• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Learning From Leaders


This is posted as part of our Summer Intern Blog Series. Be sure to come back each week as interns from around the country share their summer experiences with us!

By: Kelly Cartner, @kellyfavre4

With doing so many different jobs this summer, I have worked with a vast amount of different bosses and leaders in the last few months. Throughout my career, I have also had the privilege of working for managers I both like and dislike. As I have worked with these different people, I have been able to create a list of the type of leader I would like to be.

First, I choose my words carefully when describing a boss and a leader. In my own opinion, I see a boss as someone who just tells me what to do all the time and I see a manager as someone who manages people or a business, but is taking orders from someone else. However, a leader to me is a person who is willing to teach their staff new skills, invest their time into their staff and who is also willing to put in the hard work it takes to get tasks done.

I strive to be the best leader I can be. With the student staff I work with now, I have explained to them my philosophy on these different positions and will politely correct them if they refer to me as their boss. I want to be an educator for them and provide them with the tools to be successful in life no matter what their aspirations are. I have the privilege of working with college students who have their whole lives ahead of them, which means I also have the opportunity of helping them be the best people they can be.

When working the USTA tournament and within our athletic department, there are two leaders that have already made an impact on me. With the senior administrator I work with in athletics, he has put his trust in me to take on brand new projects that require working with the coaches on staff along with other departments on campus who often collaborate with our athletic department. He listens to ideas I have and has even implemented those ideas because I have found more efficient ways to help the department run a little smoother.

The other leader that has inspired me is the tennis coach and tournament director from the USTA tournament. The days before the tournament when it was just myself and one facility personnel setting up for the event, the tournament director was right there with us helping us set up even though it was well out of his job description. Instead of telling us what needed to be done, he was helping us with the tasks and doing just as much manual labor. I look at situations like that and I see a leader who is willing to put in the hard work and gain the respect of his staff. This truly motivated me to work even harder and showed me examples of how I want to lead my staff.

Another example he set for me was his willingness to ask my opinion and thoughts on how to best run certain aspects of the tournament. Although he has organized tons of tournaments, he asked for what I thought the best way to set up and run certain areas such as the player check-in and volunteer booth. This showed me that he valued my thoughts, respected and trusted me, and also still had the desire to learn more about his line of work.

There are many other positive qualities I learned from him over the week including his patience, work ethic and problem solving skills that I plan on implementing into my everyday life to improve my leadership qualities.

We can learn a lot from others. Not only can we learn from the positive attributes from those we work with, but we can also pick up on the types of leaders we don’t want to be if things go downhill.

Think about those you have enjoyed working for and identify their qualities that you admired to help you become the best leader you can be.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 5, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees smiles prior to the game against the New York Giants at Caesars Superdome.

Drew Brees Flag Football League Sells to PE Amid Youth Boom

Football ‘N’ America operates 24 flag football leagues across the country.
Christie's

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.

Blue Jays $280M Payroll Pays Off With a Trip to the World..

Toronto is back in the Fall Classic for the first time in 32 years.
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl talks with his players against the Florida Gators in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.

Bruce Pearl: ‘The One Thing’ I Miss About Coaching

FOS interviewed ex-Auburn coach on his move to TNT Sports.

Featured Today

@chef__tezz/Instagram

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
October 16, 2025

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Woodi Washington (5) runs after a reception during the Armed Forces Bowl football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Navy Midshipmen at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024.
August 19, 2025

Oklahoma Selling Fans Tickets to Press Conferences

Press conference tickets for the Sooners’ season opener are already sold out.
September 3, 2025

Ohio State–Texas Showdown Was Most-Watched Week 1 CFB Game Ever

Fox drew 16.62 million viewers on Saturday afternoon.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
August 11, 2025

NBA Christmas Schedule Leans on LeBron, Steph While Betting on Flagg

The Lakers, Warriors, and Rockets are all in action.
August 10, 2025

Bears CEO: Arlington Heights Only Local Location for New Stadium

The Bears currently play in Soldier Field in downtown Chicago.
August 8, 2025

Three Schools Sue Mountain West, Commish Over Withheld Funds

Boise State, Colorado State, and Utah State intensified the court battle.
Courtesy: Harlem Globetrotters
July 25, 2025

The Harlem Globetrotters Have Changed Hands Repeatedly, but Keep Making Money

The team is gearing up for its 100th season.