One of my pastimes that I enjoy within my free time is basketball. I have a passion for the sport and I love watching both basketball within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as well as the National Basketball Association (NBA). One aspect of the game that is particularly interesting to watch is how the coaches work with the players and develop them in college and seeing them become basketball superstars in the NBA. One of the greatest coaches to do this is Kentucky Wildcat coach, John Calipari, as he is one of the prime examples of a servant leader.
From Northouse (2016), we understand that servant leadership is an approach used by leaders where they “put followers first, empower them, and help them develop their full personal capacities” (p. 226). Servant leadership is the leadership approach that Coach Calipari utilizes within his coaching and this is captured by a longtime friend of his, Ken Blanchard. As a leader, Blanchard (2012) describes Calipari as the classic servant leader as he explains that Calipari “proves season after season that you can lead and serve at the same time”. Calipari knows that his leadership is not about him and achieving accolades for himself. Instead, it is for the athletes that he is serving. Calipari recruits some of the most talented high school athletes to play for him and his style of servant leadership works for the teams that he coaches. Northouse (2016) explains that this receptivity of followers is vital in servant leadership as it is a factor that influences the impact of servant leadership (Northouse, 2016, p. 232). Getting his athletes on board with the style of leadership he uses has been shown to have a positive impact; with winning a national championship in 2012 being the greatest way to show this positive impact.
Calipari sees the potential within these high school students and has the desire to work with them to develop them into better basketball players in college and individuals in general. To Calipari, each one of his players are an important part of the team. This is a characteristic of servant leadership as Northouse (2016) explains that “servant leaders place the good of followers over their own self-interests and emphasize the follower development” (p. 226). After winning the national championship in 2012, Calipari was asked how he felt about winning. From Blanchard (2012), we see Calipari’s natural attitude toward serving and putting his players first as he said “This is not about me. This is about these thirteen players”. Calipari’s style of servant leadership is even instilled within the players that he coached. The year they won the national championship, Anthony Davis was recognized as their greatest player during the NCAA Final Four tournament and received many honors for the way he played. He was their team leader and recognized the importance of everyone on his team as well. In a quote from Blanchard (2012), Anthony Davis speaks on the importance of his teammates stating “It’s not about me. It’s these guys behind me”. Northouse (2016) mentions that when leaders use servant leadership, an expected outcome is that you create servant leaders within your followers (Northouse, 2016, p. 237) and Anthony Davis is an example of that as he served as a leader during the Final Four tournament and continues to serve as a leader within the New Orleans Pelican’s organization.
John Calipari proves that servant leadership works and can be effective in the world of sports. His style of leadership has led him to a national championship, prepared players for the NBA, and given players the tools necessary to lead teams in the NBA. John Calipari continues to utilize servant leadership as he coaches more Kentucky Wildcats and as Blanchard (2012) states, “The result is great performance along with human satisfaction”.
References:
Blanchard, K. (2012, May 30). Conversations on Leadership with Ken Blanchard. Retrieved from https://howwelead.org/2012/04/07/coach-calipari-a-winner-and-a-servant-leader/
Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Los Angeles, Calif.: SAGE
Anthony Kent Springmann says
Hi Leayle,
This is a great post about a coach that I have a great amount of respect for in an industry that struggles to find consistent examples.
I recently watched a documentary about Coach Calipari and he attitude toward college basketball is profound. He is determined to not only develop the entire team like you mentioned but he is also determined to serve his players so that they have the best opportunity possible in their careers. Moreover, similar to what Northouse (2016) introduces regarding empowerment, Calipari is determined to see his players succeed, which usually means the opportunity to play in the National Basketball Association. While this is not an easy road toward success, Calipari prepares his players for their future goals on a daily basis.
Calipari is able to recruit some of the best basketball players in the country but he, like other effective coaches, seeks out players who are “hungry” to succeed in their careers. When the context and culture help to create a platform on which to begin a journey in major college basketball, the sky is the limit according to Calipari (Northouse, 2016). John Calipari is able to challenge the recruits to compete for an opportunity to play on his team, which happens to be one of the best in the country each year, he does not guarantee anything to the individual but offers them a challenge.
Many individuals point toward the trend of college basketball players leaving school to pursue their dream as a negative situation. Calipari sees it as the opposite, it is the opportunity for motivated individuals to follow their dream and this is what servant leaders do.
Great post!
-Tony
References:
Northouse, Peter. (2016). “Leadership: Theory and Practice.” Los Angeles: SAGE.