Advice from an NBA All-Star
The very first thing you notice when you see Mark Eaton is his height. At 7’4” that’s to be expected. (That’s not a typo.)
His career in the NBA is well-known: NBA All-Star, leading the league in blocked shots in four seasons, a five-time member on the NBA all-defensive team. He has two records including the most blocked shots in one season (456) and career average blocked shots (3.5).
His career continues as a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and now, author.
His book, The Four Commitments of a Winning Team, is a blend between his intriguing personal story and his principles for teambuilding. Even if you don’t follow professional basketball, I am certain you will enjoy it.
In our interview, you will learn:
- What Wilt Chamberlin told him in five minutes that changed everything
- Why he dreaded his height for much of his life
- How an auto mechanic who wasn’t interested in basketball became an NBA All-Star
- How the never-ending persistence of a coach changed the course of his career
- What a winning team looks like
- Why teamwork is misunderstood
The Four Commitments of a Winning Team
Commitment #1: Know your job.
Commitment #2: Do what you’re asked to do.
Commitment #3: Make people look good.
Commitment #4: Protect others.
Quotes
“A team is a group of people who commit to each other.” -Mark Eaton
“Good things take time, as they should. We shouldn’t expect good things to happen overnight. Actually, getting something too easily or too soon can cheapen the outcome.” -John Wooden
“You can’t always control who your boss is or your work environment, but you can control your approach to personal preparation, teamwork, and dedication to your job.” -Mark Eaton
“My best skill was that I was coachable. I was a sponge and aggressive to learn.” -Michael Jordan
“Honor your role and allow others to honor theirs.” -Mark Eaton
“Even the greatest player in the world cannot do it by himself.” -Mark Eaton
“I’ve got a theory that if you give 100% all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end.” -Larry Bird
“One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one man cannot make a team.” -Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
“Create unselfishness as the most important team attribute.” -Bill Russell
“People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed.” -Samuel Johnson
“The importance of repetition until automaticity cannot be overstated. Repetition is the key to learning.” -John Wooden
More great basketball quotes here.
For more information, see The Four Commitments of a Winning Team.
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