Leading Narratives

People who make a difference in life have . . . . Initiative - being a self-starter with contagious energy Vision - seeing beyond the obvious, claiming new objectives Unselfishness - releasing the controls and the glory Teamwork - involving, encouraging, and supporting others Faithfulness - hanging in there in season and out Enthusiasm - providing affirmation, excitement to the task Discipline - modelling great character regardless of the odds Confidence - representing security, faith, and determination —Charles R. Swindoll ________________________________________________________ Those Who Can...Coach!: Celebrating Coaches Who Make a Difference

If you imagine less, less will be what you undoubtedly deserve. Do what you love, and don’t stop until you get what you love.  Erik Spoelstra believes that growth mindset is the key driver of the success his Miami Heat team has had. The coach had all his players read Mindset by Carol Dweck, -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mindset: The New Psychology of Success

Leaders are measured not just on what they achieve personally but also on what the people they mentored do as leaders in their own right. Sports provides many examples of leaders who have had their protegees become successful leaders. One of the best is Duke’s head Coach Mike Krzyzewski. Among Coach K’s individual achievements (4 NCAA championships, 2008 Olympic gold medal), one additional factor that he is often overlooked for is the success of his former players and assistant coaches in the profession. Coach K’s coaching tree has had numerous former players go on to become head coaches at NCAA Division I schools, including Steve Wojciechowski, (Marquette) Chris Collins (Northwestern) Tommy Amaker (Harvard), Johnny Dawkins (Stanford), Mike Brey (Notre Dame) and Jeff Capel (former Oklahoma coach). Each achievement by these “Coach K disciples” strengthens Krzyzewski’s legacy, but each setback could also tarnish his shining reputation. Another coach whose legacy has benefited from...

Management and leadership advice comes in a host of forms. Conferences, seminars, articles written by CEOs and other corporate executives all detail the path to achieving cohesion in the workplace, or how to be a stronger leader. But the leaders of the boardroom aren’t the only people who know a thing or two about managing difficult personalities, or how to exercise authority. Retired NBA coach and player Phil Jackson released Eleven Rings in May 2013. The book is a memoir about his values, leadership style, and other factors that contributed to his unprecedented eleven NBA championship rings as a coach. Jackson enumerates the 11 principles that assisted his career, and why they are important for everyday life — not just court-side coaching. Lead from the inside-out. When you lead from the outside-in, Jackson says, you may have short-term success, but it can’t last. No one wants to be repeatedly “brow-beaten,” and your opponents will eventually discover your game plan...