From the NCAA to NBA: This Game Is All About People

In the arena of leadership, there are individuals who not only excel in their fields but also redefine what's possible.

Lindsay Gottlieb, with her remarkable journey from women's college basketball to the sidelines of the NBA, embodies this.

Her story is not just about breaking barriers but also about embracing authenticity, caring for others and forging meaningful relationships.

From her early days as a middle-school quarterback, Gottlieb's journey has been marked by a relentless pursuit of her dreams. Encouraged by her mother to dream big, she imbibed the belief that she could be anything she aspired to be. This foundational lesson laid the groundwork for her mindset and future endeavors, instilling in her the confidence to push boundaries and challenge the status quo.

Gottlieb has had a transformational impact on every stop of her coaching and leadership journey. Spending more than a decade on the West Coast, first as a Cal assistant and then as head coach at UC Santa Barbara, Gottlieb would lead the California Golden Bears to the 2013 Final Four and ascend near the top of the school's all-time ranks in winning percentage.

Despite her love of women's basketball, where she was the CEO of the program, Gottlieb eventually wanted to escape her comfort zone.

For her, coaching wasn't just about wins and losses; it was about nurturing human potential and fostering genuine connections.

"My coaching philosophy is caring about human beings,” she said.

“As a coach, you spend more time with your team and players than you often do with your family or your own children. If you don't actually care about them, then what are we doing? I think I found my niche in life and in coaching with that."

Gottlieb's transition from the collegiate ranks to the NBA in 2019 was groundbreaking. Becoming the first NCAA women's head coach to join an NBA team, she challenged the glass ceiling and opened more doors for women in the professional game. Her appointment as the first female coach in Cavaliers history enabled her to bring her rare gift of human connection to a new environment of high performers.

In her coaching philosophy, Gottlieb emphasizes the importance of authenticity and genuine human connection. For her, success on the court is inseparable from the strength of the relationships forged within the team.

"I love basketball. I love the technical part. I love the X's and O's. The human connection that really matters in sports is genderless," Gottlieb said. "Whether it's men or women, good teams and the connection you have on a human level is the beginning to success. I absolutely believe that."

"The No. 1 thing when it comes to connection is being authentic," she added. "Like, really being who you are. That allows people to be who they are and then that relationship is real."

As Gottlieb returned to a familiar state and conference in 2021, leading the USC Trojans women's basketball program, her impact has continued to resonate beyond the scoreboard. She has revitalized a program, a city, and the future of the game.

Gottlieb and her staff have the program fighting on into this year's March Madness as a number one seed while coaching a generational talent and All-American true freshman in JuJu Watkins. With a new generation of players under her guidance, Coach Gottlieb continues to embody the qualities of a transformational leader and coach: courage, empathy, and authenticity.

In a world where barriers still exist, Gottlieb stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Her journey reminds us that leadership is not defined by gender or title but by the depth of our humanity and the sincerity of our connections.

As leaders, let us embrace her example, striving to cultivate environments of greater belonging where those we lead have the unique opportunity to thrive, evolve and dream bigger.

"This business is all about relationships,” Gottlieb said.

“It's a business of people."

Here's a community insight from The Daily Coach Network on addressing generational differences: Great leaders ask great questions. Build a bridge with younger generations by asking great questions. Authenticity is always crucial; you have to know what you say you know. 

The Daily Coach Network is a vetted membership community of sports executives, business leaders, and coaches who learn together and support each other to improve their teams' performance.

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