For a team to overcome a overwhelming adversary, they must have extreme
concentration and focus.
Encourage team members to take initiative and act on their own.
Handling Success
Any organization will not win on reputation alone, no matter how good they are. They
have to go out and earn it.
Next Game
Don’t let moments of ecstasy last to long. They may cause you to lose the next game.
“When you cleanse yourself of a big victory, you may open yourself up to the opportunity
for an even bigger victory” (Krzyzewski, 2000, p.183).
Ch 12: Celebrate Tradition
At the end of every season, thank your team for their effort.
Give the team a night of its own at the end the season. Maybe a banquet, but however, give them
a chance to celebrate the journey. And make it fun.
A Part of Something Bigger
Given enough time, an idea can become an established tradition.
Tradition helps motivate people. It brings them back and motivates them to go on
another journey.
“If people are part of something with a lot of tradition, they will be less likely to be
jealous of a teammate or do something detrimental to the organization. Tradition makes
it more difficult to bring out the negative aspects of human nature” (Krzyzewski, 2000,
p.189).
Binding the Past to the Present
“Consistent excellence engenders pride” (Krzyzewski, 2000, p.199).
Always honor the seniors in your organization.
The Sixth Man
Build relationships with people who support your organization.
Once you have tradition in place, confidence, excellence, unity and pride will grow.
IV. ALL-SEASON
Ch 13: Blueprint Basics
Commitment
If the leader is committed, the more likely followers will commit.
Give players the freedom to show their own level of commitment to the team.
Excellence
Define your own excellence and always strive for it, not for success.
Motivation
Motivation is both an individual and team effort.
“Each moment requires its own maneuver” (Krzyzewski, 2000, p.210).
Remain hungry to stay successful. Don’t cheat yourself with complacency.
Teaching
Plan what you teach.
While teaching your players, you can always learn from them.
Family
“When your organization operates like a strong family, you can’t be knocked out by one
punch” (Krzyzewski, 2000, p.217).
Family is just like the fist principle. It makes individuals part of something bigger.
Ch. 14: The Core of Character
Courage
“True bravery in leadership revolves around the degree to which a person maintains the
courage of his convictions” (Krzyzewski, 2000, p.224).
When you stand strong against an opposing force for the first time, it’s easier to have
courage again and again the next time.
Confidence
People must have confidence in themselves before they can realize their full potential.
Continual Learning
Put yourself in situations where you can always learn something new. When you stop
growing and learning, you start to decay.
Don’t forget defeats, defeats can be the key to future victories.
Hard Work
When people achieve something that they’ve worked their butt off for, it makes them
feel great.
“The only way to lose is if you don’t try your best” (Krzyzewski, 2000, p.233).
Honest and Integrity
“Integrity is nothing more than doing the right thing no matter who’s watching you”
(Krzyzewski, 2000, p.233).
Make the truth the basis of everything you do.
Ch 15: Friendship
“We Will Always be Friends”
Work hard at staying in contact with your friends so the relationships continue to live
on.
When Friends Leave
Sometimes people have to move on, no matter how many good things you did for them.
Part of leadership is dealing with instability.
When people leave, thank them for what they’ve done. Don’t hold grudges.
Jim Valvano
Pack everything into the moment. The future should always be uncertain for you.
“Touch people’s hearts with sincerity and eloquence” (Krzyzewski, 2000, p.247).
Never, never give up.
Make your last game your best.
Find a way to win.
Ch 16: Life
“Sometimes when you’re blinded by your emotions and your commitments, it’s best for someone
else to tell you what to do” (Krzyzewski, 2000, p.278).
Every once in awhile you have to be committed to yourself, and only yourself.
People tend to look at things closer when they lose, not when they win.
Be careful when dealing with extremes not to use the singular pronoun “I.”
“Stop the ‘Success Express’ once in awhile to enjoy the journey” (Krzyzewski, 2000, p.278).
If you teach something, you better be able to do it.
Surround yourself with people who will say no for you.
When things go wrong for the team, accept the responsibility, admit the mistakes, and move on.
“Regularly ask yourself the question: ‘What’s your job, knucklehead?’” (Krzyzewski, 2000,
p.278).
“Take care of your core” (Krzyzewski, 2000, p.278).
“Listen to your doctors” (Krzyzewski, 2000, p.278).