Train Thoughts

I’m always impressed when I see people exemplifying great leadership. Lately, I’ve been very impressed with John Calipari.

In a recent interview I saw him grilled on his team missing free throws. His answer was that he wasn’t concerned and his team will make the ones they need to win games. I think this sends his team a message that he is so confident in their ability and doesn’t provide an opportunity for doubt in their minds. What sticks in peoples minds is we’ll make the ones that count. A very positive message. Great leadership

Next, two days before the final four from espn the back up point guard from Memphis is suspended.

Surrounded by a swarm of media Thursday minutes before the Tigers’ closed practice at Trinity University, Calipari said backup point guard Andre Allen’s suspension for a violation of team rules won’t “change what will happen this weekend.”

Calipari said: “It may elevate us, because if something is taken away, the team comes together.”

I love how he uses it to pull his team closer together.  It’s like the reporter is offering him a chance to make an excuse, but he turns it into another reason they will win.

“I’ve moved on, I feel bad, I love Andre and I’ll love him a month from now,” Calipari said.

“They may try to [poke] the armor of my team but it will have no effect on me,” Calipari said. “If you really want us to win, then do that kind of stuff. It’s not going to have that kind of effect on me. I’m done reading or listening until Tuesday.”

Next, he shows empathy and love for his troubled player that isn’t going to play in the final four.  The way he handles it earns him respect from his players.

Calipari tried to make the moment light, too, saying that “all we’re going to do is have fun and if it leads us to something Monday night we’ll have a ball. I want these kids to feel nothing but, ‘Let’s go play and show what we’re about.’ The reality is that I want to have fun and I want to enjoy this. If you’re in a non-BCS [league like Conference USA] then you don’t get to the Final Four often. So, I’m going to enjoy this as much as they [the players] are.”

The last thing he reminds everyone is to have fun.  Great job John!

My money is on Memphis.