The Visionary Quandry
Sometimes we don’t understand visionaries. Their ideas are just too outside the box. The average person just can’t relate. And as a result, they often opt for safer options, ones they are more comfortable with. As a result, many visionaries never last long enough to see their vision come to pass. One such leader was Don Nelson.
I just finished Chris Herring’s excellent book Blood In The Garden: The Flagrant History Of The 1990s New York Knicks. You can order your copy by clicking HERE or on the image provided. While the book primarily focuses on the coaching stints of Pat Riley and Jeff Van Gundy, there is a brief interim period during the ’95-96 season when Don Nelson coached the squad.
Even though team posted a 34-25 winning record, he was relieved of his leadership duties and replaced by Van Gundy. The reasons why are instructive for all visionaries who want to see their vision become reality.
Loss Of Internal Advocates
One of Nelson’s greatest supporters on the Knicks was team leader Charles Oakley. While Riley ran a very disciplined program, Nelson ran a much looser ship to the frustration of many of the team’s veterans. Against the advice of many, the Knicks traded the hard-working and popular Oakley for Marcus Camby, thus losing one of his main advocates and influencers.
Assistant Coach Don Chaney said, “Oakley was the glue to that year’s team – a big key to so much of what we did. More importantly, I think he was Nellie’s swing guy. If he could get Oak to buy into something, then Oak could convince the rest of the players. But without him, the situation just didn’t work anymore.”
Failure To Build Mutually-Beneficial Relationships
John Maxwell teaches in his book The 21 Irrefutable Laws Of Leadership that people buy-in to the leader before they buy-in to the leader’s vision. Nelson continually clashed with the team’s most popular players, specifically John Starks. For a team mired in mediocrity who was used to winning, this lack of popularity in the locker room would not prove helpful. Ultimately, the players rejected Nelson more than his vision.
Tearing Down Statues
You don’t trade Babe Ruth. An organization’s icons, those who built the foundation of success that all others are now enjoying, should be revered. There is a special place in people’s hearts and minds for these individuals. Such a person for the New York Knicks was Patrick Ewing.
Statues should be built for a player like Ewing. But rather than constructing a statue, it leaked out that Nelson explored trading him. When this became known, Nelson had officially lost the entire team and had to be dismissed.
The Difference Between A Leader And A Martyr
Nelson wanted to utilize 7-foot Ewing a different way. He wanted him to come out of the low post and play on the perimeter. Nelson’s vision for Ewing was to have the offense flow through him. In essence, Ewing would become a point-center. Knowing this would never be possible, Nelson then considered the idea of trading him.
Don Nelson was 20 years ahead of his time. He envisioned a team that operated on the perimeter rather than the low-post. The team would have a lot of movement, spacing, and frequent passing. All players would be able to shoot and the 3-point shot would have a place of priority. In other words, he wanted the type of team you see when watching today’s NBA.
But Don Nelson is embodiment of a very important leadership lesson.
One step ahead of the people is a leader. Ten steps ahead of the people is a martyr.
Nelson was too far ahead of his team. He was unable to build mutually-beneficial relationships, communicate his vision, and get buy-in from the team’s leaders. As a result, this visionary was fired despite a winning record.
If you are a visionary who wants to implement new ideas, learn from Don Nelson and don’t be ten steps ahead of your people. Otherwise, you may not be around long enough to see your vision become reality.
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