Greg Popovich just won his fifth NBA Championship as the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.  Did you see him on the stage getting the trophy?  Nope, he was in the background, he appeared to be posted up against the scorers table while his team was interviewed by Stuart Scott of ESPN.  I actually think if Pop could have went back to the locker room he would have.

We all know he is a great coach, and he gets joked on a lot about his short interviews at half-time and in between quarters, but this guy is the true definition of a leader.

What makes “Pop” so great?

• I don’t think I have ever heard him use the pronouns I or me. It is always them, the players, the team, the (INPUT Players names).
• He makes sure his team gets the credit when they win
• He takes the blame when they lose.
• He never talks about his career or his legacy.
• He loves his players.
• His players get better each year.
• He leads by example.
• He has a system and sticks to it.
• He has created a winning culture
• The team is always having fun.
• He doesn’t want credit, he wants to give credit.
• He is loyal and the team knows it.
• He never talks about what he did or how he did it. It’s always about the players.

I know there are a lot of other reasons why Greg Popovich is a great leader.  But last night as I watched the San Antonio Spurs win their fifth NBA Championship under Greg Popovich, I was in awe of how he handled it all.  He is the true definition of great leadership and a great example for all aspiring leaders or current leaders to emulate.

Brian Willett