You can tell a lot about a leader by what happens when they walk in a room. Does everyone brighten up or does energy leave the room? As a leader are you a ray of sunshine on a rainy day or dark cloud which just hovers over the organization? Do you bring solutions or cause additional problems when you come upon the scene.
In the March 24th edition of Sports Illustrated, writer Lee Jenkins profiles Charlotte Bobcats center Al Jefferson. Since arriving as a free agent this past off-season, Jefferson has been a wonderful addition and catalyst for the team’s improved performance. As I read the article, I gleaned 15 Practices Of Leaders Who Make Life Better For Others which all leaders can learn from:
- Leaders Who Make Life Better For Others Often Come From Humble Beginnings – With his dad tragically passing away when he was six months old, Jefferson was raised by his mother and 14 relatives in tiny Prentiss, MS.
- Leaders Who Make Life Better For Others Work Hard – Rather than playing video games as a teenager, Jefferson mowed enough lawns to buy his first car.
- Leaders Who Make Life Better For Others Take Advantage Of Opportunity – When NBA legend and general manager Jerry West showed up to watch Jefferson play a high school game, he responded by scoring 62 points along with 21 rebounds and 11 blocked shots.
- Leaders Who Make Life Better For Others Are Optimistic – When on a pre-draft visit with the Boston Celtics, Jefferson had a great attitude when general manager Chris Wallace could not locate his car at the airport despite wearing shorts and a jersey in 40 degree weather.
- Leaders Who Make Life Better For Others Have Struggled Through Difficult Circumstances – Struggle is necessary for strength. Jefferson played on poor teams in Boston, Minnesota, and Utah.
- Leaders Who Make Life Better For Others Put The Interest Of Others Ahead Of Themselves – Great leaders are generous. While in Utah, Jefferson helped develop his back-up, Derrick Favors, even though he knew Favors would one day get his job.
- Leaders Who Make Life Better For Others Are Never Out Of Options – When asked why he helped Favors, Jefferson responded, “I’ll be good as long as there’s a spot for me somewhere in the league.”
- Leaders Who Make Life Better For Others Are Often Taken For Granted – Despite almost unequaled numbers for his position, Jefferson has never made an All-Star game.
- Leaders Who Make Life Better For Others Play To Their Strengths – Great leaders do not try to be something they are not. Jefferson does not have the outside shooting skills of Kevin Love or the athletic ability of Blake Griffin. But he does have some of, if not the best low-post moves of any big man in the game.
- Leaders Who Make Life Better For Others Improve The Entire Organization – Clippers head coach Doc Rivers says of Jefferson, “You know how there are people in your life who just bring sunshine? That’s what Big Al does for the NBA. He’s sunshine. He brings it wherever he goes.”
- Leaders Who Make Life Better For Others Are Always Wanted – If you consistently make life better for others, you will always have employment opportunities. During the off-season, Bobcats guard notified Jefferson, “We’re going to come after you hard. Give us a look.”
- Leaders Who Make Life Better For Others Provide Constructive Feedback – Jefferson advised Josh McRoberts to not worry about the officiating, Walker on his body language and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist on making good decisions.
- Leaders Who Make Life Better For Others Give Perspective – After LeBron James scored 61 points against the team last month, Jefferson reminded Kidd-Gilchrist, “He didn’t score 61 on you. He scored 61 on all of us.”
- Leaders Who Make Life Better For Others Improve Their Performance – After listening to Jefferson, Kidd-Gilchrist then held all-star Paul George to 0 for 9 shooting and two points.
- Leaders Who Make Life Better For Others Lead By Example – Great leaders are marked by consistent production. From 2004 to 2007, Jefferson averaged 10.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game with the Celtics. From 2007 to 2010, Jefferson averaged 20.1 points and 10.4 rebounds per game with the Timberwolves. From 2010 to 2013, Jefferson averaged 18.5 points and 9.5 rebounds with game with the Jazz. This year, he is averaging 21.7 points and 10.6 rebounds per game with the Bobcats
What are other practices you have seen from leaders who make life better for other people?
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