Great leaders — whether in sports, business, or life — thrive on making the right decisions at the right time. In leadership, as in basketball, every decision has a ripple effect, impacting teammates, teams, and the ultimate outcome.
Few athletes exemplify elite decision-making better than Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks superstar. Thursday night, April 3rd in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers, he set a career-high 20 assists. This was in addition to his 35 points and 17 rebounds. In doing so, Giannis provided a masterclass in leadership and decision-making under pressure.
4 Keys to Effective Decision-Making: Lessons from Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Historic Performance
The following are four key to effective decision-making we learn from Antetokounmpo’s historic performance:
1. Quality Decision-Making Is A Prerequisite To Effective Leadership
After his dominant performance, Giannis said in this article from The Athletic, “When you’re the primary ballhandler, you just gotta keep on making good decisions for the team. I feel like most of the time, I try to make the best decision for myself or for my teammates.”
This quote captures a fundamental leadership principle: leaders are decision-makers, not just for themselves but for the collective success of those they lead. Great leaders see beyond their immediate needs and make decisions that benefit the entire organization.
2. Quality Decision-Making Requires Seeing The Big Picture
In basketball, a great playmaker sees the court, anticipates movements, and sets up teammates for success. The same applies to business and life — leaders must develop the ability to see the big picture, anticipate challenges, and make decisions that put their team in the best position to win.
3. Clarity Elevates Decision-Making
Decision-making becomes easier when a leader trusts their team and is confident in their preparation. Bucks assistant coach Darvin Ham explained how Giannis’ role as a decision-maker evolved:
“Doc (head coach Rivers) mentioned this morning and has been mentioning it that Giannis has to think more like a point forward and he’s already built like that, so it’s not too much of a challenge for him. It’s just now him understanding the organization, making sure we’re in the right spots, making sure our timing is on point and the ball is moving when it’s supposed to, on time and on target.”
Ham’s insights reveal a critical truth about decision-making: systems and structure matter. Leaders cannot operate in chaos. Whether it is a basketball team, a business, or a church, decision-making improves when there is clarity in expectations, roles, and responsibilities.
Clarity allows leaders to be proactive rather than reactive. Great leaders set themselves up for success by studying their field, understanding their teams, and ensuring that everyone is aligned with the mission.
4. Trust Creates Confidence in Decision-Making
Perhaps the most powerful leadership lesson from Giannis’ performance was his unwavering trust in his teammates:
Ham added, “Giannis told them, ‘If you guys are in the right spots, I don’t have to see you, I’m going to find you. I’m going to throw that pass blind. I’m going to trust you’re going to be there, and that trust was completely there tonight.’”
Trust allows leaders to make confident decisions. When a leader has faith in their people, it eliminates hesitation and fear. Giannis wasn’t second-guessing; he trusted his teammates would be where they needed to be, and because of that, he played with confidence and freedom.
The same applies to leadership in any field. When leaders cultivate trust — by setting clear expectations, empowering their people, and leading with integrity — decision-making becomes seamless.
Conclusion
The best leaders, like Giannis, know that decision-making is a mix of seeing the big picture, clarity, and trust. If you want to make better decisions in your leadership, ask yourself:
- Am I seeing the big picture and making decisions that benefit my entire team?
- Am I preparing my team and organization for success through structure and clarity?
- Do I trust my team enough to make decisions with confidence?
Leadership and decision-making go hand in hand. Those who master them —whether in sports, business, or ministry — position themselves and their teams for lasting success. Just ask Giannis Antetokounmpo.
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