Ben’s a real leader... but he can’t do it all alone

SINCE the 2016 Rio Olympics I have been lucky enough to be asked many times to speak on leadership and how elite teams operate well.

If my schedule allows, I jump on these opportunities because it’s a subject matter that was so crucial in the most defining moment of my hockey career and that of my team-mates.

The leadership from our coach Danny Kerry and our captain Kate Richardsonwalsh was vital in us reaching the heights we did.

But the reality is that you need various levels of leadership throughout an elite team – in fact you need a team of leaders.

Without the right leadership structure within a team, it will never achieve what it should – regardless of how much individual brilliance you have.

Ben Stokes was announced last week as England’s new Test captain. And, as ever with announcements like this one, social media was awash with whether he was the right man for the job.

I might not be a cricket expert... but I do feel I can identify a true leader, and Stokes is most definitely that.

There are three key elements to this for me.

Your captain has to be a certainty on the team sheet and Stokes is a player who would get in any international XI in the world.

Your captain has to be able to inspire and Stokes has that in spades as a player.

Your captain has to create mutual respect with teammates and this quote from Stokes answers that: “A leader needs to make sure other people around them feel valued and a voice. I will be using that and not thinking I can do everything.”

There is no question in my mind that Stokes can lead the England Test team successfully, but there are some important ‘buts’.

He is going to need a huge amount of support from his team-mates.

Like I said earlier, successful teams need multiple leaders who are willing to take responsibility.

Without this, everything falls on the shoulders of the captain and while they are also concentrating on being one of the best players on the pitch, this is too much.

This will be paramount to an all-rounder like Ben.

He will need his teammates to step up at times to allow him the freedom to win games purely off his own bat or with ball in hand.

Equally, Stokes will need massive backing from the support staff. The demands on his body are already significant and as a captain they need him to be fit.

How he is managed physically will be crucial as a captaincy interrupted by constant injuries will be very difficult. He will also need a mental break at certain points – otherwise it will all be far too much for him.

He will need the support staff to manage other players, even take the lead on tactical analysis off the pitch at times. The head coach’s role will also be vital to any future England success.

Ben Stokes can be an excellent captain.

But he certainly can’t do it all on his own.