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Tom Lemanski

Steve Kerr’s Three Minutes of Leadership Perfection

Steve Kerr

Hollywood Hijacks

I admit to being one of those people who are annoyed when Hollywood stars use their podium time at award shows to preach about their political interests.  For me, most of these folks literally live in La La Land with limited life experience, perspective or frame of reference.  And they choose to hijack an entertainment event to express their unsolicited opinions. Or in the case of Will Smith, hijack the stage and assault the host to express his opinion.   

There was another podium hijack that took place this week that a much different feel. It happened in Dallas.

will smith
Steve Kerr

This Was Different

Last Tuesday, May 24, 2022.  Pro Basketball Coach Steve Kerr’s Golden State Warriors were preparing for their Western Conference Finals Playoff game in Dallas. Their playoff game was just hours after the school shooting that occurred 400 miles away in Uvalde, TX.  

NBA Head Coaches are obligated to provide media access both before and after playoff games  On Tuesday, Steve Kerr took the podium for his pregame briefing and hijacked the agenda of the basketball game to speak about gun violence and national politics.  Unlike the Hollywood Hijackers, Mr. Kerr has deep insight and knowledge about being a victim of gun violence.  His father, Malcolm Kerr was shot by terrorists in Lebanon in 1984 while Steve was a college student at Arizona.

More on Steve Kerr from Wikipedia

Invest Your Next Three Minutes

This video is a worthy use of three minutes and of your time.  It is one of the most profound and moving statements ever by a ”sports leader“ With opportunity, motive and insight, he seized the moment to put first things first.. 

Leadership Playbook

In a moment of clarity in 2016, I composed a post titled Leadership Simplified.  My 3 simple steps are recapped below.  

Leadership is about:

  1. Looking at the status quo to determine what needs change.
  2. Having the courage to commit to closing the gap between the current situation to what’s possible.
  3. Taking action to engage others in the cause

Steve Kerr has the playbook and executed it with precision and passion in less than three minutes.  Is there any better example?

UPDATE: A Successful Outcome

Within four weeks of Steve Kerr’s Passionate Plea (June 21), The US Senate paved the way for what The New York Times calls: the most significant overhaul of the nation’s gun laws in decades.

This legislation won’t solve the gun problem. But it will make a difference by saving the lives of some potential victims.  The NRA isn’t happy about it.  So that’s some progress.  

I believe that Coach Kerr gets at least partial credit.   And it reminds me of the ever inspiring words of Margaret Mead.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

– Margaret Mead

Credits

I first learned of the Steve Kerr event in Jim O’Donnell’s column in The Daily Herald.  Jim is always an entertaining and insightful read. In this case, Jim inspired me to inspire you.

Photos for Will Smith and Steve Kerr courtesy of Creative Commons

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Tom Lemanski

Tom Lemanski

Elevating Leaders to Achieve Breakthrough Success

Tom Lemanski helps accomplished leaders unlock potential, solve complex challenges, and amplify their impact.

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