BASKETBALL

Apr

2019

Leadership and Basketball

Virginia and Texas Tech. Who would have thought?

I must confess I don’t follow basketball much, but I do enjoy March Madness. I know enough to know the two teams in the final game for men’s basketball were unexpected for someone with limited knowledge like me.

I’m not going to discuss my thoughts on these two teams, but instead I pulled off my bookshelf books written by two legendary college basketball coaches. One still coaching and the other no longer with us: Duke University’s Coach K and UCLA legend Coach Wooden.

These two books have a wealth of wisdom to gain when it comes to leadership and if basketball and leadership interest you they are worth the small investment as I am going to share only a few principles I have learned.

DISCIPLINE

In Coach K.’s book Leading with Heart* he defines discipline as: “doing what you are supposed to do in the best possible manner at the time you are supposed to do it.” What I find interesting about this definition is the suggestion that we perform “at the best possible manner.”

As a recovering perfectionist this is freeing to read. Discipline does not mean perfection, but doing our best when we are supposed to. As leaders do we give our best possible with the awareness and ability we have and do we hold others to that same standard of excellence allowing room for appropriate failure?

SUCCESS

Now that I have mentioned failure, I have to share the thoughts each man has on success. In John Wooden’s book Wooden on Leadership* he reflects on success in his career. He states:

“Did I succeed? Yes, but only because I can look at myself in the mirror and honestly say, ‘I did my best – near 100 percent – to become the best of which I was capable.’”

This man saw success as being the best he was capable, but similar to Coach K, he realized he couldn’t be perfect hence his statement “near 100 percent.”

Coach K has had a very successful career in basketball and seems to be a very competitive coach yet says:

“Your definition of success should have more depth than the equivalent of winning a national championship. It should be whatever passion moves you deep in your heart.”

As leaders are we doing our best to perform for a trophy or recognition that tells the world we are “a success” or are we leading from a place of significance? When we lead with a deep purpose and passion pursuing a cause larger than temporary reward then we are gaining true success.

A LEADERS PURPOSE

“It’s my job as the team’s leader to remove any obstacle that can impact our team’s performance.” Coach K.

For many years I functioned as a strength and conditioning coach. At times athletes came to me with an ache or pain. My job in part was to help them determine if this was something that needed attention from the athletic trainer or more of a mental obstacle. As leaders we need to be aware if we are creating or removing obstacles for those we lead. At times we have to point those we lead to another source for help like I did when athletes had a physical pain.

“Personal greatness for any leader is measured by effectiveness in bringing out the greatness of those you lead.” John Wooden

One athletic director I worked for told me as the strength coach I had to be “master psychologist.” I would suggest all great leaders understand this. Effective leaders determine what is important to those they lead and those individuals’ strengths. Once they figure this out and position them to excel in their greatness the leader wins, the person led wins, and the entire team wins.

What about you as a leader? Do you realize you can be a legendary coach in your own right? How do you need to grow in your discipline as a leader? Is success more than wins and losses or deals made and the bottom-line results? What are you doing today to serve those you lead and bring the greatness out in them?

I haven’t watched a lot of March Madness, but I do know that behind every successful team is a great leader and John Wooden said it best:

“When you unleash the desire in those you lead to attain their own personal greatness – day after day, month after month – you’ll find unexpected talent springing up all around you”

Unleash the greatness in yourself and those you lead and please contact me if I can help serve you and your team in this process. Lead well.

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Feb

2019

Learning from a Leader in the Pharmaceutical Industry

I was sitting beside a man who is about a foot taller than me. I asked him for some of his time because I knew he was a man of great character and also had an opportunity to be a part of an elite Division I college basketball program so I wanted to learn what insights he had on leadership.

Rob works as a sales manager for Amgen, a pharmaceutical company in the Indianapolis area. During our time we discussed the leadership principles he learned from his experience in that elite basketball program.

The coach he played under had three key principles he modeled: hard work, knowledge, and preparation. This coach’s principles have influenced his leadership, but some of the coach’s traits showed him ways he did not want to lead.

As we reflected on Rob’s experience three key leadership principles came to the surface which influence his present leadership approach.

Coach to the positive

Rob played at a time when some coaches tore athletes down psychologically in order to build them up. At times coaches and leaders can unintentionally focus too much on the negative instead of reinforcing the positive. Instead of tearing people down, Rob seeks to build his team up as much as possible by first affirming their strengths. After that, when necessary, he will point out growth areas and equip his team for those areas.

Be transparent

At work Rob now leads some of the individuals he previously worked alongside. This creates a unique environment where he admits his weaknesses and recognizes they are a team. He sees his job is helping team members achieve their goals. As leaders we need to willingly share areas that need improvement and then create the appropriate plan for growth.

Create opportunities

As a player he received opportunities because of his hard work and discipline. As a leader, he provides those he leads with opportunities for growth and advancement. In order to have that mindset he must be more concerned about his team’s growth than his personal agenda.

While we concluded our time together, I asked him for one key takeaway. Rob replied that we need to remember where we came from and we are no better than anyone else. He reflected that if we respect people and treat them like humans we will be leading well.

What about you? How are you leading your team? Are you being transparent and authentic? Do you create opportunities for those you lead to continue to develop? Our mindset is constantly a challenge, how are you at thinking positively and helping your team by focusing more on the positive than the negative? Let me know how I can help you to lead better at work and home. Lead well.