My stumbling - Tim Duncan carried the water to greatness
2022 was a great year. As I’ve mentioned in a previous stumbling we can’t “win” in business (it’s an infinite game) but 2022 sure felt like a “win”. So many of our efforts to be celebrated. Safest year. Most profitable year. Largest volume year. Most laughs. More fun.
As we’re entering 2023 this quote comes to mind: “Winning is difficult… but to win again is much more difficult - because egos appear.” - Carles Puyol (Former Barcelona Captain)
Sam Walker, former sports reporter, wrote a groundbreaking book, The Captain Class, revealing two decades of research of the commonalities of the 17 greatest sports teams of all time!
To sum up the book:
The greatest teams of all time had captains who put the greater good of the team genuinely above their ego.
My favorite example from the book was the San Antonio Spurs (1997-2016).
Tim Duncan was the captain.
He won five national championships & went to the playoffs every year during his NBA career (HISTORIC).
He won more games with one team than any player in NBA history:
Switched positions throughout his career between Center & Power Forward depending on the composition of the team
Stats differed each year depending on the team's needs: some years he focused on points (offense) & some years he focused on blocks (defense)
Agreed to be paid less than market value so the team would be able to afford more talent
Tim Duncan’s response to a reporter asking him about switching positions and taking less pay: “You’re helping them as much as they’re helping you. ”Duncan is highlighting the interdependency of the team. The team’s success was because of the team and not just Duncan.
Duncan did what had to be done for the team to be successful together. He carried the water. He carried it wherever it needed to go. As Tom Brady has stated: “You do your job so everyone around you can do their job.” Duncan’s job changed every year and he didn’t flinch or gloat.
The lesson to remain humble is evergreen.
I believe the members of the leadership team of Century are the captains. The cohesive glue to serve the team and build an organization of greatness.
Let’s stay hungry & stay humble. Like Duncan.
The best teams of all time based on Sam Walker’s stringent parameters:
The Collingwood Magpies (1927-30)
New York Yankees (1949-53)
Hungary International Soccer (1950-55)
The Montreal Canadiens (1955-60)
Boston Celtics (1956-69)
Brazil International Soccer (1958-62)
Pittsburgh Steelers 1974-80)
Soviet Union International hockey 1980-84
New Zealand All Blacks International Rugby (1986-90)
Cuba international women’s volleyball (1991-2000)
Australia International Women’s field hockey (1993-2000)
US Women’s Soccer (1996-99)
San Antonio Spurs (1997-2016)
New England Patriots (2001-2018)
Barcelona soccer (2008-13)
France Men’s Handball
New Zealand All Blacks (2011-15)