- Interestingly, Jordan’s basketball coach at the University of North Carolina, the legendary Dean Smith, had more of a giver style.
Against his own interests, and strong resistance from his assistants, Smith advised Jordan to enter the NBA draft early, before his senior
year. Smith had a rule: “We do what’s best for the player out of season and what’s best for the team in season.” As NBA salaries
skyrocketed, Smith encouraged every player who had a good shot at being picked in the top five or ten to leave college early and secure
his financial future, as long as he promised to come back and finish his education later. In his thirty-six years as head coach, Smith sent
nine athletes to the draft early, and seven made good on their promises. Although Smith was encouraging his best players to leave the
team, putting his players’ interests first seemed to help him recruit top talent and build trust and loyalty. Smith retired with 879 wins, then
more than any coach in NCAA history; his teams made eleven Final Fours and won two national championships. As Chris Granger,
executive vice president at the NBA, explains, “Talented people are attracted to those who care about them. When you help someone
get promoted out of your team, it’s a short-term loss, but it’s a clear long-term gain. It’s easier to attract people, because word gets
around that your philosophy is to help people.”
michael s
(Michael S)
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