The 3 Bill Russell Quotes We Need

A stranger once approached 6-foot-10 Bill Russell and asked whether he played basketball.

"No," Russell told the man, even though he was perhaps the greatest player in the world. 

When teammate John Havlicek asked Russell why he denied being a basketball player, Russell said, "John, that’s what I do. That’s not what I am.”

Russell passed away Sunday at 88, and while basketball was certainly what he did, merely recognizing his on-the-court contributions would shortchange a trailblazing legacy in sacrifice, grace and devotion.  

There are three quotes of his in particular that we might be wise to reflect on:

1. “The most important measure of how good a game I played was how much better I’d made my teammates play.”

We often measure our success by the number of wins we accumulate, the money we earn, the promotions we get. But these pursuits frequently come at the expense of our teammates, and they can do long-term damage to our greater legacy. 

Maybe Russell could’ve averaged a couple more points one year or have blocked a few more shots into the crowd, but by constantly doing what was best for those around him, he promoted his team's success while establishing himself as one of the most selfless champions in sports. 

As leaders, we'd be wise to remember that if we help enough people get what they want in the short term, we’re far more likely to get what we want in the long.

2. “Success is a result of consistent practice of winning skills and actions. There is nothing miraculous about the process. There is no luck involved.”

We often like to believe those at the top of their industries have innate skills that they honed a bit and caught a break or two to become elite. 

But Russell had an unremarkable high school career in Oakland, Calif., before enrolling at the University of San Francisco. He then worked tirelessly with close friend K.C. Jones, pushing through challenge after challenge while pouring over basketball theory and concepts to find an intellectual edge over his competitors.

Sure, he had physical gifts, but without the insatiable thirst to improve and the creative instincts to outsmart the competition, he likely would've never gone on to have the career he did.

As leaders, we need to look less for the single-day miracle and instead continue embracing the monotonous grind that often challenges fortitude and competitive stamina. It's this "consistent practice of winning skills and actions" that frequently leads to the eventual breakthrough.  

3. “Commitment separates those who live their dreams from those who live their lives regretting the opportunities they have squandered.”

Russell had size, strength and great instincts. But his true gift was a willingness to face hardship and still never lose sight of his ambitions. 

Many of us will be tempted to quit our pursuits at some point as disappointment becomes too much to bear. But those who surrender frequently don't realize how close they are to the breakthrough. 

Ultimately, the difference between the few who reach the top and those who give in is rarely physical skill. It’s a mental fortitude, resolve and an unbridled commitment to the craft, even when roadblocks appear. 

May Bill Russell rest in peace — and may his many lessons in dedication, selflessness, grace and grit continue to inspire leaders for generations to come.