April 1, 2025 • 44 mins
How do you transform losing teams into champions? What makes an uncommon leader? Coach Jim Johnson discovered the answers to these questions through both devastating failure and extraordinary success during his 30-year basketball coaching career.
The journey begins with humility. After being fired from his first coaching position following 17 consecutive losses, Johnson realized he had much to learn about leadership. This humbling experience became the catalyst for developing seven leadership keys that ultimately produced 428 victories and transformed multiple basketball programs.
At the heart of Johnson's leadership philosophy lies the understanding that great leadership starts with self-leadership. "Who's the first person you need to lead? Yourself," Johnson explains. This means clarifying your personal mission and core values before attempting to lead others. From there, building trust becomes foundational—aligning words with actions, telling the truth (even when difficult), and providing specific, meaningful recognition.
The conversation takes an extraordinary turn when Johnson shares what he calls "the greatest night I ever had in coaching." The J-Mac story—where team manager Jason McElwain, a student with autism, scored 20 points including six three-pointers in the final four minutes of his first and only game—transcends basketball. What made this moment truly special wasn't just J-Mac's performance, but how the team deliberately chose to "shine the light" on their manager, exemplifying the "we over me" mentality Johnson had cultivated.
Throughout his leadership journey, Johnson discovered the power of vulnerability and becoming what he calls the "chief question asker" rather than simply providing answers. By shifting from dictating to listening, he empowered players to take ownership and exceed their perceived limitations.
Whether you're leading a business team, coaching athletes, or simply striving to become a better version of yourself, Coach Johnson's principles offer a roadmap for authentic, transformative leadership. His message—respect all people—serves as both a guiding value and a challenge to leaders everywhere.
Learn More About Coach Jim Johnson: Visit his website at coachjimjohnson.com for more information on his leadership programs and speaking engagements.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
I gave Jason his first jersey.
He was number 52.
It was way too big.
He didn't care.
In fact there was a rumor goingaround school that he slept in
it for both nights.
He was pretty fired up.
Well, the game begins, and Iwill say before the game,
because we honored the seniorsbefore the game.
To see Jason embrace hisparents in uniform is a memory I
will always cherish.
(00:20):
I mean, it brought tears to myeyes.
So my dream was John.
I wanted to get him in withenough time to score a basket.
I thought if he could score abasket that would be a memory he
would have for the rest of hislife.
Well, he gets in with fourminutes to go.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Hey Uncommon Leaders, welcome back.
This is the Uncommon LeaderPodcast.
I'm your host, john Gallagher.
What's March Madness?
And who better to have onduring March Madness but a
successful basketball coach anda great leader?
That's what the Uncommon Leaderis all about.
I've got Coach Jim Johnson todayto add some value to you
listeners in tying basketballcoaching and business leadership
(01:02):
together in a way that I thinkis going to be very
inspirational for you.
Just a little bit of backgroundabout Coach.
In his 20-year coaching careerhe had 428 victories, turned
three teams around.
If I said that wrong, he'sprobably going to have that 428.
He's turned three teams aroundas we go forward, transforming
losing teams into champions, andhe's got a special story that's
(01:24):
coming up on 20 years thatwe'll talk about the J-Mac story
.
Many of you who are listenersand know me when you're a sports
fan, you're going to recognizethis story.
But we're going to get a chanceto talk about his seven
leadership keys that he nowshares with other leaders and
businesses to help them grow.
Coach Johnson, it's great tohave you on the Uncommon Leader
(01:44):
Podcast.
How are you doing today?
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Thank you, John.
Yeah, I will say I appreciatethat, but I did coach.
I was a head coach for 30 years30 years, okay, 30 years.
I coached for 35, two years incollege and 33 in the high
school.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
I was trying to get you a better average wins per
year.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
Yeah, so that was a lot of wins In fact I'd be
pretty proud of 20 years, over400 wins.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Well, it takes a little while to turn them around
and then get to that 25 winnumber every year.
All right, so I'll give youthat.
So let's start this.
We're recording this on day oneof the NCAA basketball
tournament getting started,better known as March Madness.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
So before I even jump in, like the leaders, do you
play a bracket?
I have again this year.
I used to be really big into it.
I'm not quite as big since I'vebeen out of coaching, although
obviously I still lovebasketball.
It's always such an excitingtime of the year because the
hard part is I've never beengreat with the brackets because
I always pick some upsets, butit seems like I pick the wrong
ones.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
It's a tricky thing.
For sure, it's important to getthose 512s right.
There's usually always one ortwo each year.
Go ahead and share it so we canput the money on it.
I'll get the podcast out beforethe end.
Who you got going all the way?
Speaker 1 (02:58):
Florida.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Florida.
Yeah, they're playing prettygood, all right, excellent.
Well, I'm glad you shared thatand I know we're missing the
start of this thing, but we'llhave a great interview as part
of that and then get a chance towatch some basketball today.
So I want to ask you the samefirst question, outside of our
basketball interest, but thesame question I always ask my
first time guests, and if youwould tell us a story from your
(03:21):
childhood that still impacts whoyou are today as a person or as
a leader.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
Well, you know, it's interesting because I have a lot
of different you know positiveand some challenging as a child,
but one that sticks out to mewas I'm the oldest of six and I
have my next.
Two are both brothers and wewere pretty darn competitive.
My dad was actually my highschool coach, so he loves sports
(03:47):
as well and we're on thebackyard, but we funny is that I
was mostly in the team sports,but I was actually a pretty good
runner too.
And when my brother and I werechallenging each other about
running around the block and hewent first and I timed him and
then I went second and he wassupposed to time me.
(04:08):
Well, I came back and I I knewI beat him.
I was puffing and huffing andpuffing and uh, he didn't time
me on purpose.
Oh, I started running after himand my next brother went in and
my grandmother was therebecause my mother was out
someplace and she goes.
He, my youngest brother, oryounger brother at the time,
(04:30):
said uh, grammy, I think youmight want to know this, but uh,
jim is ready to kill tom, anduh, so, uh, that's not the only
time we've competed over theyears, but uh, I think it did
bring my nature out that I'm apretty darn competitive person
still to this day.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Well, you spent 30 years in coaching, so you had to
go through a lot of experiencesas well in that competitive
side.
And again, 428 wins that comesalong with a few losses as well.
In terms of going through thatjourney as a coach, was there
any one win that kind of stuckout to you?
That was just really powerful.
I ain't asking the J-Mac storyyet.
(05:12):
Give me a story like yeah, itwas about you and your team.
That really sticks out.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
Well, certainly the J-Mac night, and I won't delve
into it right this moment, butit was the greatest night I ever
had in coaching, so I'm notgoing to lie to you and say that
it was not.
I think the greatest win thatI'm most proud of is my second
to last year.
It was the best team we everhad and we played in a
tournament.
We're in upstate New York, itwas in downstate Westchester and
(05:40):
we played Iona Prep.
It's a small private school andthey were tremendous.
They had two 6'10 kids.
John and I coached for 30 years.
I never had a 6'10 kid ever.
They had two that didn't evenplay.
They were just on the bench.
But their starting center wasthe New York State player of the
year and he actually hasdabbledled.
(06:03):
He's played some in the nba andtheir second best player at the
time was a junior named tyjerome that actually plays for
the cavaliers right now.
So they had two guys thatactually played in the nba, uh,
and we beat them and that wasprobably the greatest win we we
ever had.
Uh, as far as my, I mean, I hada lot of certainly great wins
and all that, but just uh, thefact that I I I know I never
(06:25):
other coached against anotherteam that had two NBA players on
their team.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
I bet not.
And two 6'10 guys on the benchGoodness gracious, holy cow,
that's definitely a team thatwould be a huge win, no doubt
about it.
I mean, I played in high schooland we had some big wins on the
way to a state championship mysenior year.
But I don't know that we everexperienced that with regards to
(06:51):
two NBA players and two 6'10guys and having that win.
That's pretty cool.
I'd love the overlap betweensports and leadership and you
think about some of thoselessons and we're going to get
into your seven keys here injust a little bit but some of
those memories have got to bethose moments that are not even
basketball-related for you andthe leadership, especially
coaching high school kids.
(07:11):
What was it that was mostrewarding for you inside of that
space of the leadership andsports that you continue to find
value in today?
Speaker 1 (07:22):
Well, the two things is one is really, you know, as I
became better and became, Ithink, a better leader is really
focusing on buildingrelationships, and that's the
power.
And then just the other thingyou know I'm a pretty driven guy
and you know I'm really intogoals and I spent a lot of time
working with our players on bothour team and individual goals.
(07:44):
But when you could get a groupof young men to work together
and do more than they think theycan, to me that was like the
greatest feeling in the world,you know, is that you know, when
you got them and it'sinteresting because you know,
some of my best teams, talentwise, didn't, in my opinion,
reach their full potential.
And then there was a few otherteams where, you know, I didn't
(08:06):
think they were going to bereally that good and they just
exceeded, and it just had somuch to do with building that
chemistry and them getting tobelieve in each other and care
about each other.
And, you know, caring about weover me, which is something we,
you know, emphasize pretty muchevery day.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
We over me love that as well.
I mean, I think again, thoserelationships are so important.
I know that some of the onesthat I had especially early on
in my journey after I left highschool, those are the ones that
kind of stick around from amemory standpoint and again,
unfortunately, sometimes youremember the losses even more
difficult than the wins.
I mean, again, you got 30seasons under your belt.
(08:45):
My senior year in high school.
We were 25 and one.
We won the state championshipand surely the first question
that we always get when we talkabout it is well, who did you
lose to?
I can go back to the FairmontWest game that we lost by one
point when we were down ninewith 60 seconds left, and I just
happened to miss a layup withabout three minutes left in the
game wide open layups.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
So yeah, those are the kind of things you ever
remember.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
But they shape you as a leader, Not that it ever
really was that important.
Those on YouTube that'sactually a picture Well, you
can't see it off my head but mestanding there as a senior in
high school and so I still havesome of those memories that
exist in a team photo aroundhere somewhere that team but
those memories stick with youfor a long time.
You have 30 years of thosememories in the coaching world,
(09:30):
plus that time that you werecompetitive, as you say, as an
athlete yourself as well, andyou've ultimately brought that
together now into what you referto, as are your seven keys to
leadership that are for businessleaders as well as those in
sports.
