Pull Up A Chair #3

March Madness is here.

For me, this time of year has always felt like Christmas.

As a former college player, I still feel it—the energy, the pressure, the stakes. The small moments that become big ones. The teams that come together at exactly the right time.

But what I find myself watching most now isn’t just the games.

It’s the leadership.

This year, I’ve been especially drawn to coaches like Shea Ralph and Kara Lawson.

Two leaders. Two programs. Two philosophies that say something bigger about leadership beyond the court. Here’s what stands out.

1. Leadership is about developing people—not just performance

Shea Ralph talks often about growth, sacrifice, and putting the team above self. Her focus isn’t just on winning games—it’s on developing young women who can succeed in life.

That’s leadership.

Not just asking: How do we win?

But: Who are we becoming in the process?

In organizations, we often prioritize outcomes.

But the best leaders understand:

Sustainable results come from investing in people.

2. Toughness is a skill—not a personality trait

Kara Lawson has a well-known message she shares with her players:

You don’t get to choose whether something is hard.

You get to choose how you respond.

That mindset—mental toughness, resilience, accountability—is something she teaches.

And that matters.

Because in leadership, we often assume some people are “built for it.”

But the best leaders believe:

Capacity can be developed.

Resilience can be built.

People can grow into more than they thought possible.

3. Culture is built in the unseen moments

Both Ralph and Lawson emphasize something subtle but powerful:

Leadership is not just what happens on game day.

It’s what happens in practice.

In preparation.

In the conversations no one else sees.

It’s consistency.

It’s standards.

It’s how you show up when things aren’t going well.

And ultimately, it shapes how teams perform when everything is on the line.

Watching March Madness this year, I’m reminded:

The best teams aren’t just the most talented.

They’re the ones that are most aligned.

Most connected.

Most committed to something bigger than themselves.

That doesn’t happen by accident.

It happens because someone built that table intentionally.

So for this week’s Pull Up a Chair, I’ll leave you with this:

When you think about your own team or organization…

Are you building for performance—or are you building people?