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SEPTEMBER 2017 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM // 27 At the NTDP, we remind the boys that a humble attitude is one of the most important qualities to develop. They need to remember that every day they are surrounded by other talented individuals and thus need to appreciate and respect everyone. Be a Leader & Professional Some people are born leaders, other have to develop those skills. The best way for young players to improve their leadership skills and act as a professional is to focus on the '10 things to be' in addition to taking responsibility for their development. It is good practice to regularly set goals, devise strategies to achieve those goals and recognize that achieving those goals rests on their shoulders. As goals are achieved through hard work and a professional attitude, leadership skills tend to emerge in all aspects of life. Be Appropriate Being appropriate is a skill every- one can work on. Recognizing where you are and with whom you are interacting is important. A funny story or joke in the locker room will likely not carry the same level of humor in Chemistry class. Recognizing the proper time and place for fun, criticism, expressing personal views, making commentary and good natured teasing is a skill that everyone needs to develop in order to avoid drama and unnecessary conflict. Be Proactive On a team, it is everyone's responsibility to look out for one another, to proactively make decisions rather than waiting to react to a situation, to be leaders and have a level of awareness that will enable smart decision making and keep everyone safe. Be Helpful Every other year, I invite a retired NHL player to address our play- ers. His personal story and mes- sage is powerful. At the end of his presentation, he emphasizes the importance of being a good teammate and friend. His mes- sage goes beyond the everyday interaction of a team and stress- es the importance of being good to one another. He tells his story so that the players can recognize that they are not infallible, they are not beyond making mistakes, and that they are responsible for their actions and must help each other whenever possible. Be a Good Teammate He talks to the guys about recognizing situations that could lead to trouble, about taking the lead and guiding a teammate away from potential conflict, and how being a good friend is not always easy but it is always the right thing to do. Being successful does not come without planning and hard work. Having said that, I do believe that all young people have the opportunity to achieve success if they develop healthy habits to use as tools as they work to achieve their goals. P – Lisa Vollmers Accredited. College-Prep. Online. Protect Your NCAA Eligibility e University of Nebraska is an equal opportunity educator and employer. highschool.nebraska.edu (402) 472-3388 NCAA-approved courses online. BEING A GOOD TEAMMATE MEANS PICKING UP EACH OTHER IN GOOD TIMES AND BAD. THINGS TO BE