While we won't have a chance totalk about all seven of those,
maybe if you could just outlinewhat they are and then
(09:51):
ultimately really talk about howyou got to those keys Was it
over your coaching time or howdid you get to them?
Speaker 1 (09:57):
Yeah, so I'll start with a quick story, just to give
you context.
So my dream when I got out ofcollege was to I wanted to be a
teacher and I wanted to be avarsity basketball coach.
And at 25 years old, that dreamcame true after only three
years as an assistant coach andI took over a program that
wasn't very good, but in my mindI was going to take them from
the outhouse to the penthouse inthe first season, right?
(10:19):
Well, in that, John, I led thatteam to 17 consecutive losses
and then I was in an interimposition and they did not renew
my contract.
In other words, I was fired,and it was a pretty humbling
experience.
But it probably ended up beingthe best professional experience
for me from a negativestandpoint, because it woke up a
(10:41):
young, arrogant 25-year-oldthat realized that he had a lot
to learn how to be a leader anda coach.
And so that's when I reallystarted my journey of studying
leadership and, you know, did alot of reading, went to a lot of
clinics and conferences andpicked different people's brains
and listened to a lot of audioprograms.
Back then there were cassettetapes and all that Jim Rohns and
(11:03):
all of them, and so I.
So it was just really, as Icontinue to, to grow, I really
want to establish some structure, you know cause I think great
leaders develop processes andsystems that you know people can
get used to, and that'ssomething I think we get.
We really did much better andour players really appreciated
(11:25):
it.
So these were the seven keys,and then we can delve into one
or two of them, whatever, butclarifying your vision, which I
talk about how to lead yourselffirst before you can lead others
.
Number two is building trust.
Number three is called creatingan edge.
Number four is effectivecommunication.
Five is one that is prettyobvious, but, boy, I found a lot
(11:47):
of leaders don't do this verywell, and that's lead by example
.
Number six is my leadershipphilosophy, which I call leaving
a profit.
And then number seven issomething I really built into as
I learned more about it and nowit's gotten pretty big in
leadership and that servantleadership.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Excellent those seven keys.
And now it's gotten pretty bigin leadership and that servant
leadership Excellent those sevenkeys.
And I think about looking backall those things that led you to
those seven keys.
And look, 25-year-old firstly,in his first head coaching
position.
I look at my sons now and Ilook back at my time as a
25-year-old.
I can't imagine leading thatvarsity team that early.
There are some that are able todo that, but it's usually that
(12:26):
learning experience that comesinto play and I heard a little
bit of that pride that's inthere.
What are some of the otherbarriers?
Before we jump into maybe oneor two of your keys?
But what are some of thebarriers that leaders have, like
pride, that keep them frombeing successful?
Speaker 1 (12:43):
Well, it's a really powerful thing because, you know
, I've talked about differentthings, but one thing that jumps
out to me is that I, when Ibecame I kid people that as a
leader you got to be the CQA,the chief question asker, and
you know, when I started to comein with that perspective, that
I was going to ask morequestions.
(13:03):
But then the other part aboutleading is taking the time to
listen.
You know, and you know thefamous Stephen Covey seek first
to understand before beingunderstood and then really
understanding.
This is easy to say, but as aleader I think it's very
difficult.
But I believe the best leadersare finding the best answers to
(13:27):
solve the problems notnecessarily their answers and,
again, easy to say.
But you know, we all as leadersand all people have an ego to
some degree and usually when youget a leadership position, you
have maybe even a bigger ego.
A bigger ego you can reallystart to to say you know that
(13:48):
famous we over me that Imentioned earlier is that, you
know, and really getting uhimpact, like one of the things.
Uh, we did a captain's meetingevery week and and it was always
on mondays unless we had a gamewhich was rare and early on.
John, I always would come inwith an agenda, but it was all
about me.
And then, probably the lasthalf of my career, I came in
with an agenda, but it was allabout me.
And then probably the last halfof my career I came in with the
agenda was just questions andquestions like hey, how's our
(14:10):
team chemistry this week?
You know, what do you think weshould focus on to be better
this week?
How can I coach you better?
Is there any player right nowon the team that we should be
made aware of, this struggling,that we can help out this week?
You know, so, just and boy, thecaptains really took ownership
and you know, I think thatspread throughout the whole team
.
The coach wanted to know aboutyou and wanted to get your input
(14:34):
.
And the other thing I think isreally clear I did a lot of
one-on-ones and one of thethings I always told our players
is I want to hear from you.
I'm not going to always agreewith you, and when I don't agree
with you, I'm going to sharewhy.
And you may not like that, butat least you know where I'm
coming from.
Because I think the breakdownin communication is when people
(14:57):
don't do that.
It's just my way or the highway.
Well, that doesn't go over verywell, especially with young
people.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
Hey listeners, I want to take a quick.
Many of the topics anddiscussions we have on this
podcast are areas where Iprovide coaching and consulting
services for individuals andorganizations.
If you've been inspired by ourconversation and are seeking a
catalyst for change in your ownlife or within your team, I
invite you to visitcoachjohngallaghercom forward
(15:25):
slash free call to sign up for afree coaching call with me.
It's an opportunity for us toconnect, discuss your unique
challenges and explore howcoaching or consulting can
benefit you and your team.
Okay, let's get back to theshow.
Well, absolutely, and again,even as you're seeing, with the
title of head coach or the titleof leader, that's the first
(15:49):
level that we go through.
John Maxwell talks about levelsof leadership, five levels and
he says the first one isposition and people follow you
because they have to.
Now, you talked about this withregards to relationships, and
leading by example is that youwant to move to permission.
Ultimately is players.
I mean they want to know why amI not playing, why am I not
(16:15):
good enough to be in thestarting five?
And you have to learn to havecandor with them, to let them
know what that is, but to alsoknow that you have a very
important role to play on theteam Leads into me.
One of the keys that I wantedto ask you about we talked about
this before getting started wastrust, and you talk about this
intentional trust plan that youput together.
Tell me a little bit more aboutthat key, the intentional trust
(16:38):
plan.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
Yeah, well, I'm just going to say one thing.
The two C's is I built abasketball program that I think
is really important, is caringand challenging, and I think
when you can combine those two,which will lead into my answer
to the trust.
So, as I mentioned, I struggledmy first opportunity to be a
(17:00):
varsity coach, but I had threeother opportunities In my last
27 years.
I coached in my hometown at twoof the high schools.
I actually went to the otherhigh school so I kind of hit a
ball, and when we took over allthose programs, they had all
been not doing well, and so oneof the things I really figured
out and I really shared with ourstaff is we got to build trust
(17:21):
with our players because we're anew group coming in.
And how do we do that?
And so we came up with threekeys to building trust.
The first one is we had toconsistently align our words and
actions.
And I'll tell you a little sidestory.
That was very powerful for meBecause you know, going to that
other key about leading byexample, well, coach, was one of
(17:42):
the things we mandated for mostof our career is that we, on
the road, we were going to wearshirt and ties.
Well, I didn't love wearingshirt and ties myself, so one
time I choose not to, and all ofmy players, and I'll never
forget one of my parents sayinghey, coach, how come all the
players got to wear shirt?
Speaker 2 (18:00):
and tie.
Speaker 1 (18:01):
You don't, and that was a really good thing for me
to, because after that coachwears shirt and tie the rest of
his career.
If I was an assistant ofplayers, and that's the power of
example, example, I think, isreally important.
The first one is aligning yourwords and actions.
Like one of the things I talkto leaders about is I think you
should have a fewnon-negotiables, but you can't
(18:21):
have like 100 rules, Because ifyou have 100 rules you have no
rules.
But one of our non-negotiablesis we expected our players to be
on time.
So if I said that practice wasstarted, sometimes I did funky
things like we'd start practiceat 2.17 because I really wanted
to make sure that they were ontime and I always would kid them
(18:41):
that if you can't be on time,be early.
Those are your choices and so,with that, that's what you know.
But as myself, you could askall the players that coach never
came late for practice, nevercame late for a meeting, because
that was that important to me.
So aligning your words andactions is so important.
Number two is I think if you'regoing to build trust, you have
(19:02):
to have the foundation oftelling each other the truth,
and you know, one thing I willsay that in leadership as an art
and science is there are timeswhere I think you can call out a
player.
Going back to what we talked,john, about, building
relationships, where someplayers can take some harsh
criticism in front of the teamand it's very helpful.
But getting to know yourplayers some of them don't do
(19:23):
very well with that and that'swhy you got to get to know your
players, because there'ssometimes you got to do that
behind closed doors, but wereally focused on telling each
other the truth.
And then the third thing was isthat you know we took over
programs that hadn't been doingwell?
Is that we really came in witha mindset that we wanted to
catch our players doing well andspecifically praising them.
(19:46):
And I always give an example,like, instead of saying nice job
, johnny, because I was a boysbasketball coach, we want to be
more specific.
I might say something likeJohnny, that was awesome how you
dove on the floor for thatloose ball.
That's what championshipplayers do on championship teams
.
So he has some clarity.
He's being praised, but heknows exactly why he got praised
(20:06):
.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
Love that and I love that as an example as well,
being specific about thatfeedback.
Love that, and I love that asan example as well.
Being specific about thatfeedback.
I actually, when I listen tohear you tell them the truth and
you do that, especially whenit's tough feedback in private
as well, behind closed doors Ilove that.
And certainly, aligning wordsand actions, no doubt about it.
As the leader, things arecaught and not taught and they
(20:28):
will absolutely let you know ifyou're stepping outside, which
back to telling the truth.
Those three things together,they all work well.
I love that as a trust plan.
Those three steps seem verysimple and to your point in
terms of where we got.
In terms of those seven keys.
Those relate to business or,frankly, they relate to life.
There's no doubt about it interms of that trust plan in your
family, in your family.
Align our words and actions,tell the truth.
(20:50):
You'll be on time.
Ultimately, get those threethings done Right.
I mean, it really is thatsimple and it can be that
difficult.
Have you coach, have you had,uh influencers as you develop
these keys, uh in your career,uh, who have made a difference
for you, whether it's, you know,other coaches or authors or
speakers.
Who's influenced you?
Speaker 1 (21:10):
So the two that and I never met either one of them
and I will tell you a little bitabout you know one person that
did that I worked with, but thetwo that influenced me from afar
but I studied them immensely,was the late John Wooden and the
late Jim Rome.
