“I sometimes go home at night feeling bad because I’ve been tough on a player, but if I’ve framed my criticism or discipline in a positive way, I know it’s OK. I might tell a kid 'You have so much to offer. If I continued to allow you to shortchange yourself, to not give your best effort, or be the best person you can be, then I wouldn’t really care about you. And I do.' Like all leaders, I have standards and values, and I won’t deviate from them for fear of hurting feelings. That would make me a phony.” -- Coach Jim Calhoun, A Passion to Lead
Coach Calhoun, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, has coached the University of Connecticut Huskies to two national championships and 16 Big East titles. His success, which transformed two college programs from mediocrity into national powers and has made him one of the winningest coaches of all-time, is a testament to his determination, his love of teaching, and his passion to lead. It has also made him a much sought-after speaker by many Fortune 500 Companies, for whom he gives motivational talks to corporate leaders, and shares anecdotes from his career and personal life about success in business, sports and life.
Highlights of his speeches include:
- Winning Every Day: Make every day your masterpiece
- Standards, Then Victories: Establish a “culture” of winning by setting high standards not only for yourself but for all colleagues
- Mind Games: learn to be the “total motivator” to get individuals to go that extra mile and to buy into the concept of the betterment of the team over
- individual
- Flexible Thinking: Since there’s no way to predict what each day will bring you must have a plan…and then another plan, and the more flexible you are
- the better manager you will be
- Tough in the Clutch: Mental toughness can be learned and it almost always comes from initial adversity
- Craft a Plan B: Be flexible and clever when circumstances demand tactical shifts
- Mountaintop Management: the best managers know that challenges are always awaiting you, and if you’re on top and can see the big picture for new things to deal with you will remain ahead of the pack
- Dealing with Criticism: Especially from those outside your inner circle who do not know what goes on day-to-day in your operation but are willing to offer an
- opinion, or a criticism, and keeping your “team” focused is a huge part of winning every battle
If you are interested in having Coach speak to your organization, please contact us via the Book Coach form.
