Stephen Curry's Handshakes

Last week, the Golden State Warriors opened their season with an exhibition game against the Washington Wizards in Japan.

It was a somewhat meaningless contest largely intended to present the NBA to a wider audience — but it actually featured an important leadership lesson.

Golden State had 20 players on its roster for the game, several of whom are unlikely to make the team on opening night.

And yet, just before tipoff, Stephen Curry went through personalized handshakes with each, from fellow stars to undrafted rookies.

What’s the significance?

Curry is undoubtedly the face of the franchise, a transcendent superstar and a mainstay of the sport. He could easily big-time his unfamiliar peers, not know their names and pay them little mind for the next few weeks before they’re released or assigned to the G-League (minor league).

But with the handshakes, Curry ingratiates them to Golden State culture — reinforcing the larger organizational values of compassion and joy that Coach Steve Kerr has emphasized for years.

Former coach and NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy is often quoted in sports leadership for saying: “Your best player has to set a tone of intolerance for anything that gets in the way of winning.”

And while that’s certainly true, our best talent also has an obligation to welcome new team members and make them feel valued and appreciated, particularly when they may be nervous or unsure early on in their tenure.

This fall, many of us have already likely found ourselves in a situation similar to Curry’s with new faces in our locker rooms, offices or classrooms.

It’s crucial that we remember our culture can’t just be for the superstars or major revenue drivers of our organization. It has to be for everyone — and how we treat the equivalent of undrafted rookies reflects our true values and priorities.

Some will view welcoming exercises as inconvenient and inconsequential, but truly elite leaders will go out of their way to help someone who can do little for them in return.

A small gesture like Curry's handshakes can speak volumes about our larger team identity.