So there was a personal growthguy and then you know a famous
basketball coach.
(21:30):
But, I read and listened to allthe things I could possibly
learn about them, because youknow what it's been fascinating,
because I still do it today,John, I'm fascinated what makes
people great, and I study it allthe time and you know what are
the separators.
Then two people I did get tomeet one's still coaching and
he's kind of rejuvenated hiscareer at St John's.
(21:52):
That's Rick Pitino.
I saw him speak at a basketballclinic in Rochester where I
grew up, and he was justmesmerizing on how impactful he
was.
And then I went and watched himpractice at Providence and then
I actually went to Kentuckywhen he was there and so I
(22:12):
really followed his career.
And it was just kind of aconnection, was that when I,
after I lost my first varsityjob, I got called by a local
junior college coach and he wasa tough guy but I learned a lot
from him.
His name was Bill Van Gundy andthe crazy thing is John, both
his sons, Stan and Jeff, havebeen head coaches in the NBA
(22:34):
numerous times.
So it was amazing because whenI was coaching with Coach Van
Gundy, I was 26, and Stan is myage.
He was a college coach, aDivision III coach, and Jeff had
just taken a high school job,so I think Coach Van Gundy
really helped me get back on myfeet after that stumble in my
first varsity position.
Speaker 2 (22:56):
Love that, even having folks there to pick you
up when you stumble, because Imean, especially frankly in
coaching, it's going to happenIn coaching and leadership
you're going to have tough times.
You're going to go throughtimes or spaces where things
aren't going your way and, toyour point, sometimes the best
thing that can happen to you isto be asked to go and coach
(23:16):
somewhere else or to go leadsomewhere else, whatever that
means in terms of change, and ifyou can take the right
perspective on that can bereally powerful.
I mean, again, patino made hismistakes in his personal life as
well, but look what he's gonethrough in the coaching world.
I mean NBA just recently Iona,st John's, providence, kentucky,
louisville.
(23:37):
Goodness gracious that guy'sstill around.
Coach, when are you going toget the phone call to come?
Speaker 1 (23:43):
back.
Come on now.
You know I'm doing some otherthings and I think I could make
an impact now, but I certainlystill miss it.
I mean, it's something that wasstrongly in my blood.
But you know, I think somethingwe could really learn from rick
patino is that you know he gotreally humbled with some of his
mistakes there at louisville,and how about he goes back and
he coaches iona and I think thelesson I want to share to all
(24:05):
leaders is be great wherever youare, because he got iona, you
know, doing some good things,that that led to the St John's?
Yeah, but now you know how about?
I had no idea, because I grewup in the old Big East and to
think that St John's had not wonthe Big East Conference since
2000.
That's incredible.
Speaker 2 (24:23):
That's amazing, isn't it?
Yeah, yeah, Goodness gracious,In those days I go back into my
high school basketball days atEwing at Georgetown and Mullins
at St John's and.
Syracuse.
Goodness, gracious, washingtonis here.
Look at all those guys thatwere there.
Ronnie Cycli oh, I know.
Wow, that was phenomenal Aphenomenal league.
All right, so we talked abouttrust.
(24:45):
Give me one other key thatyou'd like to talk about today,
and kind of one that's veryimpactful for you.
Speaker 1 (24:51):
You know what I think , because I always start a lot
of my leadership presentationswith this simple question and
most people don't have theanswer.
And that is who's the firstperson you got to lead?
And of course, it's yourself.
And so when I talk aboutclarify and envision one of the
things one of the more impactfulbooks for me early in my life
that I read was Dr Covey's SevenHabits, and that's where I
(25:14):
really got awareness, because Iwas pretty close, you know, when
he's talking about you knowhaving your personal mission
statement, I'm like I know whathe was talking about, but I
really started to think about itand I got very clear and I
encourage leaders to ask thisquestion a lot.
And that is why will you put iton this earth?
(25:34):
If you're a person of faith,like I am, why did God put you
on this earth?
And then the second part ofthat is really getting clarity
of your core values.
Like, one of my core values isto respect all people.
Another one is I want tocontinue to grow and get a
little bit better each day.
But you know, just havingclarity about your core values
and then try to put it into astatement, like and you know I
(25:58):
put this right out there.
When I talk to differentleadership groups, I'll say you
know, my mission is to be anoutstanding role model that
makes a positive difference inthe world by helping others make
their dreams come true.
And you know, each day that'swhat I strive for.
Some days are better thanothers, that's what life is all
about, right.
But when you get clarity of youknow, why are you getting up
every morning, I think it's justa really powerful thing,
(26:20):
because once you start leadingyourself better, then you can
influence and lead others better.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
Love that Starts with you, no doubt about it.
I mean personal missionstatement, personal values.
Write them down, define whatthey mean to you and then,
frankly, look at all the thingsthat you're doing, right your
behaviors and your activities,and say how do they line up?
Are they contributing to meimproving those values?
Are they contributing to memoving toward?
I love that as a personalmission statement.
You know, change the world.
(26:47):
Love that Bold, okay, bigdifference.
Coach, I want to honor you forthat.
That's, that's amazing.
Now you're talking about makinga difference in, in the lives of
others.
Uh, maybe it.
Maybe it's a good time to leadin the story that ultimately
probably impacts everyconversation that you have, and
it's the JMAC story and thosethat are in our generation, you
(27:08):
and I.
They'll remember the ESPNhighlight that drove this.
But tell me the story of J-Macand, ultimately, how you know I
get how it's impacted him and Isee those videos all the time,
but how has it impacted you as aperson in your journey?
Tell me.
Go as far back and as detailedas you want to.
Speaker 1 (27:26):
So I'll start with the context that Jason tried out
for our JV team.
I was the varsity coach back in2003.
And my JV coach came to meduring trials.
He says, coach, we've got thisyoung man on the autism spectrum
which I didn't know much about.
Autism, it was starting tobecome a little bit more
prevalent back then.
We certainly know a lot morebut there's still a lot of
(27:47):
questions about it right now.
And he was very small in stature.
He was like 5'6", 90 pounds,soaking wet.
But my JV coach said Coach, Iwant to keep him in the program
as a manager and let himpractice with the team because
he's got this heart of gold andhe loves the program.
And so that's what he did.
And I was starting to get toknow him because our JV and
(28:07):
varsity games were usuallyback-to-back.
So to get to know him becauseour JV and varsity games were
usually back to back, so he wason the bench for both games but
he was going to JV practices.
But really what I grew such anadmiration.
I will say a quick sidelighthis nickname J-Mac was tagged by
me because I could notpronounce his last name.
Fortunately he liked it and infact I kid people that his
(28:28):
senior year, that almosteveryone in the school knew who
J-Mac was, but most peopledidn't know what his real name
was.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
That's funny, that's great.
Speaker 1 (28:36):
But anyway.
So what I really admired abouthim, john, was how much he was
into basketball.
And after his sophomore seasonhe came to all our off-season
workouts.
I was picking him up from hishouse and even though he wasn't
a very good player, I just Imean, I was so passionate about
basketball and so was he, so wewere always talking basketball.
(28:56):
And so he tries out his junioryear part of the varsity and he
doesn't make the team.
And at that point in my life,john, I was kind of known as the
guy that had winning seasonsbut couldn't win the big one.
We kept losing our postseasontournament.
I'll never forget our firstmeeting that year.
I walk in and Jason immediatelyraises his hand.
I said, yeah, jay Mack.
(29:16):
He says coach, we know you'venever won a sectional
championship.
I said, well, thanks, jason forthe reminder.
But this year is going to bedifferent.
We're going to adopt this stayfocused mantra and we're going
to help you win.
Well, we have another goodseason, jason's junior year.
We lose in our sectionalsemifinals.
For the sixth time in my career.
I'd never taken a team even tothe finals and we lose at the
(29:38):
buzzer.
So it was a devastating loss.
But Jason really picked me upbecause after that season he
said, coach, we're going to doit next year.
And he came to everything andagain, so tries out a senior
year, I bring him in.
I said J-Mac, unfortunatelyyou're not quite good enough to
make the team and he was prettydisappointed because it was
three years in a row and I neverhad a player try out three
(29:58):
times in a row without making itbut the.
But he I said I have a gift foryou and his head popped back up
and he said yeah, what's that,coach?
I said well, for senior nightI'm going to give you a uniform
and hopefully get you in thegame.
And I kid people thatperiodically he would ask me
about that uniform during theseason, and of course I define
periodically as about everyother day.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
He wasn't going to let it go he heard it.
Speaker 1 (30:22):
So the little quick thing is that his senior season.
We were expected to have a verygood team.
We had a lot returning from theprevious year.
But adversity hit.
We won our first two games andthen we had an incident it was
in my book called the Coach anda Miracle, where it divided the
team and John.
I resigned because it was sobad for a while and it led this
(30:43):
team.
That was because they weredivided.
We really struggled for thenext three weeks.
We lost three games.
We shouldn't have lost any ofthem and what changed it was I
did a leadership thing that I'mproud of.
I didn't know if it was goingto work, but we had a Christmas
tournament and we won in theopening round.
We were playing the wholeschool and they were really good
(31:04):
.
And we had a shoot-aroundbecause it was during Christmas
break for an hour and I neverbrought out basketballs.
I sat in little bleachers and Ijust opened my heart up.
I go, guys, unless we decidewe're going to unite a fair
point, our opponent at night isgoing to beat us by 50 points.
And but the best thing I didand something I want to share
(31:24):
with leaders is I becamevulnerable.
I said I don't have the answersbut but you do and you got to
be willing to share.
And we never brought abasketball out in that hour, we
just shared ideas and I couldsee a little bit different
bounce in their step and thatnight we lost a fair part, but
we lost them in overtime and itshowed what we could do and then
(31:44):
we got some momentum going.
So we won eight of our next ninegames, going into senior night
and februaryth the game was onFebruary 15th I gave Jason his
first jersey.
It was number 52.
It was way too big.
He didn't care.
In fact there was a rumor goingaround school that he slept in
it for both nights.
He was pretty fired up.
Well, the game begins.
(32:05):
And I will say before the game,because we honor the seniors.
Before the game, to see Jasonembrace his parents in uniform
is a memory I will alwayscherish.
I mean, it brought tears to myeyes.
Well, now we get into thefourth quarter and it's just
over four minutes.
And my dream was John.
I wanted to get him in withenough time to score a basket.
