Leadership Lessons From The Top Hawk!

“A Leader does not just get the message across, a leader is the message.” ~ Warren Bennis, authority on organizational development, leadership and change

For those who are familiar with my leadership posts, you know how much this quote resonates with me.  We see it manifested in all kinds of leaders, from corporate CEO’s, non-profit leaders, military leaders, and political leaders, to leaders of operating divisions, functional teams and to oneself.  It also holds true for entertainment and sports organizations CEO’s!

A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of listening to and meeting Steve Koonin, CEO of the Atlanta Hawks (NBA franchise) through our local University of North Carolina business school alumni organization.  I sat there, as did the rest of audience, completely captivated by his personality, his message and his sharp focus.  Wow! I was just blown away by his authenticity, honesty and energy.  Steve is the real deal. In my work as an executive and leadership coach, I find Steve’s focus, purpose and enthusiasm very, very refreshing.

Steve was named CEO of the Atlanta Hawks 10 months ago.  He talked about the ball club, but mostly talked about the organization’s transformation under his leadership and his focus on building a new vision, setting a new culture, leading a committed team who shares the vision, who fits the culture and who thoroughly enjoys working for him.  Steve has found his leadership success by focusing on these strategic principles:

1.      Focus ~ Directing attention toward where it needs to go is a primal task of leadership.  Talent here lies in the ability to shift attention to the right place at the right time, sensing trends, emerging realities and opportunities.  In looking at the organization/culture and people, Steve is consistent with his values, his purpose on what he wants to do and why he wants to do it.  Clarity without ambiguity! Steve cares and he shows it.  He is comfortable with praise and knows that it builds fierce loyalty and inspires those to work with more focus, clarity and purpose.  Steve exhibits the right kind of custodianship that holds him in high regard by the community, business and political leaders, fans and employees – that custodianship is seeking service over self-interest.  Steve’s clear focus provides a highly positive ripple effect throughout the entire organization with a clear and distinct competitive advantage.

2.     Place Your Bets ~ Like any great poker player they take risks based on the information they have on hand and quickly calculate their rate of success.  Then after all the info is in, they act decisively.  Steve’s places his bets, waits for nothing and decides to move.  Decision-making lies at the heart of our personal and professional lives. Every day we make decisions. Some are small, domestic and innocuous. Others are more important; decisions that affect peoples’ lives, livelihoods and wellbeing. Inevitably, we make mistakes along the way.  Steve would agree.  Indeed, the daunting reality is that enormously important decisions made by intelligent, responsible people with the best information and intentions sometimes go wrong.  In placing his bets, Steve knows that:

·      He’s got the right data sources, internal and external, that enhances his ability to assess what is really going on.

·      He has the right people around the table. Not just talent, but people who are unafraid to push back and challenge and,

·      He monitors his important decisions in real-time, ready to step in and make adjustments before the momentum becomes too great.

3.     Take Risks ~ Steve exposes himself daily and each week he sits with employees, without members of his leadership team, in what he refers to as “Bull Sessions.” It is in these sessions Steve shows his consistency with his values, his purpose and what he wants to do and why.  He is completely transparent, open and not afraid of being vulnerable.  I call this being an authentic servant leader.  Steve wants to know what is going on in the community and on the front lines. He acknowledges others realizing that lingering emotions only inhibit effective action.  He asks for feedback and then listens intently and plays back what he has heard validating their emotions and helps them feel understood.   One of Steve’s principles is treating everyone by the Golden Rule.  CEOs need to avoid glorifying themselves and make a point of listening for dissent and alternate views.

4.     Build Sustainable Environments ~ As Steve puts it these sustainable environments are communities that are entrenched in the ethos of the organization.  Fans, the community, other stakeholders.  When you care ~ show it and that’s what Steve does through understanding their branding strategies and deeply relating to the demographics they target.  

5.     Ideas Are Like Disposable Diapers ~ How funny is that (LOL)?  Right now, no matter how much you are keeling over in laughter, when put to work this principle is very powerful.  Steve disregards those that are dirty and don’t work, and has created a keen culture for new ideas.  As Steve said, “you never know where these new ideas will come from.”  In this culture, people are willing to go out on a limb and not be afraid to share their ideas with others and be held accountable for them.

As leaders, we can all learn a great deal from this Top Hawk!

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Which aspects of Steve’s leadership style will you focus on to put your performance and your organization on the fast track to optimal success? If you are looking for greater alignment with organizational vision, mission, values, and initiatives; increased trust and team effectiveness and collaboration and greater success, what are you waiting for?  You can reach me at brad@aperiocoaching.net | 404.409.7226.

In Latin, Aperio means to reveal, uncover, to make clear. Coaching is a powerful process that enables the client to reveal and illuminate their authentic leadership style via a sharp focus on who they are at the core.