All five of these qualities start with relationships based on the truth. In his book The Gold Standard, Coach K. described how he brought this to life with the 2008 Olympic Team:
"Our Standards Meeting— July 20, 2008— Las Vegas, Nevada: Our team and staff had just gathered in Las Vegas for our first team meeting and practice as the United States Olympic basketball team. I started by presenting two standards that are vital to the formation of relationships, two concepts that are fundamental to a team dynamic: communication and trust. I said, "When we talk to each other, we look each other in the eye, we tell each other the truth, and we treat each other with respect."
When Coach K builds a relationship with you it is not because he wants something from you. You know you have a friend you can count on for support and the truth. No deals, no hidden agendas involved. With Coach K, you don’t feel you are being manipulated.
Communication is delivered through actions and words. Trust demands sincerity, honesty, reliability and integrity.
With Coach K. you have a relationship based on communication you can trust. He will look you in the eye.
How are your relationships? What are your relationships based on?