The Value of a Truth Teller

Our next Daily Coach Network free seminar, “How Championship Teams Build Culture” is on Wednesday, July 10th at 4:30 p.m. EST/1:30 p.m. PST. There are 47 spots left, secure yours here: Save my spot.

After the 1979 football season, Columbia University’s board of trustees and its athletic director knew they needed a change of direction. 

Over the past six seasons, the Lions football program had won 12 games and lost 41, with one of their former players, Bill Campbell, as their head coach. Campbell was well liked, smart, tough and hard working. He devoted his life to trying to improve Columbia football fortunes, working himself into such a frenzy that he needed to be hospitalized twice for exhaustion. 

But no matter what Campbell tried, the scoreboard wasn’t changing. 

Since Campbell’s departure, in 1980 the Lions have 10 winning seasons, a 123-342-3 record, which implies that was wrong during Campbell’s tenure wasn’t actually his fault. 

Campbell entered the private sector and became a famous executive coach, mentoring some of most famous people in Silicon Valley, from Steve Jobs to Larry Ellison, to Sheryl Sandberg to the founders of Google.

Campbell impacted everyone with his sage advice, his ability to motivate, willingness to offer a different perspective and an honest approach. He wasn’t trying to be their friend or tell them what they wanted to hear. Rather, he was trying to be their truth teller — and he became the ultimate truth teller for all.

We all need truth tellers in our lives. Joe Mazzulla, the head coach of the Boston Celtics, struggled his first year on the job. He was constantly criticized for mistakes, for not being proactive during games and being seemingly overwhelmed. 

President Brad Stevens didn’t listen to the noise on the outside of replacing Mazzulla. Instead, he brought in seasoned former Houston Rockets and New York Knicks Coach Jeff Van Gundy to offer help. 

Van Gundy had just been let go by ESPN in a cost-cutting move, and one of his best friends had passed away. He needed an escape, he needed to go back to his first love — coaching — and mentor a young coach who would take his advice and counsel as coaching, not as criticism. 

Van Gundy learned that sharing his wisdom being a truth teller was the best medicine to cure his ails. 

“Jeff’s been great,” Stevens said. “And it’s all the way through that coaching staff. They’ve been terrific. Jeff, in his consultant role, our six player enhancement coaches have been amazing with our ‘stay ready’ group.”

As leaders, the most important hire we can make is finding that one truth teller, who relishes giving advice that’s been well-researched, absent of ego and is direct.

When a truth teller is working at his/her best, they have no other agenda then helping the organization be successful. The best truth tellers speak from experience, but more importantly, they speak as an expert.

They possess great confidence in their advice, they are willing to accept the potential of being wrong (rarely they are) and never get upset if their thoughts are overruled, because they know their judgement will prove correct. Not in a “know it all manner,” rather a humble, “I’ve seen this before way.”  

Are you a truth teller? Do you have one in your life?

If not, find one now.

Looking to re-shape your company’s or team’s culture? Learn how championship teams establish higher standards, more accountability, and a winning mindset from former 3x Super-Bowl winning NFL Executive, Michael Lombardi. 

Don’t miss your chance to attend Michael Lombardi’s live seminar, “Learning to Lead: How Championship Teams Build Culture,” on July 10th at 4:30 p.m. EST/1:30 p.m. PST. 

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