Developing Leaders & Building a Legacy
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Other Works

Lessons from UVA Basketball

3/16/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
The last few years, Louisville basketball has had two Achilles Heels -- Kentucky and Virginia. Both have presented matchup problems and have been the frustration of the fanbase, for different reasons. Kentucky has recruited at a much higher prestige, has a wealth of future NBA talent, and has the only coach who can rival Pitino for personality power. Virginia on the other hand plays a complex defense and slow-down offense, both very efficient. Virginia's weakness is a team that can hit jump shots. If you've followed Louisville for a few years, this has been a problem.

But one thing jumps out -- the high regard fans have for Virginia coach Tony Bennett. He carries himself well, is a class act, recruits good players, holds them accountable, and has avoided the ugliness that is college recruiting. He's a committed Christian whose faith is the catalyst for his life, family, and coaching. Behind everything, he has a philosophy rooted in Five Pillars:

Picture
For us as leaders, we can learn a lot from these pillars and how they apply for ministry.

Humility - We lead from the position of the towel and basin, not the corner office. When we are motivated by pride or consider ourselves better than those charged to our care, we fail to be shepherd leaders. Philippians 2 reminds us that even Christ led and served from humility.

Servanthood - There is no job too small or unimportant for a leader to do. We cannot ask people to do what we are unwilling to ourselves. So if you want to see visitors and guests, invite people yourself. If you think the work day is important, show up. If people see you getting involved and serving, they'll be more apt to trusting you. Mark 10:45 is one of my favorite verses: The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve.

Unity - Nothing can destroy a ministry or a church like disunity, especially among leadership. As a leader, you are responsible to make sure your team is on the same page. Unity is not uniformity, and every team member has a unique personality and gift set. But as a leader you need to work towards getting everyone on the same page.

Passion - What you do matters. You're caring for God's people, you're charged to lead the advancement of God's mission in your community, and you get paid to live out your Christian life. It deserves your passion, your commitment, and your enthusiasm. "Whatever you do, work at at with all your heart, as working for the Lord."

Thankfulness - Saying thank you as a leader is crucial. We must recognize what others do, and appreciate the work and fruit of their work. If you're looking for pats on the back and public appreciation, don't become a leader. You'll dole it out, you'll see other people recognized, and in many cases you'll be the one who has to own the mistakes. It's what you signed up for. When things go right, thank others. When things go wrong, own it.

It's great seeing the success of quality people like Bennett and the Virginia program. And let's all be thankful they're not on Louisville's side of the bracket for the NCAA Tournament.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Scott M. Douglas

    A blog about leadership and the lasting legacy of family ministry. ​

    Archives

    February 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    September 2021
    April 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015

    Categories

    All
    Book Review
    Burnout
    Change
    Crisis
    Delegation
    Digital Presence
    Family
    Family Ministry
    Finances
    Goals
    Leadership
    Legacy
    Manhood
    Networking
    Parenting
    Personality
    Planning
    Relationships
    Salary
    Social Media
    Starting Well
    Student Ministry
    Teaching
    Team Leadership
    Team Ministry
    Time Management
    Vision

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Other Works