Coaching and Managing for Success

One of my all-time favorite sports moments has nothing to do with what happened in the game. But this moment teaches you everything about being a great coach and manager. In the 2003 NBA's Mavericks-Trail Blazers playoff series, the Mavs had won the first two games and were on the Blazers' home floor as 13-year-old Natalie Gilbert moved toward the court to sing the national anthem for Game 3.

Natalie got through 20 seconds of the song, to where she sang, "what so proudly hailed." Then she stumbled on the words, dug her head into the microphone, and began looking around as she desperately tried to remember the words. A 13-year-old kid lost in front of a crowd of thousands. And you could hear the audience starting to turn on Natalie.

Then, from her right, the coach of the Blazers — Maurice Cheeks — approached. "Come on, come on," he told her, putting his arm around Gilbert as he began to feed her the lines: "… twilight's last gleaming …". And let me say Maurice was messing up as much as her, and he does not have a fabulous voice, but he is still there.

Gilbert recovered and warbled through the rest of the anthem. Maurice moved his hand in circles, like a conductor, and encouraged the crowd to join in and sing. When the song ended, Maurice hugged Gilbert, and the audience gave one of the great anthem ovations in sporting history. Here is a link to what happened. Watch it. I promise you will be moved.

Here are a few lessons from these few minutes which show you that outstanding leadership and management happen in small moments. Remember, a second can make a tremendous difference.

Lesson 1: Leadership Has No Timetable

Let us be clear; this was a massive game for Maurice. I am sure he had a thousand other things to focus on during that moment. But he instinctively realized this person needed his support more than those moments.  

Maurice did not even remember deciding to go over. "Once I really saw what I did, I couldn't believe I did it, first of all," Cheeks said, "I had to — I heard the national anthem so many times, so I had to know the words. I didn't know I was going to have to sing it, but I knew the words, and I had to know I could go out there and help her. I just looked, and I knew she was struggling."

Maurice left critical game prep to help out someone who was struggling. Often as managers, we focus too much on our own issues and fail to see what is happening with our team. We must make time and space to know what is occurring and act.

‍Lesson 2: Don't Do It. Be Supportive.

While Maurice came out and helped Natalie, she was there with him in the trenches. He did not take over from her. Maurice stayed with her and supported Natalie. Maurice guided her and told her she could do it in words and actions.

And that is what a great manager, leader, and coach does. They help people over challenging moments so that they grow and learn.  

‍Lesson 3: Leaders Work the Crowd

When an employee struggles, the work crowd, like the NBA playoff audience, can begin to turn on the employee. Maurice engaged them in support, and they became Natalie's biggest cheerleaders.

When someone is struggling, you also need to understand what else is going on in the environment and its impact on their performance. Ensure you help bring along the key stakeholders and create a culture for success.

‍Lesson 4: Leaders Give their Employee's the Applause

When the crowd cheered at the end, Maurice walked away and allowed Natalie to enjoy the rewards of overcoming adversity and demonstrating resiliency. Maurice gave her that moment.

Similarly, remarkable leaders, managers, and coaches know the real work it takes to make a comeback, and they give credit to the employee. Moreover, they ensure the employee appreciates their success and enjoys the applause.

Natalie later said it was “like an angel came and touched her shoulder." As a leader, don't you want your employees to think that way about you?

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Check out Sheila's 10 Tips for In-House Counsel Struggling to Advance.

In this guide, Sheila shares her time-tested tips for in-house counsel to release fear, jump-start your career, and propel towards promotion.