I thought if he could score abasket that would be a memory he
(32:26):
would have for the rest of hislife.
Well, he gets in with fourminutes to go.
And I'm usually a pretty machoguy, you know I stand up pretty
much through the entire game.
But what happened nextprofoundly touched my heart and
soul.
When he walked on the court forthe first time, all our student
body, they called themselvesthe six men.
They gave him a standingovation.
(32:46):
But what I didn't know andJason didn't know this either
one of our parents had madethese pictures, these placards
of Jason's face.
In fact, president Bush, we hada chance to meet him and he
actually took a placard backwith him to the White House.
So, anyways, they show allthese placards.
And it touched me so deeply,john.
I sit down and tears start toroll down my face.
(33:07):
They're trying to wipe my face.
I'm like, oh my God.
So Jason's in his first varsitygame.
First time he touches the ball.
He has a three-pointer from theright corner.
He lets it go.
I tell you, the whole crowdstood up in anticipation.
He misses by like six feet andI kid people that I know you're
not supposed to pray in thepublic schools, but, dear god,
(33:28):
it was praying.
Please help him get one basket.
Next he has a much shorter shotfrom about 10 feet, and this
time it hits the backboard, hitsthe rim and falls off, and that
whole crowd groans.
But I'm thinking all right, godstarted listening.
We're getting closer.
Then the third possession.
He has another three-pointerfrom the right wing.
He lets it go.
Magic it goes in.
(33:49):
The place just erupts.
And I'm thinking to myself godmust be a basketball fan.
Not only is jason scored, he'sgot a three-pointer.
Getting better than this?
Well, the next possession comesout, he makes another three and
it goes louder.
And then I'm going to fastforward, then I'll come back and
I got two quick points to sharewith you.
But jason's idol, I kid you not, was the late kobe bryant.
(34:09):
Jason used to sign his nameJason J Mac Kobe McElwain.
That's how much you like KobeBryant.
Well, six months after thatgame, jason's at the Esprit
Awards.
He's up for the greatest sportsmoment of the year.
And I kid you, not one of theother finalists there were four
of them was Kobe Bryant.
Kobe had scored 81 points in agame for the Lakers that year.
(34:31):
So Jason meets his idol andbeats him out for the ESPY.
Well, how does he do that?
Well, after making those twothrees, he comes down.
He actually his only two-pointbasket is actually his foot was
on the line.
And then he made a couple ofmisses and the place is just in
pure bedlam.
Two things I'll never forget.
John, with a minute to go, I'msitting on the bench.
(34:52):
I'm in shock, tears stillrolling down my face.
I can't believe what I'm seeing.
And I get a tap on my shoulder.
I'm shocked.
I look behind me it's J-Mac'smother and John.
She's bawling her eyes out.
And she gives me this bigembrace and she says Coach, come
(35:14):
on keep going.
Speaker 2 (35:15):
I know the story and I'm still in tears coming out.
Speaker 1 (35:18):
Our opponent is Spencer Ford and I want to give
kudos.
They were a great sports thatnight.
But they score with about 10seconds to go and our player
that takes a lot of bounds.
He normally throws to a pointguard, but this time he throws
it right to j mac and j mac'sdribbling down and I think he's.
They're just gonna let him goin and make a layup.
Oh no, he pulls up like twofeet behind the arc, almost an
nba three.
I think j mac don't shoot fromthere, you're gonna ruin this
(35:39):
moment.
He launches this rainbow swish.
I look over and it was justlike the movie rudy the whole
gym ran on the floor and ourplayers put him up on their
shoulders.
He got the game ball over hishead.
At that point I had no idea howmany points he had and our
public address announcer comesout and says the leading scorer
for Grease Adina tonight, j-mac,with 20 points, including six
(36:03):
three-pointers and it was justcrazy.
And you know one thing that I dowant to share there are so many
lessons that I learned fromthat, but probably the greatest
because I mentioned that we hadreally struggled as a team for a
while and I knew the playersliked Jason, but I wasn't sure.
But the greatest thing thattouched me so deeply was the
(36:24):
players, on their own, decidedthat they were going to shine
the light on J-Mac and theypassed him the ball every
possession.
In fact, I still kill Jason tothis day.
J-mac, I'm still looking foryour first assist.
You didn't make one pass, butit was just really cool.
And then, I guess, just to wrapthat up, j-mac now has to go
(36:45):
back as our team manager becauseyou got to play six games in
the regular season, but yet heembraced that role and we had
never won the sectionalchampionship and we ended up.
We were down 14 to 3 in thechampionship, gave in front of
10,000 people.
We came back, really and wonright at the end and won our
first sectional championship.
And the really cool thing, john, because I mentioned earlier
(37:08):
about we over me and that's whatI love about Jason, because
people would ask him all thetime after that.
What was the best thing aboutyour senior season?
Expecting him to talk about hisgame and he'd say, went in
Section 5 championship.
There's nothing better thanthat.
And yet, you know, I wasfortunate to be a coach of
(37:29):
leading a lot of Section 5championships after that.
And yet the best thing thatever happened in my life in
coaching was at night.
Speaker 2 (37:33):
It just, uh, it touched my heart so deeply,
coach, I know you can never gettired of telling that story in
19 years and just the impactthat had on so many like I can.
I can now remember the ESPNhighlight, like it was yesterday
I'm going to put a link to itand that I watched the ESPY uh
speech that he gave as well whenKobe Bryant was there, to put a
(37:55):
link to it.
And that I watched the ESPYspeech that he gave as well when
Kobe Bryant was there.
Put a link to that one too.
But, as you said, probably thatmoment for you it's one thing
to see him make those shots,another thing to have his mother
behind you and give you thatbig hug as well.
I mean the we over me component, the we over me component.
While it may have catapultedyou into the limelight as well,
I hope that feeling during thattime never leaves you and never
(38:17):
leaves him also.
Speaker 1 (38:20):
So how cool was that story?
I certainly I would never beconsidered a marketing expert,
because you know it's funny,because the only thing back then
is you had to call in our localnewspaper and back then we just
they used to follow it betterthan they do now but we didn't
even get a headline.
I take that back.
It said Greece-Athena ties forleague title and it mentions
(38:41):
just a little bit about JMAC andreally how it exploded, john,
because I wouldn't have done it.
I mean, I was so touched by itand in fact the next day at
school all we did I was a physed teacher we watched the game
film the whole day.
But what I didn't know is whenJason Speeds, pathologist,
called one of our local TVstations and they borrowed the
video and that night they showedit and within three days it was
(39:03):
viral all over the world.
It was crazy.
Speaker 2 (39:06):
Yeah, before those days of social media to get
there.
That's the thing.
Speaker 1 (39:25):
It just makes it viral.
Speaker 2 (39:26):
It was unbelievable.
Coach, I appreciate your timetoday.
I appreciate you sharing thatstory and I can see the impact
that it still has on you One ofyour seven keys leaving on him
and making things better in thework that you've done so well
done.
You also talked about maybe Godhad a sense of humor and he
loved basketball.
So I've just got kind of twomore questions or maybe three
more in terms of asking folkswhere to find you.
But how has your faith played arole in your journey from
(39:48):
chasing your brother back intothe house to try and kill him
after he didn't time you when he, you beat him around the block
all the way to you know, frankly, 428 wins later and what you
have going on today.
Speaker 1 (39:59):
Well, you know what?
I've always been a person offaith.
I will say um that because ofall the trials and tribulations
I had as a coach, that therewere times that I did lose a
little faith.
I'm not going to lie to you,but you know I will say that
Miracle Game just really didstrengthen that.
You know God, because you knowpeople sometimes ask me, and I
(40:20):
think God was trying to send amessage because back then there
was a lot of confusion.
There's still not total clarityon autism, but I think it was
his gift to the world to say youknow what people with autism
can do a lot of things and justgive them a chance.
And I think that was a greatmessage.
And so you know I am a strongbeliever in faith and you know I
(40:42):
pray pretty much every day.
Now it's important to me andyou know I just it's something
that I think there's a biggerpower than me, and so I'm
talking to them, I meditateevery day, so I'm listening to
them and I also pray every dayto share some ideas with them.
Speaker 2 (41:01):
Excellent, fantastic Coach.
I appreciate you sharing thatas well.
You got a lot going on rightnow still doing, speaking and
sharing your inspirational story.
How can folks get in touch withyou, coach, to learn more about
you or connect with you?
Speaker 1 (41:14):
Yeah, so probably just the best is the coach Jim
Johnsoncom and that way Iwouldn't forget it.
Or you know my personal emailif people want to reach out as
coach Jim Johnson at gmailcom.
But I I we have a freenewsletter and we have a free
weekly blog and I have a videoseries and we have a podcast as
(41:37):
well Limitless Leadership Loungeto help young and emerging
leaders.
I'm trying to give back becauseI struggle as a young leader,
as I mentioned, and you know Ispeak around the country.
I've been very blessed to speakat a lot of you know
educational speak around thecountry.
I've been very blessed to speaka lot of you know educational
and business type groups to youknow I speak.
I brand myself as aninspirational leader, so trying
(41:57):
to help people buildchampionship teams, you know,
through culture and all thatgood stuff that, coach, I
appreciate you sharing with thelisteners the uncommon leader
podcast.
Speaker 2 (42:14):
I think there I can count on one hand the number of
time I've had stories bringtears to my eyes as well and
those were a fantastic tearsthat you brought and sharing
that inspirational story and theimpact that you've made.
Um last question, I'll give youthe last word.
Uh, this is the last question.
I always finish, um, I guesswith but I'm going to give you a
billboard and you can put thatbillboard anywhere you want to.
Speaker 1 (42:35):
What's the message you're going to put on that
billboard and why do you put itthere?
Well, you know, I think we'vehad some real ups and downs in
our world with chaos and youknow, and the one thing that I
mentioned earlier, but I wouldsay my billboard would say
respect all people.
We don't have to agree witheverybody and we're not going to
agree with everybody, but thething that's been disappointing
(43:01):
to me in leadership I knowyou're a John Maxwell guy, like
I am and the fact that I thinkhe's said it a number of times
his leadership's sad.
And I think that's becausethere's been a breakdown of
respect and to me that's one ofmy core values and no matter
whether I agree or disagree, Ireally encourage people to
respect all people.
Speaker 2 (43:17):
Sure would be a simple rule folks would follow.
