Successful coaches have and model persistence. All cues for how the team will respond are taken from _____.

• A. experience
• B. talent
• C. strategy
• D. leadership

Answer: (D)

Leadership sets the tone for how a team behaves. Players look to the coach as the model for how to act under pressure, handle setbacks, and stay committed—so the behaviors they imitate come from the leader’s example. When a coach consistently demonstrates persistence, it sends a clear cue that perseverance is valued and expected, shaping the team’s responses in practice and competition. Experience, talent, and strategy matter for performance, but they don’t provide the same social guidance about everyday conduct and resilience that leadership does. In short, the team’s attitudes and reactions are largely learned from the leader’s behavior, making leadership the source of those cues.