Steve Kerr played for Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich - two of the...
Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness@coachajkings
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Aug 24, 2025
~1 min read
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Steve Kerr played for Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich - two of the best coaches in NBA history.
He was asked: "What made them both great?"
His answer was just TWO attributes. Simple and powerful.
Here's what those TWO attributes are and why all great leaders have them:🧵
He was asked: "What made them both great?"
His answer was just TWO attributes. Simple and powerful.
Here's what those TWO attributes are and why all great leaders have them:🧵
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Kerr's answer was:
"You could feel that they loved you and they cared about you, but you were a little afraid of them. You didn't want to disappoint them."
It was about respect.
Great leaders hold you to a high standard.
They balance care with demanding.
Let me explain...
"You could feel that they loved you and they cared about you, but you were a little afraid of them. You didn't want to disappoint them."
It was about respect.
Great leaders hold you to a high standard.
They balance care with demanding.
Let me explain...
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Here's how it works:
1. The love and care builds trust.
2. The high standards builds respect.
Jackson and Popovich didn't rule through intimidation.
They earned the right to demand excellence because they genuinely cared.
Relationships must come before standards.
1. The love and care builds trust.
2. The high standards builds respect.
Jackson and Popovich didn't rule through intimidation.
They earned the right to demand excellence because they genuinely cared.
Relationships must come before standards.
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Both coaches invested deeply in relationships.
This gave them permission to demand greatness.
• They knew about their players and their families.
• They spent time getting to know you.
The care made the standards meaningful.
You knew they believed in you and your potential.
This gave them permission to demand greatness.
• They knew about their players and their families.
• They spent time getting to know you.
The care made the standards meaningful.
You knew they believed in you and your potential.
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Great leaders don't choose between being caring or demanding - they're both.
Warm and demanding is the standard.
Build deep relationships first then use that foundation to set high standards.
When people know you care about them, they'll do anything not to let you down.
Warm and demanding is the standard.
Build deep relationships first then use that foundation to set high standards.
When people know you care about them, they'll do anything not to let you down.
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