I think the world would be adifferent place, Coach.
No doubt about it.
Coach, I wish you the best.
Thank you for sharing with thelisteners and I hope that we can
stay in touch in the future.
Speaker 1 (43:28):
Absolutely.
I loved it, john.
I'm glad that you're making abig impact as well, and I look
forward to growing ourrelationship, so thank you.
Speaker 2 (43:35):
Thank you, and that wraps up another episode of the
Uncommon Leader Podcast.
Thanks for tuning in today.
If you found value in thisepisode, I encourage you to
share it with your friends,colleagues or anyone else who
could benefit from the insightsand inspiration we've shared.
Also, if you have a moment, I'dgreatly appreciate it if you
could leave a rating and reviewon your favorite podcast
(43:56):
platform.
Your feedback not only helps usto improve, but it also helps
others discover the podcast andjoin our growing community of
uncommon leaders.
Until next time, go and growchampions.
I gave Jason his first jersey.
He was number 52.
It was way too big.
He didn't care.
In fact there was a rumor goingaround school that he slept in
it for both nights.
He was pretty fired up.
Well, the game begins, and Iwill say before the game,
because we honored the seniorsbefore the game.
To see Jason embrace hisparents in uniform is a memory I
will always cherish.
(00:20):
I mean, it brought tears to myeyes.
So my dream was John.
I wanted to get him in withenough time to score a basket.
I thought if he could score abasket that would be a memory he
would have for the rest of hislife.
Well, he gets in with fourminutes to go.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Hey Uncommon Leaders, welcome back.
This is the Uncommon LeaderPodcast.
I'm your host, john Gallagher.
What's March Madness?
And who better to have onduring March Madness but a
successful basketball coach anda great leader?
That's what the Uncommon Leaderis all about.
I've got Coach Jim Johnson todayto add some value to you
listeners in tying basketballcoaching and business leadership
(01:02):
together in a way that I thinkis going to be very
inspirational for you.
Just a little bit of backgroundabout Coach.
In his 20-year coaching careerhe had 428 victories, turned
three teams around.
If I said that wrong, he'sprobably going to have that 428.
He's turned three teams aroundas we go forward, transforming
losing teams into champions, andhe's got a special story that's
(01:24):
coming up on 20 years thatwe'll talk about the J-Mac story
.
Many of you who are listenersand know me when you're a sports
fan, you're going to recognizethis story.
But we're going to get a chanceto talk about his seven
leadership keys that he nowshares with other leaders and
businesses to help them grow.
Coach Johnson, it's great tohave you on the Uncommon Leader
(01:44):
Podcast.
How are you doing today?
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Thank you, John.
Yeah, I will say I appreciatethat, but I did coach.
I was a head coach for 30 years30 years, okay, 30 years.
I coached for 35, two years incollege and 33 in the high
school.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
I was trying to get you a better average wins per
year.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
Yeah, so that was a lot of wins In fact I'd be
pretty proud of 20 years, over400 wins.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Well, it takes a little while to turn them around
and then get to that 25 winnumber every year.
All right, so I'll give youthat.
So let's start this.
We're recording this on day oneof the NCAA basketball
tournament getting started,better known as March Madness.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
So before I even jump in, like the leaders, do you
play a bracket?
I have again this year.
I used to be really big into it.
I'm not quite as big since I'vebeen out of coaching, although
obviously I still lovebasketball.
It's always such an excitingtime of the year because the
hard part is I've never beengreat with the brackets because
I always pick some upsets, butit seems like I pick the wrong
ones.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
It's a tricky thing.
For sure, it's important to getthose 512s right.
There's usually always one ortwo each year.
Go ahead and share it so we canput the money on it.
I'll get the podcast out beforethe end.
Who you got going all the way?
Speaker 1 (02:58):
Florida.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Florida.
Yeah, they're playing prettygood, all right, excellent.
Well, I'm glad you shared thatand I know we're missing the
start of this thing, but we'llhave a great interview as part
of that and then get a chance towatch some basketball today.
So I want to ask you the samefirst question, outside of our
basketball interest, but thesame question I always ask my
first time guests, and if youwould tell us a story from your
(03:21):
childhood that still impacts whoyou are today as a person or as
a leader.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
Well, you know, it's interesting because I have a lot
of different you know positiveand some challenging as a child,
but one that sticks out to mewas I'm the oldest of six and I
have my next.
Two are both brothers and wewere pretty darn competitive.
My dad was actually my highschool coach, so he loves sports
(03:47):
as well and we're on thebackyard, but we funny is that I
was mostly in the team sports,but I was actually a pretty good
runner too.
And when my brother and I werechallenging each other about
running around the block and hewent first and I timed him and
then I went second and he wassupposed to time me.
(04:08):
Well, I came back and I I knewI beat him.
I was puffing and huffing andpuffing and uh, he didn't time
me on purpose.
Oh, I started running after himand my next brother went in and
my grandmother was therebecause my mother was out
someplace and she goes.
He, my youngest brother, oryounger brother at the time,
(04:30):
said uh, grammy, I think youmight want to know this, but uh,
jim is ready to kill tom, anduh, so, uh, that's not the only
time we've competed over theyears, but uh, I think it did
bring my nature out that I'm apretty darn competitive person
still to this day.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Well, you spent 30 years in coaching, so you had to
go through a lot of experiencesas well in that competitive
side.
And again, 428 wins that comesalong with a few losses as well.
In terms of going through thatjourney as a coach, was there
any one win that kind of stuckout to you?
That was just really powerful.
I ain't asking the J-Mac storyyet.
(05:12):
Give me a story like yeah, itwas about you and your team.
That really sticks out.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
Well, certainly the J-Mac night, and I won't delve
into it right this moment, butit was the greatest night I ever
had in coaching, so I'm notgoing to lie to you and say that
it was not.
I think the greatest win thatI'm most proud of is my second
to last year.
It was the best team we everhad and we played in a
tournament.
We're in upstate New York, itwas in downstate Westchester and
(05:40):
we played Iona Prep.
It's a small private school andthey were tremendous.
They had two 6'10 kids.
John and I coached for 30 years.
I never had a 6'10 kid ever.
They had two that didn't evenplay.
They were just on the bench.
But their starting center wasthe New York State player of the
year and he actually hasdabbledled.
(06:03):
He's played some in the nba andtheir second best player at the
time was a junior named tyjerome that actually plays for
the cavaliers right now.
So they had two guys thatactually played in the nba, uh,
and we beat them and that wasprobably the greatest win we we
ever had.
Uh, as far as my, I mean, I hada lot of certainly great wins
and all that, but just uh, thefact that I I I know I never
(06:25):
other coached against anotherteam that had two NBA players on
their team.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
I bet not.
And two 6'10 guys on the benchGoodness gracious, holy cow,
that's definitely a team thatwould be a huge win, no doubt
about it.
I mean, I played in high schooland we had some big wins on the
way to a state championship mysenior year.
But I don't know that we everexperienced that with regards to
(06:51):
two NBA players and two 6'10guys and having that win.
That's pretty cool.
I'd love the overlap betweensports and leadership and you
think about some of thoselessons and we're going to get
into your seven keys here injust a little bit but some of
those memories have got to bethose moments that are not even
basketball-related for you andthe leadership, especially
coaching high school kids.
(07:11):
What was it that was mostrewarding for you inside of that
space of the leadership andsports that you continue to find
value in today?
Speaker 1 (07:22):
Well, the two things is one is really, you know, as I
became better and became, Ithink, a better leader is really
focusing on buildingrelationships, and that's the
power.
And then just the other thingyou know I'm a pretty driven guy
and you know I'm really intogoals and I spent a lot of time
working with our players on bothour team and individual goals.
(07:44):
But when you could get a groupof young men to work together
and do more than they think theycan, to me that was like the
greatest feeling in the world,you know, is that you know, when
you got them and it'sinteresting because you know,
some of my best teams, talentwise, didn't, in my opinion,
reach their full potential.
And then there was a few otherteams where, you know, I didn't
(08:06):
think they were going to bereally that good and they just
exceeded, and it just had somuch to do with building that
chemistry and them getting tobelieve in each other and care
about each other.
And, you know, caring about weover me, which is something we,
you know, emphasize pretty muchevery day.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
We over me love that as well.
I mean, I think again, thoserelationships are so important.
I know that some of the onesthat I had especially early on
in my journey after I left highschool, those are the ones that
kind of stick around from amemory standpoint and again,
unfortunately, sometimes youremember the losses even more
difficult than the wins.
I mean, again, you got 30seasons under your belt.
(08:45):
My senior year in high school.
We were 25 and one.
We won the state championshipand surely the first question
that we always get when we talkabout it is well, who did you
lose to?
I can go back to the FairmontWest game that we lost by one
point when we were down ninewith 60 seconds left, and I just
happened to miss a layup withabout three minutes left in the
game wide open layups.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
So yeah, those are the kind of things you ever
remember.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
But they shape you as a leader, Not that it ever
really was that important.
Those on YouTube that'sactually a picture Well, you
can't see it off my head but mestanding there as a senior in
high school and so I still havesome of those memories that
exist in a team photo aroundhere somewhere that team but
those memories stick with youfor a long time.
You have 30 years of thosememories in the coaching world,
(09:30):
plus that time that you werecompetitive, as you say, as an
athlete yourself as well, andyou've ultimately brought that
together now into what you referto, as are your seven keys to
leadership that are for businessleaders as well as those in
sports.
While we won't have a chance totalk about all seven of those,
maybe if you could just outlinewhat they are and then
(09:51):
ultimately really talk about howyou got to those keys Was it
over your coaching time or howdid you get to them?
Speaker 1 (09:57):
Yeah, so I'll start with a quick story, just to give
you context.
So my dream when I got out ofcollege was to I wanted to be a
teacher and I wanted to be avarsity basketball coach.
And at 25 years old, that dreamcame true after only three
years as an assistant coach andI took over a program that
wasn't very good, but in my mindI was going to take them from
the outhouse to the penthouse inthe first season, right?
(10:19):
Well, in that, John, I led thatteam to 17 consecutive losses
and then I was in an interimposition and they did not renew
my contract.
In other words, I was fired,and it was a pretty humbling
experience.
But it probably ended up beingthe best professional experience
for me from a negativestandpoint, because it woke up a
(10:41):
young, arrogant 25-year-oldthat realized that he had a lot
to learn how to be a leader anda coach.
