon. - Luke Swan
Humility is not thinking less of self - it is thinking of self less. -C.S. Lewis
Everyone wins when leaders get better! -Bill Hybels
Vision is the most important weapon in a leader's arsonal. -Bill Hybels
Leaders move people from here to there. -Bill Hybels
Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it. -Colin Powell
Leadership is intentional influence. -Joseph Grenny
If you are not in the arena, fighting the fight with me, then I am not interested in nor open to your feedback. -Dr. Brene Brown
In the end, as a leader, you are always going to get a combination of two things: What you CREATE, and what you ALLOW. -Dr. Henry Cloud
Goals measure us, Purpose moves us. -Mark Hull