Nick Maxwell, former premiership winning captain of the Collingwood Football Club, is a testament to the power of perseverance and learning from setbacks.
Maxwell faced numerous challenges and obstacles throughout his career, but his ability to stay resilient and grow from those experiences ultimately helped him become a better player and leader.
As is the plight of an aspiring professional athlete, Nick’s road to the AFL was plagued by setbacks and course changes. When he was 10 years old, he had set himself a Plan A and a Plan B. Plan A was to play in the AFL. Plan B was to play the highest level footy he could, but have another career ticking along.
His winding story to even getting drafted is one that is grounded in resilience and perseverance. With opportunities and setbacks, he mentally shifted between Plan A and Plan B. But eventually, Nick’s hard work led him to Collingwood Football Club. (Plan A was on!)
Maxwell’s resilience and ability to learn from setbacks also made him a valuable leader both on and off the field. He led by example, always working hard and setting a high standard for himself and his teammates. He also knew how to support and encourage his teammates, helping them learn from their own setbacks and grow as players and people.
He talks about leadership as being about displaying and broadcasting positive behaviour. You don’t have to be captain of Collingwood to be a leader. It’s about taking initiative and doing good.
“Whenever I see behaviours that I appreciate, I love, inspire me, or I want to see more of, I tell people. I call it out.”
In the end, Maxwell’s perseverance paid off. He was named captain of the Collingwood Football Club in 2009 and led the team to a premiership victory in 2010. He retired from the AFL in 2014, but his legacy as a determined and resilient player and leader lives on.
Nick Maxwell’s story is a powerful reminder that setbacks and challenges are opportunities for growth and learning. By staying resilient and open to feedback, we can develop the skills and mindset needed to overcome obstacles and achieve our goals.
