People follow champions. Often champions are unexpected. They are small and overlooked but when they rise to the challenge, others take notice. Becoming a champion for your cause is a great way to grow in your leadership influence.

Here are four important points to understand about being a champion:

1.    Champions overcome obstacles
A basic component of being a champion is having a “never quit” attitude. All of us face obstacles in life. We don’t make a sports team. We have a sickness or a disability. We have a bad family life. Champions look at these obstacles to make them-selves stronger. They never give up.

2.    Champions go beyond their limitations
Champions don’t recognize limitations that would stop normal people. In the movie Rudy, we see a young man who should have never been playing college football. He was too small. He could have easily let this limitation stop him from reaching his dreams. He chose instead to go beyond his limitations. He stepped outside his comfort zone and became a champion.

3.    Champions achieve the unexpected
Because they go beyond their limitations and overcome obstacles, champions achieve the unexpected. We rally around people who reach for more and accomplish what no one thought possible. When a team needs to reach an impossible goal, they turn to a champion.

4.    Champions carry their team
Teams need champions to help them do the impossible. When the chips are down, it is a champion who motivates us to keep trying. Every team needs a champion because sooner or later every team wants to give up. It is in the moments of despair that champions shine. They personally lift their team to new heights and empower others to reach beyond themselves.