10 Practices Of Truly Classy Leaders

10 Practices Of Truly Classy Leaders

 

Baylor center and likely first-round selection Isaiah Austin’s dreams of professional basketball unexpectedly came to an end when he was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome.  This life-threatening condition caused Austin to have an enlarged aorta and put him at risk of dying if he continued playing.
New Commissioner Adam Silver continued his stellar performance (see the Donald Sterling saga) by honoring Austin as he ceremonially drafted him into the NBA (see the emotional video above).  This moving and unselfish act by Silver and the league is one of my favorite sports moments and teaches us 10 Practices Of Truly Classy Leaders:

• Truly Classy Leaders Make Honoring Others A Top Priority – Pastors and church leaders should always honor people and glorify God.  Commissioner Silver dedicated prime space in the NBA Draft’s first round to honor Austin.
• Truly Classy Leaders Are Kind And Compassionate To Those In Need – Compassion is showing kindness to those who are hurting and in great need.  The honoring of Austin showed the incredible kindness and compassion of Commissioner Silver.
• Truly Classy Leaders Invite Others Into The Process – The Atlanta Hawks twitter account summed it up for everyone:
•  

• Truly Classy Leaders Help Others Succeed – It has now been reported the NBA has offered Austin a job in the league office when he completes his college education.
• Truly Classy Leaders Find Their Success In The Success Of Others – The drafting of Austin, who will never score a point for the league, is an example of the NBA’s commitment to the success of its talent.  It is also important to note the NFL is in constant litigation with its former players while the NBA is deeply committed to the success of both its former and current athletes.
• Truly Classy Leaders Make The Dreams Of Others Come True – Austin called getting drafted “one of the greatest moments of my life.”
• Truly Classy Leaders Are Extravagantly Generous – Generosity is giving while expecting or asking for nothing in return.  Isaiah Austin could do nothing for Adam Silver but this did not matter.
• Truly Classy Leaders Tell Other People’s Stories – Great leaders are storytellers.  Stories move people to action.  When the story of the 2014 NBA Draft is told, it will not begin with Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker.  It will begin with the drafting of Isaiah Austin.
• Truly Classy Leaders Develop A Loyal Following – You are merely a positional leader if no one is following you.  There is a natural tension which exists between professional athletes and those in management.  Silver has proven to be an effective bridge builder as evidenced by the tweets below.