True Leadership: Sharing the Stage When You Win

I’m not a Knicks fan (nothing personal to those who are), my loyalties just lie elsewhere.

But like millions of others, I thoroughly enjoyed watching them lift the Larry O’Brien after a 53-year drought. While a lot has been written about the resilience of this team and how they defied expectations, one specific moment stood out to me after the final whistle.

It was a moment featuring their head coach, Mike Brown.

Now bear with me as I dip my toes ever so slightly in what I know is peak LinkedIn cringe-bait

Having just secured his fifth championship, he stepped onto the stage. With every camera pointed at him and every journalist’s pen poised, he used his peak moment to shout out his offensive coordinator.

When his own stock was at an all-time high, Mike Brown chose to use his platform to advocate for his assistant, his offensive coordinator - Chris Jent.

“Chris Jent, my associate head coach, I’m surprised he hasn’t gotten an interview. He’s our offensive coordinator. He’s been around for a long time. Somebody needs to give him an interview because he’ll help your team win at the highest level.”

To me, that is what leadership looks like. He didn’t have to use that career-defining moment to elevate someone else, but he did anyway. That’s how you earn the respect of your team. That’s how you solidify loyalty.

When you win, share the stage. Your team’s stock rises, and honestly, so does yours.

This article was originally published on LinkedIn. Join the conversation there!