Do You Want To Get Better As A Leader? Read 16 Leadership Lessons From The Golden State Warriors

Do you want to get better as a leader?  Since this is the NBA’s All-Star weekend, I wanted look back at some of the reasons why the Golden State Warriors were the league’s champion in 2014-15, runner-up to the Cleveland Cavaliers last year, and have the league’s best record this year.
The following are 16 Leadership Lessons From The Golden State Warriors:
Sports Illustrated – February 23rd, 2015

• The Team’s Leaders Are Continual Learners – In the summer of 2013, head coach Steve Kerr attended the Aspen Institute to learn sports leadership philosophies.  It was there he learned to document everything – everything he learned, everything he thought, and everything he would change when he became a head coach.
• Leaders Want Options So Offer Them Better Ones – That summer Kerr was offered the head coaching position for New York Knicks as well as the Warriors.  He chose the Warriors because of their superior roster, organizational structure, and proximity to Kerr’s family.
• The Warriors Value Versatility – When constructing their team, general manager Bob Myers felt traditional positions were becoming irrelevant.
• Great Organizations Are Filled With People Of Great Character – When referring to Steph Curry, Myers said, “It’s like having a CEO that exhibits the highest character.  Everybody else falls in line.”  For more on Curry’s character, click 16 Quotes On Faith And Leadership By Steph Curry.
• Great Leaders Make Others Better – After getting the head coaching job, Kerr told Harrison Barnes in their first meeting, “I don’t think you were used last year in a way that was best for you.  But if you buy into what we’re saying, you have a change to be successful.”  Kerr was right.  Barnes was a member of a NBA Championship and then last summer signed a 4-year $95 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks.
• Great Leaders Are Birthed Through Pain – On January 18, 1984 while a freshman point guard for the Arizona Wildcats, Kerr’s dad was tragically killed by gunshot wounds to the head.  He was serving as president of American University of Beirut.
• Great Leaders Have Great Expectations – Draymond Green said of Kerr, “He doesn’t let us settle for mediocrity in anything.”
• Great Leaders Have Great Humility – Jeff Van Gundy said of Kerr, “Usually winning breeds arrogance, but her’s a rare guy.  Very few people I’ve known in coaching would have this humility with this success.”

Sports Illustrated – June 22nd, 2015

• Great Teams Place Great Importance On Fundamentals – Then Warriors assistant coach Luke Walton said of Andre Iguodala, “He has always value the little things: the rotations, the reads, the footwork.  The you care about all that, plus have crazy length and athleticism, you’re dangerous.”
• Great Leaders Let Their Teams Utilize Their Unique Talents – Former Warriors assistant coach Darren Erman said, “You have to let special players use special talents.  Andre is probably the most instinctual defender in the last 10 years.”

Sports Illustrated – December 21st, 2015

• Great Teams Have Great Chemistry – A league scout noted, “The chemistry is like clockwork.  I don’t see how anybody beats them.”
• Great Teams Perform With Great Joy – During her The Joy Of Parenting Seminar, Susie Walton told her class, “Watch the Warriors.  Whether they’re ahead or behind, whether they have five fours or no fouls, they don’t have coaches going crazy.  They don’t get on each other’s case.  They play through mistakes.  They keep the joy.  That’s what you want in a family.”  An opposing general manager added, “I sometimes wonder why Golden State’s main guys never seem to miss a game that matter for injury.  I used to think it was luck.  I’m not sure anymore. Something about the way they play, the joy they have, brings good things to their lives.  It breeds positive events.”  One positive event having a culture of joy brought the Warriors was the addition of Kevin Durant.  Make sure you read 12 Reasons The Golden State Warriors Got Kevin Durant. This leads to my next points.

Sports Illustrated – July 18th, 2016

• Great Teams Are Great Recruiters Of Top Talent – Myers said about the recruitment of Durant, “It’s orchestrating from a distance…Steph, give him a call so he’s more comfortable.  Andre, he might want to hear from you.  I encouraged all of them…we wanted to feel like if he said no, it wasn’t because we didn’t show him who we were.”
• Great Teams And Players Focus On Achievement – Curry was insistent he cared more about winning championships than scoring titles or shoe sales.
• Great Players Are Willing To Pay A Great Price To Be Part Of A Great Organization – Durant said, “We live in this superhero comic book world where you’re either a villain or you’re a superhero…I trusted my gut.  I trusted my instincts.  It’s the unpopular decision.  But I can live with it.”
• Great Teams Are Places Where People Can Experience Great Happiness – Team advisor and personal friend of Durant, Steve Nash said, “I think it was much a personal move (to join the Warriors) for his happiness and development as it was to win.”

What is one lesson you can take from this list which will make you a better leader or team?

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