How Coach K Commanded the Room

The coach didn’t belong.

It was July of 2006 — and many of the best American basketball players were assembled in a hotel room in Las Vegas, superstars from rival NBA franchises attempting to restore glory to Team USA, which had been embarrassed in recent years.

But the man tasked with leading them had no NBA experience and coached at a college several of them grew up despising.

So, how did Mike Krzyzewski command respect? How does a leader who appears to be an outsider win over an audience that may be skeptical?

Coach K did three things in particular — featured in the new The Redeem Team Netflix documentary — that are relevant to anyone trying to win the room.

1. Create the cause

Krzyzewski didn’t mince words in his first meeting. He spoke tersely but respectfully — using colorful language that established a firm and authoritative tone.

“In order to win a fight, you have to know who you’re fighting,” he said. “You’re fighting somebody who thinks they’re Superman. They have nothing to lose.”

It was a humbling message intended to establish an underdog mentality amongst a group used to the highest levels of success. But it struck a chord and established a pervasive attitude for the entire group. Ultimately, it sparked crucial buy in.

2. Speak to, not at

Coach K was masterful in making realistic demands. He didn’t scream at the world’s greatest players to lose their identities and make peace with terrible stats or low minutes. He just asked them to sacrifice a bit and unite over a period of time.

“You have to give me the egos that you have on your current basketball team, bring them to this team, and put them all under one ego umbrella,” he said.

Once again, it was an in-touch demand, and players could understand the logic behind it.

3. Find alternative messengers

Krzyzewski consistently preached the values of unity and sacrifice, but any team will get tired of solely hearing a single voice.

So, he brought in U.S. Army personnel who were also able to speak to the importance of representing a nation and the selfless service required to accomplish a daunting task.

We may not have the budget to bring in guests, but as leaders, we’d be wise to look for alternative ways to communicate messages we desperately want our team to process.

Talent alone doesn’t lead to success. True greatness is only attainable when a collective purpose is conveyed and standards and expectations are made abundantly clear.

Despite his prior inexperience leading generational basketball superstars, Coach K was able to establish his authority with Team USA within hours.

And his wise words on sacrifice, humility and collective purpose can lead to gold for any leader.