Building a Team the Right Way…6 Strategies from Steve Kerr, coach of the Golden State Warriors

Boy that Steve Kerr guy is lucky to have played for the Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, and THEN he gets blessed with great talent at Golden State! Some guys have all of the “luck”....Or maybe, Steve Kerr just GET’S IT!

Besides a really nice playing career in the NBA (5 titles with 2 teams), Steve Kerr has led the Golden State Warriors to three NBA titles as a coach who knows how to create a “WINNING CULTURE”. Yes, having Stephon Curry as a player could even make you and I a decent coach, Steve Kerr is a student of leadership management and culture. Being a coach in the NBA is less about X & 0’s and more about motivating mega wealthy guys under contract. In fact, when disputes arise, the coach is always the first to go.

So what is his secret to Leadership and Culture? Steve Kerr believes in one thing, “Where there is a great culture, people do great things! They try harder every day, become better, and play at a level above what others thought they were capable of''! Corporate America, are you listening?? During the Great Resignation, The Big Quit, The Great Reshuffle, or whatever you want to call it, a great culture and leadership wins every time.

So what are Coach Kerr’s biggest leadership lessons and how does he create a vibrant culture? Below are six strategies Steve has used to develop a winning culture for the Golden State Warriors.

1. He Speaks the truth candidly and stays focused on moving the team forward. 

2. He fosters an environment where everyone has an equal voice. While some players have a greater natural gift than others, everyone contributes, everyone has value, and everyone is heard.

3. He listens and hears his players. The respect his players have for him comes from the fact that he listens and cares about their comments

4. He has created a culture of learning. A growth mindset combie3d with a cohesive team leads to players selflessly pushing themselves for the greater good.

5. He empowers his players to flourish. Facing a dip in team motivation, He empowered multiple players to coach the team leading to a blowout victory over the Phoenix Suns.

6. Steve Kerr is each player's strongest advocate! He always has their best interest in mind. Other players notice this (especially those that would like to play for the Warriors after their contracts have expired.

The strategies above are extremely relevant to any company and leader regardless of size or industry. As a leadership development enthusiast, I have invested (and certified) dearly in Patrick Lencioni’s leadership paradigm. It’s similar to Steve Kerr’s philosophy and starts with trust and authenticity. Once trust is established a team can engage in healthy conflict, commitment, accountability, and targeted results. 

I love to talk about sports and would love your comments regarding Steve Kerr’s leadership philosophy and/or how Patrick Lencioni’s paradigm elevates and creates a culture of engagement. Finally, it never hurts to have Steph Curry draining 3’s while you’re the coach, but it takes a TRUE LEADER to get the best out of everyone on the team. I look forward to hearing from you!