Like I said, I don't think we've heard the last on the Spurs. I'd miss this important item on them being the first team in any of the four major professional sports in North America to hire a female assistant coach.
Part of the reason why Becky Hammon had been chosen seems to stem from a trip with Coach Pop:
Popovich may have a rep for being prickly, but he's also one of the smartest and most well-rounded coaches in the NBA, well versed in everything from politics to pinot noirs. When he and Hammon found themselves on the same flight home from the London Olympics, they spent the entire time talking — about everything but basketball.
"From the time that he got off that trip, he really had an intrigue about Becky not only as a coach but just as a person," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said. "If you've spent time studying or watching Pop, it's not about basketball, it's about people."
We could even go back to last week's piece about the culture that the Spurs had set as an organization. It's highly probable that this environment allowed Pop to even consider making this decision.
Now, let's segue on to our series on Lincoln's principles.
To set up everything, let's note that the civil war in the US had been fought over, really, economic matters: You see, the northern (and industrialized part) of the US thought it abhorrent that slavery was still the norm by landowners in the states that made up the southern part.
The stand of the Southerners was that it was their way of life - the slaves were being used to work on their cotton fields - and those who did not understand this had no right to tell them what to do.
In this midst came Lincoln who was equally disgusted by the notion of forcing people to work for, essentially, free. The reality, though, was that he had to keep the country together and so it was with this that he held up as long as he could from imposing the law that would abolish slavery - to be able to try and work out a compromise first.
I guess the teachable moment here is to try and see first if there's a way to work things out before, yes, declaring "war" on anybody.
III. Persuade Rather Than Coerce:
- A good leader avoids issuing orders, preferring to request, imply or make suggestions.
IV. Honesty and Integrity Are the Best Policies:
- When you make it to the top, turn and reach down for the person behind you.
- You must be consistently fair and decent, in both the business and personal side of life.
V. Never Act Out of Vengeance or Spite:
- Have malice toward none and charity for all.
- Touch people with the better angels of your nature.
VI. Be a Master of Paradox:
- Avoid major conflict in the form of quarrels and arguments. You simply don't have time for it.
VII. Exercise a Strong Hand - Be Decisive:
- An entire organization is never wisely sacrificed to avoid losing one or two small parts.
- When making a decision, understand the facts, consider various solutions and their consequences, make sure that the decision is consistent with your objectives, and effectively communicate your judgment.
VIII. Master the Art of Public Speaking:
- Be your organization's best stump-speaker, with droll ways and dry jokes.
- Remember that there will be times when you should simply not speak. Say to your listeners: "Kindly let me be silent."
All for now and see you next week - same time, same station.
Written August 31, 2014
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