This tweet came across my Twitter feed recently. It’s a mash-up of Steve Kerr talking to Steph Curry at different moments of different games. It’s a great one, despite who you root for in the NBA.
Surround yourself with people who believe in you the way Steve Kerr believes in Steph Currypic.twitter.com/yYOhhgRuto— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) January 26, 2018
Steve Kerr is of the rarest kind when it comes to character and leadership. If you know anything about Steve, you know that he is a fierce competitor, a true sportsman, a champion. Watching him transition from a great player to a great coach has been fun. But what I’m enjoying most about his career now is the fruits of his labor in becoming one of today’s great leaders.
If you don’t know Steve’s story beyond the NBA, I recommend reading up on it. @JohnBranchNYT did a beautifully insightful piece about it in the NYT called, “Tragedy Made Steve Kerr See the World Beyond the Court”.
I mention that because it’s an incredible story and it provides some great context for understanding Steve’s character. It helps us understand elements of the journey that shaped him into an impeccable leader. You don’t come across leadership like this very often.
I believe that the finest leaders emerge from the triumphs of the great internal battles they experience in their lifetime. Through the experiences of hardship, victory, and loss they emerge stronger than before. Tried and tested.
One important thing that I think differentiates a leader from a person of strong character is the leader’s ability to pass it on. To teach others. It is with great humility and empathy that leaders turn toward others and pour out their knowledge, wisdom and love into the lives of others. They compliment and instill confidence in those around them.
I have vivid memories of Steve playing for the Chicago Bulls and the San Antonio Spurs back in the mid ’90s and early 2000s. The most vivid memory being his game winning shot against the Utah Jazz in game six of the NBA finals to win the championship for the Bulls in 1997. I heard Steve talk about that play in an interview he did on a City Arts and Lectures series. He spoke about the confidence that Michael Jordan had in him while drawing up the play in the timeout huddle. MJ was passing it on to Steve.
I admire the leadership of Steve Kerr. I think it’s something special to witness the internal triumphs that have made him the leader he is today. His demeanor, poise, and words of encouragement are the high marks of a great leader. It’s fun to watch him pass it on.