Learn across domains. What is the definition of leadership? There is no universally accepted definition. Above all, leadership is influence – leading both ourselves and others.
In “Hal Moore on Leadership,” Lieutenant General Hal Moore emphasizes competence, judgment, and character. He believed that most failures were not of competence but of character and judgment. “Toxic leadership is not acceptable.”
Basic Principles
1. Three Strikes and You’re Not Out
“Begin with the end in mind.” Resilience has to begin at the beginning with determination and will to prevail. Demonstrate belief and positive attitude. Have unwavering commitment to excellence.
Basketball – Stay in the fight. In a 1973 postseason game against the sectional top seed (22-0), we trailed 26-12 in the second quarter. The coach took a time out and asked what we wanted to do. “83” – the UCLA three-quarter court press. We went on a 23-0 run over the next 8:35 and won.
2. There’s Always One More Thing You Can Do
- Get the job done.
- Plan ahead – essentials versus extras and “what if?”
- There will always be constraints (especially time and money)
- Control and protect your “Center of Gravity” (people or other)
- Innovation
Basketball – In highly contested (close and late) games, have functional offensive and defensive delay games, and situational “answers” – ATOs, BOBs, SLOBs, and “best action” versus man and zone.
3. Complacency Kills – When There’s Nothing Wrong, There May Be Something Wrong
- Many examples exist…Pearl Harbor could “not be attacked” but the Japanese figured a way.
- The New York Jets were a 21 point underdog in the Super Bowl III against the Colts. Joe Namath promised victory and won 16-7.
Basketball – Never underestimate an opponent. Gregg Popovich says that in every season, you’ll have eight games where you can’t do anything wrong and eight where you can’t do anything right. How you do in the rest defines your season. Prepare for the worst.
4. Trust Your Instincts
The leader must make it happen yet “face up to reality.” “If there’s doubt in your heart, don’t do it.” Exceptional leaders have risen because of their ability to lead themselves first – discipline.
Basketball – You’re the head coach, the leader because someone thinks you’ll present solutions. “Don’t think, just do.”
Simplify and restate these…our acronym is RICE.
R – Resilience. Never give up.
I – Innovation. What else can we do?
C – Complacency kills. Prepare for contingencies.
E – Ego. Look inward for solutions while seeing reality.
SUMMARY:
Leadership is influence – first over ourselves, then over others. Its foundation blends competence with character and judgment. As Lieutenant General Hal Moore warned, most failures stem from poor judgment or weak character. In basketball and in leadership, these principles demand perseverance, preparation, creativity, and self-mastery. Critical habits allow a leader to influence outcomes when pressure is highest.
Lagniappe. AI (Claude.ai) suggests another Moore principle, echoing Pete Newell’s.
Explain the “Why” — Never Just Give Orders
Leaders must establish clear intent — the “why” — along with the end state, and articulate them clearly. Moore argues that if you can’t justify the rationale of an order to yourself, you shouldn’t make your subordinates carry it out.
Lagniappe 2. Why am I making this choice? Keeping a journal or records about why we make decisions we make can help us improve our process and therefore our results.
Example: Many years ago in a big non-league game, leading by ten, the coach sent a star player to the scorer’s table. The game proceeded without a play stoppage and the lead evaporated to zero. Taking a timeout or even a foul would have been strategic. The team lost by two.