June 19, 2023
A great person attracts great people and knows how to hold them together. —Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
Wouldn't it be great if, as a leader, we had a team that just got it? A team that got along, a team that worked towards the same goal, a team that stayed together and bonded for years? Of course it would, and some of you may be saying that this is a dream and unrealistic. In reality, it is up to us as leaders to do this. This quote talks about two key aspects of leaders... 1) Attracting the right talent and 2) Keeping that talent together. A great example of this is the San Antonio Spurs of the 2000s. The team was led by Tim Duncan, the greatest power forward to every play in the NBA. He played his entire NBA career with the San Antonio Spurs under the coach Gregg Popovich. Together, they formed a remarkable partnership that resulted in incredible success for the Spurs. Duncan's basketball skills and leadership qualities attracted other talented players to join the Spurs. Throughout his career, the Spurs managed to assemble a roster of skilled and dedicated players who complemented Duncan's playing style and work ethic. Great players like David Robinson, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Kawhi Leonard, and many others were drawn to the Spurs' winning culture and the opportunity to play alongside Duncan. Not to be outdone, Popovich, known for his coaching prowess, played a crucial role in holding the team together. He created a strong team culture based on discipline, selflessness, and teamwork. Popovich's ability to connect with his players, understand their strengths and weaknesses, and maximize their potential was instrumental in the Spurs' sustained success. Under Duncan's and Popovich's leadership, the San Antonio Spurs achieved tremendous accomplishments, including five NBA championships and a consistent presence in the playoffs year after year. Their ability to attract great players, foster a cohesive team environment, and achieve success exemplifies the truth behind Goethe's quote. As leaders, we not only need to attract the right talent, we need to keep it and develop it.