Watching ‘Cheer’ Will Make You a Better Leader
As cheerleading coaches like Monica Aldama know, mentorship isn’t about being nice
The new Netflix docuseries Cheer, which follows Navarro College’s cheerleading squad in pursuit of its 14th National Championship, has become an instant hit for the same reason many docuseries do: Real life makes for good drama. Add in extreme athletic competition, heartbreaking backstories, actual body-breaking injury, and the push-and-pull of finding an identity during young adulthood, and you’ve got something downright addicting.
But voyeurism isn’t the only reason to watch Cheer. Like other fans of the show, I’m kind of obsessed with Navarro head coach Monica Aldama, whose actions each episode can be read as a master class in getting results for those who look up to you. Cheer is a show that will entertain you, sure, but it also contains some powerful lessons on how to live a more determined, focused, and fulfilled life — and how to help others do the same.
Remember that you don’t have to be everyone’s friend
“I don’t have time to care about if I’ve hurt someone’s feelings,” Aldama says after making her final selections for Nationals (about half the team), leaving many sobbing in the hallways. Picking the strongest…
