All through the playoffs, you hear so much about Phil Jackson. The comments at times are at extremes. Ranging from Genius to he's just sitting there while Kobe runs the team.
All of this reminds me of what Bud Grant, former Minnesota Viking Head Coach had to say about the makings of a great coach or leader. The more I think about Phil Jackson, the more I realize he fits the characteristics that Coach Grant believed in.
I think too often we only think of coaching as what is going on during the game. If the coach isn't standing up and pacing the sidelines, then he must not be coaching.
Instead, coaching is done in the preparation, in the teaching. Coach Newell and Coach Knight often said the the game is overcoached and undertaught. Too many of us get these two things confused.
Coach Grant had the following beliefs:
- Put your ego aside.
- The main job of a coach is to recognize and secure talent, and then to utilize that talent.
- Don't be concerned with people writing about what a great coach you are. Make the team the focus.
- Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu in 565 BC, discussing leadership. It is good advice for anyone in a position of command:
A leader is best
When people barely know he exists.
Not so good when people obey and acclaim him,
Worse when they despise him.
But of a good leader, who talks little,
When his work is done, his aim fulfilled,
They will say, "We did this ourselves."
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