Let me start with two statements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One, this is not a sports post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And two, I am not a Duke fan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But allow me to humbly share with you what I actually am. No matter the arena, I am an admirer of someone who leaves a program or position better than what it was when they began. I deeply respect the person who cares more about those who follow than about any glorification of self. There is no prudent place for the mantra of \u201clook at me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Much as I adhere to statement #2 above, one person who has clearly left his legacy by making his place of influence better is Mike Krzyzewski, the head men’s basketball coach at Duke University. First hired 41 years ago, year 41 is set to be his last.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No doubt he has collected his share of outward accolades\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acknowledging the impressiveness of accolades and success, years ago I learned there was something better. Something more honorable. Lots of us can be successful, but will we be something great?<\/em> As learned under the expertise of Dr. Tim Kimmel, \u201cA person can be successful without coming close to being truly great.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Success looks inward; greatness focuses outward. Success is about receiving; greatness prioritizes giving. Success pays off for now; greatness pays off for always. So much of greatness is visible via its impact on other people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I then think of the wisdom consistently offered by Coach K, pouring into hundreds of young men for the past many decades\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEffective teamwork begins and ends with communication.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTo me, teamwork is the beauty of our sport, where you have five acting as one. You become selfless.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaking shots counts, but not as much as the people who make them.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA common mistake among those who work in sport is spending a disproportional amount of time on \u201cx\u2019s and o\u2019s\u201d as compared to time spent learning about people.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn leadership, there are no words more important than trust. In any organization, trust must be developed among every member of the team if success is going to be achieved.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI believe God gave us crises for some reason \u2014 and it certainly wasn\u2019t for us to say that everything about them is bad. A crisis can be a momentous time for a team to grow \u2014 if a leader handles it properly.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re only going to win if we win together.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t look at myself as a basketball coach. I look at myself as a leader who happens to coach basketball.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hear those words\u2026 communication\u2026 selflessness\u2026 learning about people\u2026 trust\u2026 managing crises\u2026 together\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mike Krzyzewski has done more on the hardwood than win all those championships. He\u2019s tirelessly poured into the next generation. He\u2019s realized his position and profession are about more than him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though not nor probably ever a Duke fan, it\u2019s hard not to deeply respect what\u2019s far more than accolades and success in Coach K. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Best wishes on your final season, Coach. Keep the faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n P.S. Still cheering on those Boilermakers from here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Let me start with two statements: One, this is not a sports post. And two, I am not a Duke fan. But allow me to humbly share with you what I actually am. No matter the arena, I am an admirer of someone who leaves a program or position better than what it was when … <\/p>\n