“I want to become a better leader, a better manager, a better coach, a better man – by watching the best.” – former Indiana Hoosier mens basketball coach Tom Crean
After being fired one year ago as Indiana’s head basketball coach, Tom Crean has spent the last year in personal development learning from some of the world’s greatest coaches and athletes.
His learnings were chronicled in a fascinating February 26 Sports Illustrated article. The following are 32 Leadership Lessons Great Coaches And Athletes Can Teach Any Leader I gleaned from Crean’s experience all leaders should know:
Prepare For Your Upcoming Transition Or Gap Year
- Prepare Financially – Crean had a $4 million buyout from his contract. This provided him the financial margin to take a season of learning.
- Prepare Relationally – Crean was described as a “collector of relationships”. This afforded him tremendous access and opportunity to learn from others.
- Prepare Mentally – Crean took on the form of a learner. He simply wanted to watch, listen, learn and be developed by some of the best in the industry.
Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown – After Crean attended a 76ers practice, coaching, and lastly team meetings, Crean walked away with the following insights:
- Great Organizations Have Great Organization – The level of detail and organization at the professional level is staggering. Everything is charted for both you and the opposing teams. Therefore, you must utilize technology to manage it.
- Great Teams Don’t Play Out The String – They are continually improving and striving for excellence. Even when you know you are not winning a championship, you are always behaving like you will one day.
- First Among Equals – Coach Brown is clearly in charge but he values the opinions of everyone from his assistant coaches to the video interns.
- No Weak Links – Empowering your entire team to share their thoughts sends a clear message – “There are no weak links on this staff.”
- Little Things Make A Big Difference When Building A Winning Culture – Each player’s meal was personalized.
- Personal Development Must Happen Both On And Off The Court – Player development also happens in studying video, planning, and developing your strengths and weaknesses.
- The Best Place You Want Your Organization To Be – Winning and improving.
Next was time he spent with Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell.
- Get The Most Out Of Your Day – Crean was reminded the most successful people are great stewards of how they use their time.
- Leaders Are Readers – Coach Caldwell listens to approximately 100 audio books a year. Much of his “reading” happens when working out on the treadmill.
Then it was to spend a day with San Diego Chargers general manager Tom Telesco and see how their draft war room operated.
- Invite The Right People To Meetings – The price of admission should be an informed opinion.
- Great Organizations Are Listening Organizations – Because of the informed opinions invited into the meeting, everyone was actively listening to each other.
- Listening Is A Sign Of Respect – It shows you feel the other person offers something that is well-researched, insightful and of great value.
- Data And Intuition – As previously mentioned, each opinion of a player’s potential was well-researched. However, this was balanced by intuition, emotion and gut feelings based upon film study and research.
From there, Crean visited with former St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa:
- Leaders Should Proactively Fill Voids With Personalize Messages – When a member of your team is lonely, depressed, disillusioned or unhappy, something will fill this void. Rather than it being something or someone unhealthy, the leader should step in with personalized message for the individual.
- Schedule Individual Quality Time With Each Member Of Your Team – La Russa would do schedule time with a few guys each week.
Because of La Russa’s friendship with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, the two traveled to the team’s training camp White Sulphur Springs, W.VA.
- Great Leaders Are Intentional – White Sulphur Springs is not to be confused with South Beach or San Diego. The location communicates the message that we are here to work.
- Preparation Is Essential – Crean states Belichick’s messages to the team can be summed up in a simple message – “Training camp is essential – the way we work now impacts whether we win or lose later.”
- Great Leaders Are Great Communicators – Belichick says only what matters. He is a master at the economization of words. Each word means something.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady
- Great Leaders Do Everything With Purpose – Each thing Brady does – throwing drills, footwork drills, running bags, taking snaps, drop backs – is done with a purpose.
- Always Practice At Game Speed – Brady’s warmups and practice sessions never looked like warmups and practice sessions.
- The Great Ones Never Waste A Rep
Crean traveled back to Los Angeles to watch LeBron James and Dwyane Wade put in some off-season work.
- Great Leaders Take Great Care Of Their Bodies – Crean was incredibly impressed with the amount of time these two future first-ballot Hall of Famers put into their physical strength and flexibility. Each also brought their own personal trainer and valued their feedback.
- Great Leaders Often Have Great Insecurity – One of the reasons they work so hard is they are afraid someone will take their place as the top in their profession. I can relate to this.
- The Most Successful Leaders Compete Against Themselves – Watching James and Wade reminded Crean of how Magic Johnson was always working on an aspect of his game so he could improve.
- Successful Leaders Are Precise – The level of their workout was amazing. Their technique, breathing and timing was incredibly precise and next level.
- Leaders Set The Tone – James, Wade and Johnson reminded Crean the greatest leaders never think they are beyond improvement. As such, they set the tone for hard work for the entire organization.
- Hard Work Can Be A Joy – Despite the incredible amount of hard work each put in, James and Wade spent much of the day laughing and enjoying each other’s company.
Finally, Crean attended the Michigan Wolverine’s football practice. This was, of course, led by head coach Jim Harbaugh who also happens to be his brother-in-law.
- Intensity Matters – When your team competes with high intensity in practice, the game itself is easier.
- Healthy Conflict – Because of the intensity of their practices, the team bonds through competition and conflict.
What is one thing from this list you learned which will make you a better leader?
To receive leadership insights from another great coach, Nick Saban, click HERE or on the image to the left for my new ebook The Leadership Of Nick Saban: Timeless Truths From The Incomparable Head Coach Of The Alabama Crimson Tide. Enjoy!