And so that's when I reallystarted my journey of studying
leadership and, you know, did alot of reading, went to a lot of
clinics and conferences andpicked different people's brains
and listened to a lot of audioprograms.
Back then there were cassettetapes and all that Jim Rohns and
(11:03):
all of them, and so I.
So it was just really, as Icontinue to, to grow, I really
want to establish some structure, you know cause I think great
leaders develop processes andsystems that you know people can
get used to, and that'ssomething I think we get.
We really did much better andour players really appreciated
(11:25):
it.
So these were the seven keys,and then we can delve into one
or two of them, whatever, butclarifying your vision, which I
talk about how to lead yourselffirst before you can lead others
.
Number two is building trust.
Number three is called creatingan edge.
Number four is effectivecommunication.
Five is one that is prettyobvious, but, boy, I found a lot
(11:47):
of leaders don't do this verywell, and that's lead by example
.
Number six is my leadershipphilosophy, which I call leaving
a profit.
And then number seven issomething I really built into as
I learned more about it and nowit's gotten pretty big in
leadership and that servantleadership.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Excellent those seven keys.
And now it's gotten pretty bigin leadership and that servant
leadership Excellent those sevenkeys.
And I think about looking backall those things that led you to
those seven keys.
And look, 25-year-old firstly,in his first head coaching
position.
I look at my sons now and Ilook back at my time as a
25-year-old.
I can't imagine leading thatvarsity team that early.
There are some that are able todo that, but it's usually that
(12:26):
learning experience that comesinto play and I heard a little
bit of that pride that's inthere.
What are some of the otherbarriers?
Before we jump into maybe oneor two of your keys?
But what are some of thebarriers that leaders have, like
pride, that keep them frombeing successful?
Speaker 1 (12:43):
Well, it's a really powerful thing because, you know
, I've talked about differentthings, but one thing that jumps
out to me is that I, when Ibecame I kid people that as a
leader you got to be the CQA,the chief question asker, and
you know, when I started to comein with that perspective, that
I was going to ask morequestions.
(13:03):
But then the other part aboutleading is taking the time to
listen.
You know, and you know thefamous Stephen Covey seek first
to understand before beingunderstood and then really
understanding.
This is easy to say, but as aleader I think it's very
difficult.
But I believe the best leadersare finding the best answers to
(13:27):
solve the problems notnecessarily their answers and,
again, easy to say.
But you know, we all as leadersand all people have an ego to
some degree and usually when youget a leadership position, you
have maybe even a bigger ego.
A bigger ego you can reallystart to to say you know that
(13:48):
famous we over me that Imentioned earlier is that, you
know, and really getting uhimpact, like one of the things.
Uh, we did a captain's meetingevery week and and it was always
on mondays unless we had a gamewhich was rare and early on.
John, I always would come inwith an agenda, but it was all
about me.
And then, probably the lasthalf of my career, I came in
with an agenda, but it was allabout me.
And then probably the last halfof my career I came in with the
agenda was just questions andquestions like hey, how's our
(14:10):
team chemistry this week?
You know, what do you think weshould focus on to be better
this week?
How can I coach you better?
Is there any player right nowon the team that we should be
made aware of, this struggling,that we can help out this week?
You know, so, just and boy, thecaptains really took ownership
and you know, I think thatspread throughout the whole team
.
The coach wanted to know aboutyou and wanted to get your input
(14:34):
.
And the other thing I think isreally clear I did a lot of
one-on-ones and one of thethings I always told our players
is I want to hear from you.
I'm not going to always agreewith you, and when I don't agree
with you, I'm going to sharewhy.
And you may not like that, butat least you know where I'm
coming from.
Because I think the breakdownin communication is when people
(14:57):
don't do that.
It's just my way or the highway.
Well, that doesn't go over verywell, especially with young
people.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
Hey listeners, I want to take a quick.
Many of the topics anddiscussions we have on this
podcast are areas where Iprovide coaching and consulting
services for individuals andorganizations.
If you've been inspired by ourconversation and are seeking a
catalyst for change in your ownlife or within your team, I
invite you to visitcoachjohngallaghercom forward
(15:25):
slash free call to sign up for afree coaching call with me.
It's an opportunity for us toconnect, discuss your unique
challenges and explore howcoaching or consulting can
benefit you and your team.
Okay, let's get back to theshow.
Well, absolutely, and again,even as you're seeing, with the
title of head coach or the titleof leader, that's the first
(15:49):
level that we go through.
John Maxwell talks about levelsof leadership, five levels and
he says the first one isposition and people follow you
because they have to.
Now, you talked about this withregards to relationships, and
leading by example is that youwant to move to permission.
Ultimately is players.
I mean they want to know why amI not playing, why am I not
(16:15):
good enough to be in thestarting five?
And you have to learn to havecandor with them, to let them
know what that is, but to alsoknow that you have a very
important role to play on theteam Leads into me.
One of the keys that I wantedto ask you about we talked about
this before getting started wastrust, and you talk about this
intentional trust plan that youput together.
Tell me a little bit more aboutthat key, the intentional trust
(16:38):
plan.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
Yeah, well, I'm just going to say one thing.
The two C's is I built abasketball program that I think
is really important, is caringand challenging, and I think
when you can combine those two,which will lead into my answer
to the trust.
So, as I mentioned, I struggledmy first opportunity to be a
(17:00):
varsity coach, but I had threeother opportunities In my last
27 years.
I coached in my hometown at twoof the high schools.
I actually went to the otherhigh school so I kind of hit a
ball, and when we took over allthose programs, they had all
been not doing well, and so oneof the things I really figured
out and I really shared with ourstaff is we got to build trust
(17:21):
with our players because we're anew group coming in.
And how do we do that?
And so we came up with threekeys to building trust.
The first one is we had toconsistently align our words and
actions.
And I'll tell you a little sidestory.
That was very powerful for meBecause you know, going to that
other key about leading byexample, well, coach, was one of
(17:42):
the things we mandated for mostof our career is that we, on
the road, we were going to wearshirt and ties.
Well, I didn't love wearingshirt and ties myself, so one
time I choose not to, and all ofmy players, and I'll never
forget one of my parents sayinghey, coach, how come all the
players got to wear shirt?
Speaker 2 (18:00):
and tie.
Speaker 1 (18:01):
You don't, and that was a really good thing for me
to, because after that coachwears shirt and tie the rest of
his career.
If I was an assistant ofplayers, and that's the power of
example, example, I think, isreally important.
The first one is aligning yourwords and actions.
Like one of the things I talkto leaders about is I think you
should have a fewnon-negotiables, but you can't
(18:21):
have like 100 rules, Because ifyou have 100 rules you have no
rules.
But one of our non-negotiablesis we expected our players to be
on time.
So if I said that practice wasstarted, sometimes I did funky
things like we'd start practiceat 2.17 because I really wanted
to make sure that they were ontime and I always would kid them
(18:41):
that if you can't be on time,be early.
Those are your choices and so,with that, that's what you know.
But as myself, you could askall the players that coach never
came late for practice, nevercame late for a meeting, because
that was that important to me.
So aligning your words andactions is so important.
Number two is I think if you'regoing to build trust, you have
(19:02):
to have the foundation oftelling each other the truth,
and you know, one thing I willsay that in leadership as an art
and science is there are timeswhere I think you can call out a
player.
Going back to what we talked,john, about, building
relationships, where someplayers can take some harsh
criticism in front of the teamand it's very helpful.
But getting to know yourplayers some of them don't do
(19:23):
very well with that and that'swhy you got to get to know your
players, because there'ssometimes you got to do that
behind closed doors, but wereally focused on telling each
other the truth.
And then the third thing was isthat you know we took over
programs that hadn't been doingwell?
Is that we really came in witha mindset that we wanted to
catch our players doing well andspecifically praising them.
(19:46):
And I always give an example,like, instead of saying nice job
, johnny, because I was a boysbasketball coach, we want to be
more specific.
I might say something likeJohnny, that was awesome how you
dove on the floor for thatloose ball.
That's what championshipplayers do on championship teams
.
So he has some clarity.
He's being praised, but heknows exactly why he got praised
(20:06):
.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
Love that and I love that as an example as well,
being specific about thatfeedback.
Love that, and I love that asan example as well.
Being specific about thatfeedback.
I actually, when I listen tohear you tell them the truth and
you do that, especially whenit's tough feedback in private
as well, behind closed doors Ilove that.
And certainly, aligning wordsand actions, no doubt about it.
As the leader, things arecaught and not taught and they
(20:28):
will absolutely let you know ifyou're stepping outside, which
back to telling the truth.
Those three things together,they all work well.
I love that as a trust plan.
Those three steps seem verysimple and to your point in
terms of where we got.
In terms of those seven keys.
Those relate to business or,frankly, they relate to life.
There's no doubt about it interms of that trust plan in your
family, in your family.
Align our words and actions,tell the truth.
(20:50):
You'll be on time.
Ultimately, get those threethings done Right.
I mean, it really is thatsimple and it can be that
difficult.
Have you coach, have you had,uh influencers as you develop
these keys, uh in your career,uh, who have made a difference
for you, whether it's, you know,other coaches or authors or
speakers.
Who's influenced you?
Speaker 1 (21:10):
So the two that and I never met either one of them
and I will tell you a little bitabout you know one person that
did that I worked with, but thetwo that influenced me from afar
but I studied them immensely,was the late John Wooden and the
late Jim Rome.
So there was a personal growthguy and then you know a famous
basketball coach.
(21:30):
But, I read and listened to allthe things I could possibly
learn about them, because youknow what it's been fascinating,
because I still do it today,John, I'm fascinated what makes
people great, and I study it allthe time and you know what are
the separators.
Then two people I did get tomeet one's still coaching and
he's kind of rejuvenated hiscareer at St John's.
(21:52):
That's Rick Pitino.
I saw him speak at a basketballclinic in Rochester where I
grew up, and he was justmesmerizing on how impactful he
was.
And then I went and watched himpractice at Providence and then
I actually went to Kentuckywhen he was there and so I
(22:12):
really followed his career.
And it was just kind of aconnection, was that when I,
after I lost my first varsityjob, I got called by a local
junior college coach and he wasa tough guy but I learned a lot
from him.
His name was Bill Van Gundy andthe crazy thing is John, both
his sons, Stan and Jeff, havebeen head coaches in the NBA
(22:34):
numerous times.
