In his sixth season as captain, Jobe Watson has leant that leadership is not up to one person alone.
Taking over as captain following Matthew Lloyd’s retirement in 2009, Watson has grown as a leader both on and off the field playing an integral role in keeping the team united during a difficult time in the club’s history.
Watson has learnt a lot over the years, particularly the need for communication realising that, despite his best attempts, it is impossible for the captain to be everywhere at once.
While Watson does want to be able to be approached by any player on the list he relies heavily on the entire leadership group to be available to address the concerns of the team.
“Every player in your group should feel comfortable that they could go to you for a one-on-one conversation,” Watson told the team from Triple M’s ‘Deadset Legends’
“To know what everyone is doing can be sometimes difficult (and) I think it’s alleviated by having a leadership group.
“You have more people in there with more personalities and normally there’s someone in there who has a strong connection with a different area of the team that you perhaps don’t.”
The club this year voted in an extended leadership group consisting of Cale Hooker, David Myers, Dyson Heppell, David Zaharakis, Paul Chapman, Brendon Goddard and Brent Stanton. The diversity in the group shows that the club is serious about meeting the needs of all players and creating an open environment where all players can feel comfortable.
Building friendships throughout the club has also been a primary focus of Watson during his time. He, however, has also learnt the importance of maintaining a level of professionalism for when serious conversations are required.
“There are sometimes when you sit there and you’ve got to give your friends a whack or you’ve got to discipline them,” said Watson
“That comes with the responsibility of the role.
“If you’re not prepared to do that you do a disservice to the role and you do a disservice to the people that you’re leading.”
Set to run out in his 200th game on Sunday afternoon against the Saints, Watson’s strength as a player, leader and teammate are underwritten by one simple principle.
“You’ve got to be yourself, you can’t pretend because people see through it straight away,”
“You’ve got to be able to just be out there and comfortable with who you are.
“You’ve got to make the tough decisions, you’ve got to make the tough calls and people appreciate that more in the long run.”
