A Historic Performance
This past Sunday, April 30th, Steph Curry scored a Game 7-record 50 points to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 120-100 win over the up-and-coming Sacramento Kings. You can see the highlights in the above video. But what made Curry’s performance so memorable was not just the scoring record, but his out-of-character speech to the team the day prior.
A Pre-Game Speech For The Ages
The following is The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson II and Shams Charania’s recount of the speech:
“Curry told the team he believed in them, that they had enough to win. He asked for their trust in return. He assured them he could deliver victory if they all bought in. He implored them to put all of their feelings aside — which sources with knowledge of the locker room felt was messaging directed at (Jordan) Poole, Jonathan Kuminga and other guys who might’ve been unhappy for reasons such as playing time and role — and lock in to the unified mission. Anyone who wanted to remain in their emotions, he told them to stay home. Anyone who was ready for their vacation, he told them not to get on the bus for Sacramento. But anyone who did get on the bus, Curry took that as a signature of approval, a binding agreement to be on board with the mission. And if they did that, if they got on the bus, he promised he’d deliver. With his game, his faith, their solidarity, they’d win.”
After reading the paragraph above and Thompson and Charania’s article, I gleaned three lessons and an intuitive seven-step process from Steph Curry’s pre-game speech:
3 Lessons About Great Speeches
1. Smart Leaders Understand The Value Of Brevity
Curry opened Saturday’s meeting by saying, “I don’t even talk a lot but I’ve got something to say.”
“I don’t talk a lot” is an important phrase because what made Curry’s words so impactful was how rarely he addresses the team. Because he uses an economy of words, they have great value when he does choose to speak. The hard truth for many people reading this post, myself included, is we could significantly increase our influence by simply talking less.
2. Influence And Previous Accomplishments Matter When You Speak
Curry is generally considered one of, if not the most, humble superstars in all of sports but his teammates know who he is. He is one of the game’s legends. Though he is quite approachable, there is still a level of respect everyone has for him as one of the greatest players of all time.
3. You Must Earn The Right To Speak
This will not be popular in our “rights of the people” generation. Everyone has the right to speak in brainstorming sessions and casual conversations. However, when an important message needs to be delivered, some people just need to be quiet and learn something. Because of lack of experience, lack of accomplishment, or lack of insight, they have not earned the right to speak into those situations. Steph Curry has. Jordan Poole and Jonathan Kuminga have not.
The 7-Step Sequence Of A Great Speech
1. Start With Positives
Curry then begins to create a template for all leaders to follow when delivering an important message to their teams. First, he opens his speech by reiterating his belief in his teammates and they had enough skill to achieve their objective. What Curry and all smart leaders know is encouragement is a force multiplier and great way to start a speech.
2. Ask For Trust
John Maxwell teaches that trust is the foundation of all successful relationships. For the Warriors to be successful and win the game, trusting him and each other would need to required and he asked for it.
3. Address The Issues Preventing Success
This is where things get difficult in the process. Courage is required at this stage.
Curry told certain teammates more was needed from them. Attitudes needed to change. They needed to elevate the team’s success above their personal agendas. Their level of professionalism must improve.
This is where influence is so important. Not everyone can make such a request. Curry can. When your team’s best player is also its hardest working and most committed, you have a competitive advantage.
4. Ask For Commitment
I love what Curry then did. After addressing the issue, he drew a line in the sand. Curry asked for total commitment and if anyone was unwilling to give it, then don’t get on the bus. Stay at home and start their vacation.
We as leaders should do likewise when the situation warrants it. But make sure you have earned the right to do so through your performance and commitment.
5. Confirm The Commitment
This is brilliant. Sometimes we assume we have commitment simply because we ask for it. This is a mistake. Silence can never be confused with compliance.
Once he asked for and received buy-in from everyone, Curry then reiterated what they had all agreed to. He drove the point home. The confirmation was viewed “as a signature of approval, a binding agreement.”
6. Lead By Example
Curry then did what all great leaders do, he said he would lead by example. What gave him the authority to make such a statement and why did the Warriors players believe it? Because Curry had produce positive results time and time again.
As a leader, it is difficult to deliver a hard message when you have never done anything hard. Once again, Curry’s consistent brilliance earned him the right to make such requests from his teammates.
Ironically, Curry would not only deliver positive results once again. He would deliver historic ones.
7. Finally, Drop The Mic
The ultimate sign that Curry’s speech was effective was the team’s victory. Do not confuse activity with accomplishment.
But a more immediate indication Curry’s speech fulfilled its purpose was the silence in the room when he concluded. There was simply nothing else left to say. Draymond Green, who normally does all the talking, exclaimed, “Enough said champ! Nobody got nothing! That’s it. What else can be said?”
In conclusion, I want to respond to Draymond’s question, what else can be said? I think it is time we acknowledge Steph Curry has surpassed Magic Johnson as the greatest point guard in NBA history.
For more from Marcus Thompson and his writings on Steph Curry, get his excellent book Golden: The Miraculous Rise of Steph Curry by clicking HERE.
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