"People Development wins championships, and if done properly, it can help in winning multiple championships."

“A common mistake among those who work in sport is spending a disproportional amount of time on x’s and o’s, as compared to time spent learning about people.” – Mike Krzyzewski 

Coach K is stepping down as leader and head Basketball Coach at Duke University, after 42 years at the helm, once this season is over for his team.

In a previous post, I mentioned that it was his assertion that he is not a basketball coach, but a leader who coaches basketball, which has always struck me and is the reason for this series that I am writing and you’re reading.

His wisdom now tells us that our responsibility, as coaches, and as leaders, is to the PEOPLE we are in charge of. To fully understand them, and work with them, to develop them not only as players, but as people. 

The timing of his retirement falls in line with this month as we are delving into the people portion of leadership/coaching.

As a recap, here are the 5 LEVELS OF LEADERSHIP we’ve introduced:

• Coach to Leader Series: An Introduction
• Level 1 – Position (Rights) – people follow because they have to
• Level 2 – Permission – (Relationships) – people follow because they want to
• Level 3 – Production – (Results) – people follow because of what you have done for the organization/club
• Level 4 – People Development – (Reproduction) – people follow because of what you have done for them
• Level 5 – Pinnacle – (Respect) – people follow because of who you are and what you represent

LEVEL 4 – PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT – “Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.”

Level 3 was about ‘Production,’ which is essential in the growth and evolution you have as a leader/coach. But, Production may win games, but People Development wins championships, and if done properly, it can help in winning multiple championships. 

With Level 4 leadership, teamwork goes to a very high level. Why? Because the investment a coach makes into people, deepens relationships. It helps people to know one another better, and strengthens loyalty. Secondly, performance increases. Why? Because there are more leaders on the team, and they help to improve everybody’s performance.

There is a saying that says, “To add growth, lead followers, but to multiply growth, lead leaders.”

1. Law of the INNER CIRCLE – “A leader’s potential is determined by those closest to him/her”

• Our job as leaders/coaches is to develop those within our inner circle (Assistant Coaches, Trainers, Equipment Managers, etc.)
• These people are the extension of you as the head coach and the challenge is to ensure that they are going to be ambassadors of the team’s message and be on the same page as you in helping create, implement and uphold the culture of the team and organization.
• As head coaches, we want to be perceived as having all the right answers, however there are no Lone Ranger Leaders because think about it, if you are alone, who are you leading?

2. Law of EMPOWERMENT – “Only secure Leaders, give power to others”

• When I was a young head coach, I wanted to control everything, and it was not a good thing. Over the years I have come to recognize that control over everything indicates insecurity, as it is a show of power, not empowerment.
• It is in the empowering of others that allows you to be more of a leader as this law works on the premise that the more you give it away, the more it returns to you. Your capacity to achieve success as a leader is determined by your ability to empower your people.

The video below features Mel Tucker, Head Football Coach at Michigan State University, and Performance Coach Trevor Moawad. In it, they discuss developing both your staff and your players. It drills home the points I’m trying to make!

***

In sports the notion of a coaching tree is very prevalent, and one can only look to the recent LA Rams Super Bowl win to understand this. Sean McVay, Head Coach of the Rams, was going up against a former Assistant Coach in Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals. Now McVay is only 36-years-old, but if you were to look at his coaching tree you can get a sense into his ability to lead leaders and you can begin to see his overall influence, empowerment and leadership which has translated in pretty good success for these coaches:

• Matt LaFleur – HC – Green Bay Packers
• Zac Taylor – HC – Cincinnati Bengals
• Brandon Staley – HC – LA Chargers
• Kevin O’Connell – HC – Minnesota Vikings

***

In all the articles of Coach K’s last home game on Saturday, March 5, 2022, it was evident his former players had tremendous admiration for him. The funny thing is, that admiration was not just for his coaching prowess, but more importantly, it was for how he made them better people. Level 4 leaders change the lives of the people they lead, and as a result their people follow them because of what their leaders have done for them, not athletically, but personally. These relationships are often lifelong. 

Here’s to your growth as a coach, and more importantly, as a leader!

BE OUTSTANDING!