The Moments After Defeat

Memphis Basketball Coach Penny Hardaway went viral last week after a foul-mouthed tirade about the treatment he and his team have received from reporters this year.

“Stop asking me stupid f---ing questions about if I feel like I can do something,” Hardaway said immediately after his team suffered a disappointing loss to Southern Methodist. “If I had my roster like they did, then I feel like I can do whatever I want to do.”

But with this response, Hardaway threw himself and ultimately his current players under the bus — coming off as more interested in protecting his coaching reputation than in improving his team.

Hardaway has since apologized for his remarks.

As leaders, it’s crucial to remember that we can’t always speak from the heart in the moments after disappointment. Emotions are too high and thoughts not always clear. We can create far more turmoil than necessary by acting on our impulses that are significantly clouded.

Regardless of an outcome, selfless leadership must always prevail. The leader must focus far more on the needs of his/her followers than on his own — and encourage and empower his/her team to take ownership of the challenges at hand.

Leaders must absorb full blame when failure occurs and insist the issue is theirs to fix, thus shielding their teams from the inevitable firestorm of criticism.

It’s easy to lead during success, but it’s the trying and uncertain times that ultimately build trust, earn respect and determine our effectiveness.

We as leaders must always watch our words, protect our team members and, above all, leave excuses at the door.