So it was amazing because whenI was coaching with Coach Van
Gundy, I was 26, and Stan is myage.
He was a college coach, aDivision III coach, and Jeff had
just taken a high school job,so I think Coach Van Gundy
really helped me get back on myfeet after that stumble in my
first varsity position.
Speaker 2 (22:56):
Love that, even having folks there to pick you
up when you stumble, because Imean, especially frankly in
coaching, it's going to happenIn coaching and leadership
you're going to have tough times.
You're going to go throughtimes or spaces where things
aren't going your way and, toyour point, sometimes the best
thing that can happen to you isto be asked to go and coach
(23:16):
somewhere else or to go leadsomewhere else, whatever that
means in terms of change, and ifyou can take the right
perspective on that can bereally powerful.
I mean, again, patino made hismistakes in his personal life as
well, but look what he's gonethrough in the coaching world.
I mean NBA just recently Iona,st John's, providence, kentucky,
louisville.
(23:37):
Goodness gracious that guy'sstill around.
Coach, when are you going toget the phone call to come?
Speaker 1 (23:43):
back.
Come on now.
You know I'm doing some otherthings and I think I could make
an impact now, but I certainlystill miss it.
I mean, it's something that wasstrongly in my blood.
But you know, I think somethingwe could really learn from rick
patino is that you know he gotreally humbled with some of his
mistakes there at louisville,and how about he goes back and
he coaches iona and I think thelesson I want to share to all
(24:05):
leaders is be great wherever youare, because he got iona, you
know, doing some good things,that that led to the St John's?
Yeah, but now you know how about?
I had no idea, because I grewup in the old Big East and to
think that St John's had not wonthe Big East Conference since
2000.
That's incredible.
Speaker 2 (24:23):
That's amazing, isn't it?
Yeah, yeah, Goodness gracious,In those days I go back into my
high school basketball days atEwing at Georgetown and Mullins
at St John's and.
Syracuse.
Goodness, gracious, washingtonis here.
Look at all those guys thatwere there.
Ronnie Cycli oh, I know.
Wow, that was phenomenal Aphenomenal league.
All right, so we talked abouttrust.
(24:45):
Give me one other key thatyou'd like to talk about today,
and kind of one that's veryimpactful for you.
Speaker 1 (24:51):
You know what I think , because I always start a lot
of my leadership presentationswith this simple question and
most people don't have theanswer.
And that is who's the firstperson you got to lead?
And of course, it's yourself.
And so when I talk aboutclarify and envision one of the
things one of the more impactfulbooks for me early in my life
that I read was Dr Covey's SevenHabits, and that's where I
(25:14):
really got awareness, because Iwas pretty close, you know, when
he's talking about you knowhaving your personal mission
statement, I'm like I know whathe was talking about, but I
really started to think about itand I got very clear and I
encourage leaders to ask thisquestion a lot.
And that is why will you put iton this earth?
(25:34):
If you're a person of faith,like I am, why did God put you
on this earth?
And then the second part ofthat is really getting clarity
of your core values.
Like, one of my core values isto respect all people.
Another one is I want tocontinue to grow and get a
little bit better each day.
But you know, just havingclarity about your core values
and then try to put it into astatement, like and you know I
(25:58):
put this right out there.
When I talk to differentleadership groups, I'll say you
know, my mission is to be anoutstanding role model that
makes a positive difference inthe world by helping others make
their dreams come true.
And you know, each day that'swhat I strive for.
Some days are better thanothers, that's what life is all
about, right.
But when you get clarity of youknow, why are you getting up
every morning, I think it's justa really powerful thing,
(26:20):
because once you start leadingyourself better, then you can
influence and lead others better.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
Love that Starts with you, no doubt about it.
I mean personal missionstatement, personal values.
Write them down, define whatthey mean to you and then,
frankly, look at all the thingsthat you're doing, right your
behaviors and your activities,and say how do they line up?
Are they contributing to meimproving those values?
Are they contributing to memoving toward?
I love that as a personalmission statement.
You know, change the world.
(26:47):
Love that Bold, okay, bigdifference.
Coach, I want to honor you forthat.
That's, that's amazing.
Now you're talking about makinga difference in, in the lives of
others.
Uh, maybe it.
Maybe it's a good time to leadin the story that ultimately
probably impacts everyconversation that you have, and
it's the JMAC story and thosethat are in our generation, you
(27:08):
and I.
They'll remember the ESPNhighlight that drove this.
But tell me the story of J-Macand, ultimately, how you know I
get how it's impacted him and Isee those videos all the time,
but how has it impacted you as aperson in your journey?
Tell me.
Go as far back and as detailedas you want to.
Speaker 1 (27:26):
So I'll start with the context that Jason tried out
for our JV team.
I was the varsity coach back in2003.
And my JV coach came to meduring trials.
He says, coach, we've got thisyoung man on the autism spectrum
which I didn't know much about.
Autism, it was starting tobecome a little bit more
prevalent back then.
We certainly know a lot morebut there's still a lot of
(27:47):
questions about it right now.
And he was very small in stature.
He was like 5'6", 90 pounds,soaking wet.
But my JV coach said Coach, Iwant to keep him in the program
as a manager and let himpractice with the team because
he's got this heart of gold andhe loves the program.
And so that's what he did.
And I was starting to get toknow him because our JV and
(28:07):
varsity games were usuallyback-to-back.
So to get to know him becauseour JV and varsity games were
usually back to back, so he wason the bench for both games but
he was going to JV practices.
But really what I grew such anadmiration.
I will say a quick sidelighthis nickname J-Mac was tagged by
me because I could notpronounce his last name.
Fortunately he liked it and infact I kid people that his
(28:28):
senior year, that almosteveryone in the school knew who
J-Mac was, but most peopledidn't know what his real name
was.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
That's funny, that's great.
Speaker 1 (28:36):
But anyway.
So what I really admired abouthim, john, was how much he was
into basketball.
And after his sophomore seasonhe came to all our off-season
workouts.
I was picking him up from hishouse and even though he wasn't
a very good player, I just Imean, I was so passionate about
basketball and so was he, so wewere always talking basketball.
(28:56):
And so he tries out his junioryear part of the varsity and he
doesn't make the team.
And at that point in my life,john, I was kind of known as the
guy that had winning seasonsbut couldn't win the big one.
We kept losing our postseasontournament.
I'll never forget our firstmeeting that year.
I walk in and Jason immediatelyraises his hand.
I said, yeah, jay Mack.
(29:16):
He says coach, we know you'venever won a sectional
championship.
I said, well, thanks, jason forthe reminder.
But this year is going to bedifferent.
We're going to adopt this stayfocused mantra and we're going
to help you win.
Well, we have another goodseason, jason's junior year.
We lose in our sectionalsemifinals.
For the sixth time in my career.
I'd never taken a team even tothe finals and we lose at the
(29:38):
buzzer.
So it was a devastating loss.
But Jason really picked me upbecause after that season he
said, coach, we're going to doit next year.
And he came to everything andagain, so tries out a senior
year, I bring him in.
I said J-Mac, unfortunatelyyou're not quite good enough to
make the team and he was prettydisappointed because it was
three years in a row and I neverhad a player try out three
(29:58):
times in a row without making itbut the.
But he I said I have a gift foryou and his head popped back up
and he said yeah, what's that,coach?
I said well, for senior nightI'm going to give you a uniform
and hopefully get you in thegame.
And I kid people thatperiodically he would ask me
about that uniform during theseason, and of course I define
periodically as about everyother day.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
He wasn't going to let it go he heard it.
Speaker 1 (30:22):
So the little quick thing is that his senior season.
We were expected to have a verygood team.
We had a lot returning from theprevious year.
But adversity hit.
We won our first two games andthen we had an incident it was
in my book called the Coach anda Miracle, where it divided the
team and John.
I resigned because it was sobad for a while and it led this
(30:43):
team.
That was because they weredivided.
We really struggled for thenext three weeks.
We lost three games.
We shouldn't have lost any ofthem and what changed it was I
did a leadership thing that I'mproud of.
I didn't know if it was goingto work, but we had a Christmas
tournament and we won in theopening round.
We were playing the wholeschool and they were really good
(31:04):
.
And we had a shoot-aroundbecause it was during Christmas
break for an hour and I neverbrought out basketballs.
I sat in little bleachers and Ijust opened my heart up.
I go, guys, unless we decidewe're going to unite a fair
point, our opponent at night isgoing to beat us by 50 points.
And but the best thing I didand something I want to share
(31:24):
with leaders is I becamevulnerable.
I said I don't have the answersbut but you do and you got to
be willing to share.
And we never brought abasketball out in that hour, we
just shared ideas and I couldsee a little bit different
bounce in their step and thatnight we lost a fair part, but
we lost them in overtime and itshowed what we could do and then
(31:44):
we got some momentum going.
So we won eight of our next ninegames, going into senior night
and februaryth the game was onFebruary 15th I gave Jason his
first jersey.
It was number 52.
It was way too big.
He didn't care.
In fact there was a rumor goingaround school that he slept in
it for both nights.
He was pretty fired up.
Well, the game begins.
(32:05):
And I will say before the game,because we honor the seniors.
Before the game, to see Jasonembrace his parents in uniform
is a memory I will alwayscherish.
I mean, it brought tears to myeyes.
Well, now we get into thefourth quarter and it's just
over four minutes.
And my dream was John.
I wanted to get him in withenough time to score a basket.
I thought if he could score abasket that would be a memory he
(32:26):
would have for the rest of hislife.
Well, he gets in with fourminutes to go.
And I'm usually a pretty machoguy, you know I stand up pretty
much through the entire game.
But what happened nextprofoundly touched my heart and
soul.
When he walked on the court forthe first time, all our student
body, they called themselvesthe six men.
They gave him a standingovation.
(32:46):
But what I didn't know andJason didn't know this either
one of our parents had madethese pictures, these placards
of Jason's face.
In fact, president Bush, we hada chance to meet him and he
actually took a placard backwith him to the White House.
So, anyways, they show allthese placards.
And it touched me so deeply,john.
I sit down and tears start toroll down my face.
(33:07):
They're trying to wipe my face.
I'm like, oh my God.
So Jason's in his first varsitygame.
First time he touches the ball.
He has a three-pointer from theright corner.
He lets it go.
