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As a South Carolina native and leader in the field of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), it’s safe to say that NCAA coach Dawn Staley is no ordinary leader. From her days as an Olympic gold medalist basketball player to her role as coach, where she led the South Carolina Gamecocks to a 38-0 season, Staley has a lot to teach us about what it takes to be consistent and successful in a competitive field.
As a former athlete and coach, it would be easy to chalk Staley’s success up to “luck,” but that’s certainly not the case. Staley has focused on DEI, leadership, and mentorship for her team and herself, all of which I believe have contributed to her record-breaking victories over the years.
Who is Dawn Staley?
Dawn Staley is a Hall of Fame American basketball coach and player. She has excelled on all sides of the court as a three-time Olympic gold medalist and as the head coach of a gold medal-winning team. Her impressive track record has seen her currently (and rightly) Highest paid black coaches She is active in the women’s basketball world, but that’s not all she is.
Related: Companies are deprioritizing DEI: Why they shouldn’t and how to recommit.
Staley stands up for pay equality
While many companies and organizations have backed away from DEI, others have stepped up and invested even more with great results. Fully aware of the wage disparity between the women’s and men’s basketball leagues, Staley has not been afraid to advocate for her own pay disparity with the players, even having an attorney present during her record-breaking contract negotiations to ensure she got the fairest financial deal possible.
Moreover, after receiving her well-deserved compensation, she generously shared her wealth. She gave to every black Division I coach. A portion of her net income We withdrew from the last championship to send a message that if one of us wins, we all win.
Related: Why paying women equally can help, not hurt, your business
Staley understands the power of mentorship.
Entrepreneurs in all walks of life say mentorship (whether given or received) is a factor in their current business success. Staley understands that as much as she needs a team, she needs mentorship to get there. She has always been a force on the court, providing reason and guidance for her team, and passing on what she has learned to the benefit of everyone around her.
Staley has a clear symbiotic relationship with his players. Oklahoma Newspapers“I don’t coach for awards, not really. Just being there for my players gives me great satisfaction.” Having led his teams to victory time and time again and been with them every step of the way, Staley has always proven that mentorship is an essential component to the success of any leader and team.
Related: Do you manage a Black woman? Here’s how you can be a partner and ally in her success.
Staley understands the value of getting involved in every role, big and small.
From his days as a player to his current role as a nationally renowned coach, Staley has proven that no role is too big or too small. In the early stages of a business, most entrepreneurs know all too well that they have to wear multiple hats for months, sometimes years, to get the results they want.
Staley knows the tightrope very well. Supporting her teammates on the court is one of those roles that requires consistency, cooperation and perseverance. Coaching, on the other hand, has given her the tools to build trust, empower and delegate. Whether it’s as a teammate or coach, she reaps the benefits of being fully committed to the role and working with the whole team.
Staley knows how to organize and rally a team around a common goal.
It may seem like the perfect team fell into Staley’s hands, but that’s far from the truth. Staley worked hard to turn a team with a mediocre track record into a solid, consistently competitive team. This season, Staley had to replace the entire starting lineup and still led the team to the semi-finals. This was no coincidence, but the result of building and nurturing a foundation of great teamwork and trust.
Staley chooses players who understand what it means to work hard for a common goal. When companies hire team members, they often look at “cultural fit” and choose the applicants with the most impressive resumes and educational backgrounds.
But what they often overlook is the recruits’ backgrounds and values. In the past, Staley has emphasized her philosophy of only recruiting players who respect their parents, suggesting that if players don’t respect their parents, they won’t respect their coaches. Staley strategically built a team of players whose values ​​aligned with building relationships of trust and respect with their coaches. As you can see, her selections had a positive ripple effect on the team’s performance and trust.
Related: Avoiding a sea of ​​similarities: How culture-driven hiring improves DEI
lastly
The South Carolina Gamecocks’ winning streak is no coincidence. Having coached after playing is a valuable strength, and Staley is in a strong position to lead other players. This shows that Staley knows the path to success after her playing experience. Furthermore, her ability to put herself in her team’s shoes is a form of empathy, a key pillar of DEI. This empathy has allowed her to carefully select and build trust with team members who have the values ​​and resilience necessary to truly respect the game, their coaches, their teammates, and herself. Dawn Staley is a great example of what strong leadership looks like by advocating for herself and others to work toward DEI, resilience, and excellence.
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