Pat Summitt, the legendary basketball coach helped bring the University of Tennessee’s Lady Volunteers to becoming a powerful force on the basketball court and who became the winningest coach in college basketball history, died on June 28 of complications from Alzheimer’s Disease.
Coach Pat Summitt, known as an extraordinary basketball coach, not only dominated on the court but was also an incredible human being who profoundly impacted the lives of those she coached. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of players, leaders, and fans.
Unfortunately, I never personally met with the legendary basketball coach Pat Summitt. However, after watching some of the interviews with former players and all of the other people who were so fortunate to personally know Coach Pat Summitt, it’s very easy to see what a monumental impact she had on so many who crossed paths with her over the years.
Powerful Pat Summitt Leadership Lessons
You don’t have to be a basketball fan to learn valuable lessons from Pat Summitt, the legendary basketball coach. When you dig a little deeper and find out more about the type of leader and person that Pat Summit was, it’s very easy to see why her teams dominated on the basketball court for such a long time. It’s very easy to see why all of the 161 players that she coached during her time at the University of Tennessee graduated from college. It’s very easy to see why her legacy will live on forever.
Coach Pat Summitt exemplified what it means to be a real leader. A real leader isn’t someone who just has the head job and collects the biggest paycheck. A real leader serves those that they lead. A real leader works for their players or employees, not the other way around. A real leader invests the time, energy, and effort into developing their people to not only become better at their job, but also better as people. A real leader makes an impact on the world. In her 38 total years at Tennessee, Coach Pat Summitt won eight national titles and 1,098 games—the most by any Division 1 basketball coach, male or female.
Not only this, but Pat Summitt made a profound impact on women’s college athletics. When she first took over as head coach at the University of Tennessee in 1974, when she was just 22 years old, the NCAA didn’t even really pay attention to women’s basketball. None of that mattered to Pat Summitt. She couldn’t be ignored as the wins and championships continued to grow. She helped bring women’s basketball to light throughout the nation. And the rest is history. This is what true leadership is all about.
Pat Summitt was not just a basketball coach. She was humane, caring, and empathetic. She was all “about the people.” She kept in touch with all of her former players, visited them when they were going through difficulties, and continued to help develop them as friends even after their time on the basketball court was up.
That should be a reminder for all of us. One of the most important things that you can do as a leader right now is start investing in your team, which means directing every ounce of your energy into caring more, serving more, and loving more. As a leader, it’s very easy to bask in the limelight or get sidetracked by all of the obligations that you have in front of you every morning as you step into the office.
When you truly start to find ways to invest back into your people and leave your office door open to provide a listening ear for someone who may be battling a disease or who has just lost a loved one, or some other personal issue, it does more for your organization’s future success than actually handling work-related tasks. It’s always about the people.
Your organization’s success is built not only on systems or strategies but on the collective strength of the people within it. Pat Summitt, as a basketball coach, understood this better than most. She led her players with passion and commitment, inspiring them to go above and beyond in pursuit of their goals. Whether in sports or business, a leader who prioritizes their team’s growth will always stand apart.
Conclusion
There are many qualities that define a great leader, but caring and compassion stand among the most important. Throughout her career, Coach Pat Summitt, the legendary basketball coach, demonstrated the immense value of leading with heart and determination.
Instead of thinking that others work for you, develop the mindset and perception that you work for others. By adopting this mindset as a leader, you will revolutionize the culture of your organization and inspire your people to do whatever it takes to create something special.
Looking back at the life and career of Pat Summitt, remember her excellence on and off the court. Her legendary status as a basketball coach and trailblazer for women’s athletics cements her as an enduring icon of leadership and inspiration.
Originally Posted on Entrepreneur.com