I tell you, the whole crowdstood up in anticipation.
He misses by like six feet andI kid people that I know you're
not supposed to pray in thepublic schools, but, dear god,
(33:28):
it was praying.
Please help him get one basket.
Next he has a much shorter shotfrom about 10 feet, and this
time it hits the backboard, hitsthe rim and falls off, and that
whole crowd groans.
But I'm thinking all right, godstarted listening.
We're getting closer.
Then the third possession.
He has another three-pointerfrom the right wing.
He lets it go.
Magic it goes in.
(33:49):
The place just erupts.
And I'm thinking to myself godmust be a basketball fan.
Not only is jason scored, he'sgot a three-pointer.
Getting better than this?
Well, the next possession comesout, he makes another three and
it goes louder.
And then I'm going to fastforward, then I'll come back and
I got two quick points to sharewith you.
But jason's idol, I kid you not, was the late kobe bryant.
(34:09):
Jason used to sign his nameJason J Mac Kobe McElwain.
That's how much you like KobeBryant.
Well, six months after thatgame, jason's at the Esprit
Awards.
He's up for the greatest sportsmoment of the year.
And I kid you, not one of theother finalists there were four
of them was Kobe Bryant.
Kobe had scored 81 points in agame for the Lakers that year.
(34:31):
So Jason meets his idol andbeats him out for the ESPY.
Well, how does he do that?
Well, after making those twothrees, he comes down.
He actually his only two-pointbasket is actually his foot was
on the line.
And then he made a couple ofmisses and the place is just in
pure bedlam.
Two things I'll never forget.
John, with a minute to go, I'msitting on the bench.
(34:52):
I'm in shock, tears stillrolling down my face.
I can't believe what I'm seeing.
And I get a tap on my shoulder.
I'm shocked.
I look behind me it's J-Mac'smother and John.
She's bawling her eyes out.
And she gives me this bigembrace and she says Coach, come
(35:14):
on keep going.
Speaker 2 (35:15):
I know the story and I'm still in tears coming out.
Speaker 1 (35:18):
Our opponent is Spencer Ford and I want to give
kudos.
They were a great sports thatnight.
But they score with about 10seconds to go and our player
that takes a lot of bounds.
He normally throws to a pointguard, but this time he throws
it right to j mac and j mac'sdribbling down and I think he's.
They're just gonna let him goin and make a layup.
Oh no, he pulls up like twofeet behind the arc, almost an
nba three.
I think j mac don't shoot fromthere, you're gonna ruin this
(35:39):
moment.
He launches this rainbow swish.
I look over and it was justlike the movie rudy the whole
gym ran on the floor and ourplayers put him up on their
shoulders.
He got the game ball over hishead.
At that point I had no idea howmany points he had and our
public address announcer comesout and says the leading scorer
for Grease Adina tonight, j-mac,with 20 points, including six
(36:03):
three-pointers and it was justcrazy.
And you know one thing that I dowant to share there are so many
lessons that I learned fromthat, but probably the greatest
because I mentioned that we hadreally struggled as a team for a
while and I knew the playersliked Jason, but I wasn't sure.
But the greatest thing thattouched me so deeply was the
(36:24):
players, on their own, decidedthat they were going to shine
the light on J-Mac and theypassed him the ball every
possession.
In fact, I still kill Jason tothis day.
J-mac, I'm still looking foryour first assist.
You didn't make one pass, butit was just really cool.
And then, I guess, just to wrapthat up, j-mac now has to go
(36:45):
back as our team manager becauseyou got to play six games in
the regular season, but yet heembraced that role and we had
never won the sectionalchampionship and we ended up.
We were down 14 to 3 in thechampionship, gave in front of
10,000 people.
We came back, really and wonright at the end and won our
first sectional championship.
And the really cool thing, john, because I mentioned earlier
(37:08):
about we over me and that's whatI love about Jason, because
people would ask him all thetime after that.
What was the best thing aboutyour senior season?
Expecting him to talk about hisgame and he'd say, went in
Section 5 championship.
There's nothing better thanthat.
And yet, you know, I wasfortunate to be a coach of
(37:29):
leading a lot of Section 5championships after that.
And yet the best thing thatever happened in my life in
coaching was at night.
Speaker 2 (37:33):
It just, uh, it touched my heart so deeply,
coach, I know you can never gettired of telling that story in
19 years and just the impactthat had on so many like I can.
I can now remember the ESPNhighlight, like it was yesterday
I'm going to put a link to itand that I watched the ESPY uh
speech that he gave as well whenKobe Bryant was there, to put a
(37:55):
link to it.
And that I watched the ESPYspeech that he gave as well when
Kobe Bryant was there.
Put a link to that one too.
But, as you said, probably thatmoment for you it's one thing
to see him make those shots,another thing to have his mother
behind you and give you thatbig hug as well.
I mean the we over me component, the we over me component.
While it may have catapultedyou into the limelight as well,
I hope that feeling during thattime never leaves you and never
(38:17):
leaves him also.
Speaker 1 (38:20):
So how cool was that story?
I certainly I would never beconsidered a marketing expert,
because you know it's funny,because the only thing back then
is you had to call in our localnewspaper and back then we just
they used to follow it betterthan they do now but we didn't
even get a headline.
I take that back.
It said Greece-Athena ties forleague title and it mentions
(38:41):
just a little bit about JMAC andreally how it exploded, john,
because I wouldn't have done it.
I mean, I was so touched by itand in fact the next day at
school all we did I was a physed teacher we watched the game
film the whole day.
But what I didn't know is whenJason Speeds, pathologist,
called one of our local TVstations and they borrowed the
video and that night they showedit and within three days it was
(39:03):
viral all over the world.
It was crazy.
Speaker 2 (39:06):
Yeah, before those days of social media to get
there.
That's the thing.
Speaker 1 (39:25):
It just makes it viral.
Speaker 2 (39:26):
It was unbelievable.
Coach, I appreciate your timetoday.
I appreciate you sharing thatstory and I can see the impact
that it still has on you One ofyour seven keys leaving on him
and making things better in thework that you've done so well
done.
You also talked about maybe Godhad a sense of humor and he
loved basketball.
So I've just got kind of twomore questions or maybe three
more in terms of asking folkswhere to find you.
But how has your faith played arole in your journey from
(39:48):
chasing your brother back intothe house to try and kill him
after he didn't time you when he, you beat him around the block
all the way to you know, frankly, 428 wins later and what you
have going on today.
Speaker 1 (39:59):
Well, you know what?
I've always been a person offaith.
I will say um that because ofall the trials and tribulations
I had as a coach, that therewere times that I did lose a
little faith.
I'm not going to lie to you,but you know I will say that
Miracle Game just really didstrengthen that.
You know God, because you knowpeople sometimes ask me, and I
(40:20):
think God was trying to send amessage because back then there
was a lot of confusion.
There's still not total clarityon autism, but I think it was
his gift to the world to say youknow what people with autism
can do a lot of things and justgive them a chance.
And I think that was a greatmessage.
And so you know I am a strongbeliever in faith and you know I
(40:42):
pray pretty much every day.
Now it's important to me andyou know I just it's something
that I think there's a biggerpower than me, and so I'm
talking to them, I meditateevery day, so I'm listening to
them and I also pray every dayto share some ideas with them.
Speaker 2 (41:01):
Excellent, fantastic Coach.
I appreciate you sharing thatas well.
You got a lot going on rightnow still doing, speaking and
sharing your inspirational story.
How can folks get in touch withyou, coach, to learn more about
you or connect with you?
Speaker 1 (41:14):
Yeah, so probably just the best is the coach Jim
Johnsoncom and that way Iwouldn't forget it.
Or you know my personal emailif people want to reach out as
coach Jim Johnson at gmailcom.
But I I we have a freenewsletter and we have a free
weekly blog and I have a videoseries and we have a podcast as
(41:37):
well Limitless Leadership Loungeto help young and emerging
leaders.
I'm trying to give back becauseI struggle as a young leader,
as I mentioned, and you know Ispeak around the country.
I've been very blessed to speakat a lot of you know
educational speak around thecountry.
I've been very blessed to speaka lot of you know educational
and business type groups to youknow I speak.
I brand myself as aninspirational leader, so trying
(41:57):
to help people buildchampionship teams, you know,
through culture and all thatgood stuff that, coach, I
appreciate you sharing with thelisteners the uncommon leader
podcast.
Speaker 2 (42:14):
I think there I can count on one hand the number of
time I've had stories bringtears to my eyes as well and
those were a fantastic tearsthat you brought and sharing
that inspirational story and theimpact that you've made.
Um last question, I'll give youthe last word.
Uh, this is the last question.
I always finish, um, I guesswith but I'm going to give you a
billboard and you can put thatbillboard anywhere you want to.
Speaker 1 (42:35):
What's the message you're going to put on that
billboard and why do you put itthere?
Well, you know, I think we'vehad some real ups and downs in
our world with chaos and youknow, and the one thing that I
mentioned earlier, but I wouldsay my billboard would say
respect all people.
We don't have to agree witheverybody and we're not going to
agree with everybody, but thething that's been disappointing
(43:01):
to me in leadership I knowyou're a John Maxwell guy, like
I am and the fact that I thinkhe's said it a number of times
his leadership's sad.
And I think that's becausethere's been a breakdown of
respect and to me that's one ofmy core values and no matter
whether I agree or disagree, Ireally encourage people to
respect all people.
Speaker 2 (43:17):
Sure would be a simple rule folks would follow.
I think the world would be adifferent place, Coach.
No doubt about it.
Coach, I wish you the best.
Thank you for sharing with thelisteners and I hope that we can
stay in touch in the future.
Speaker 1 (43:28):
Absolutely.
I loved it, john.
I'm glad that you're making abig impact as well, and I look
forward to growing ourrelationship, so thank you.
Speaker 2 (43:35):
Thank you, and that wraps up another episode of the
Uncommon Leader Podcast.
Thanks for tuning in today.
If you found value in thisepisode, I encourage you to
share it with your friends,colleagues or anyone else who
could benefit from the insightsand inspiration we've shared.
Also, if you have a moment, I'dgreatly appreciate it if you
could leave a rating and reviewon your favorite podcast
(43:56):
platform.
Your feedback not only helps usto improve, but it also helps
others discover the podcast andjoin our growing community of
uncommon leaders.
Until next time, go and growchampions.
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