What Every Entrepreneur Can Learn From NCAA Coach Dawn Staley’s Leadership Style

As a South Carolina native and leader in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), I can confidently say that NCAA coach Dawn Staley is no ordinary leader. From his time as an Olympic gold medal-winning basketball player to his role as coach guiding the South Carolina Gamecocks to an undefeated 38-0 season, Staley has a lot to teach us about what it takes to be consistent and successful in the competition. the platform.

It’s easy to call Staley’s success as a former player and coach “luck,” but it’s anything but. Staley has invested in DEI, the leadership and mentoring of his team and himself – which I suspect have all contributed to his record-breaking achievement over the years.

Who is Dawn Staley?

Dawn Staley is an American basketball coach and Hall of Fame player. He has played on all sides of the court as a three-time Olympic gold medalist and as the head coach of a gold medalist team. Because of his impressive record, he is currently (and rightfully so) the highest paid Black coach in women’s basketball. But that’s not all.

Related: Companies Reduce DEI. Why They Shouldn’t And How To Recommit.

Staley fights for wage equality

While many companies and organizations are opting out of DEI, others are doubling down and seeing huge rewards. Well aware of the disparity in pay equity between women’s and men’s basketball teams, Staley has been a bold advocate for equal pay for himself and his players. When he negotiated his record-breaking contract, he had a lawyer on hand to make sure he got the fairest financial deal possible.

In addition, after receiving his financial due, he was generous enough to share the wealth with others. He reportedly sent all the Black Division 1 coaches part of the money he received from the previous tournament to send a message that if one of us wins, we all win.

Related: Why Paying Women Equal Pay Helps—Not Hurts Your Business

Staley understands the power of teaching

Entrepreneurs from all walks of life have cited mentoring – whether given or received – as being responsible for the success of their current business. Staley knows he needs his team as much as they need him, which requires training. He has always been a force on the court and a voice of reason and guidance for his team, passing on what he has learned to the benefit of everyone in his path.

Staley has been clear about the symbiotic relationship he has with his players. Staley told the Oklahoma-based newspaper, “I don’t coach to win awards, I really don’t. I’m more content to be there for my players.” After guiding his team to multiple wins and walking alongside them every step of the way, Staley continues to prove that mentoring is a critical component of any leader’s and team’s success.

Related: Managing a Black Woman? Here’s How To Be A Success Partner And Ally.

Staley knows the importance of being present in every role – big or small

From his days as a player to now becoming a nationally recognized coach, Staley has proven that no role is too big or too small to work. In the early stages of a business, most entrepreneurs know intimately how to wear many hats for months and sometimes years to get the results they want.

Staley knows all too well that it’s a juggling act. Supporting teammates on the court is one role that requires consistency, cooperation and tenacity. Coaching, on the other hand, has given him the tools to build trust, empower others and deliver. Whether as a partner or a coach, he fully commits to the role and being all hands on deck with his team pays dividends.

Staley knows how to build and unite a team to achieve a common goal

While it seems like the entire team fell into Staley’s lap, nothing could be further from the truth. He strived to take a team with a fair record and turn it into a strong and competitive unit. This season, Staley even had to replace the entire starting lineup and was still able to guide them back to the semifinals. This did not happen by accident. It was the result of establishing and fostering a foundation of good team building and trust.

Staley selects players who understand what it means to work hard to achieve a common goal. When businesses hire team members, they often hire for “cultural fit” and select the applicant with the most impressive resume or academic credentials.

However, they often fail to examine the way they were raised and the values ​​each employee has. In the past, Staley has highlighted his philosophy of only hiring players who respect their parents, which shows that if a player doesn’t respect his parents, they won’t respect their coach. Staley has developed strategies for a group of players whose values ​​align with building a relationship of trust and respect with their coach. As we can see, his choice has had positive effects on his team’s performance and relationships.

Related: Avoiding the Sea of ​​Sameness: How Cultural Recruitment Improves DEI

Final thoughts

The consistent winning streak enjoyed by the South Carolina Gamecocks is far from over. Serving as a coach after having experience as a player is a significant advantage and puts Staley in a strong position to lead others. It shows that Staley has been there and done that and knows the path to success because he first lived it as a player. Furthermore, his ability to put himself in his team’s shoes is a form of empathy, a key pillar in DEI. From this empathy, he was able to build trust after carefully selecting team members with the principles and tenacity needed to truly respect the game, their coach, their teammates and themselves. Dawn Staley exemplifies what strong leadership looks like by empowering herself and others to work toward DEI, resilience, and excellence.