Following The Decision, I doubt LeBron James paid much attention to my business analogies about his situation.
But, I would like to thank LeBron for inspiring yet another blog post.
Basketball Round-up
In case you are not a sports fan or managed to escape the endless hours focused on LeBron James, allow me to bring you up to speed.
- LeBron James is a professional basketball player and two-time Most Valuable Player
- He went straight from an Ohio high school to a professional contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers
- He was a huge hometown hero, nicknamed, King James
- Until – The Decision
LeBron’s contract was expiring with the Cavaliers. He could elect to re-sign with Cleveland or move to another team. Sounds simple, right?
Penalty for Excessive Celebration
What he did was turn The Decision into a one-hour special, full of hype to announce –
“I have decided to take my talent to South Beach.”
LeBron signed with the Miami Heat team, and snubbed Cleveland by letting them hear it for the first time on prime-time t.v.
The Chosen One became the Pariah.
Joined by two other superstars –
- LeBron celebrated his arrival on a major stage
- Predicted multiple championships
The Miami Heat became the team to hate with King James at the center of it all.
The Loser
Fast-forward to this year’s NBA championship.
LeBron and his team made it to the finals, where they lost in six games to the Dallas Mavericks. Everyone but South Beach celebrated.
- A player who topped the list as the favorite NBA player toppled in the polls
- A star who was in a commercial every time you turned around was missing
- One who had to do major damage control after remarks he made after losing
- All at the age of 26
So, what business lessons have we learned?
Business Lessons
#1 – Show respect in making tough decisions.
Certainly Cleveland fans would have been disappointed about LeBron leaving. What really cut was the manner in which he did it.
It was his right to make his own business decisions. But, show respect to your current employer and your customers (the fans) by communicating your decision professionally.
#2 – Celebrate successes with class.
No one likes a braggart or to have a loss rubbed in their face. By making such a huge spectacle of his arrival in Miami (like the Second Coming), LeBron lost fans who loved him.
Yes, fans get a bit out there – fan is short for fanatic – but, show some class when celebrating success.
#3 – Don’t promise what you can’t deliver.
Tom Peters, business author and speaker, offered a good standard –
“Formula for Success: Under promise and over deliver.”
It’s a good idea to get one NBA title under your belt before promising 5 or 6.
#4 – When faced with adversity – shut up.
It’s human nature to get defensive when attacked. Curb that reflex and just shut up until you work through the emotions.
We all make mistakes. It’s how we handle it that has people (your customers) talking. Find the lesson in the adversity and speak about that. People will respect you for it.
#5 – Don’t quit in the end.
In the NBA, they call it being a closer. It means playing through the whole game and finishing strong – being the go-to guy to win the game.
If a business plan is not going as planned, make adjustments. Spark that beginning-game enthusiasm and finish strong. It’s your game to win or lose.
What business lessons did you learn from LeBron?
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Super post! To me, what LeBron did that will make any biz fail is he forgot who his customers were. Who put him on the map. Who his loyal fans were. Yes, he is talented and yes, Miami wanted him BUT to turn his back on his loyal fan base? Many companies have failed because they forgot who their customers were.
Hi Martha-Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I cannot even imagine the effect of a 17/18-year-old becoming instantly wealthy overnight, much less having every mistake broadcast around the world.
LeBron is young, talented, and probably, at heart, a good person. But, you’re right, the old adage Dance with the one who brung you is a good lesson.
Thanks for stopping by, Martha.
As a non-basketball fan, I found this article useful. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Roy: Glad to know it applies, regardless of your status as a fan or non-fan. 🙂
Another great post Cathy, and a good warning we all should heed. As Martha said – don’t forget who your customers are. LeBron needs a mentor – one who isn’t dazzled by him, to help him manage his fame more maturely. I was one of the fans he turned off not with the move, but with the spectacle. I’ll be keeping this in mind as we share our successes with the world as well!
Hi, Lisa: Thank you for the kudos. You’re right, there are many young stars that could use a mentor who isn’t dazzled by their young protege’s fame.
I’ll be watching your successes. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Lisa!
Remember, Don’t ever ask Lebron for change for a dollar. You’ll only get 3 quarters out of him.
Did everyone observe Lebron James day on Monday by leaving 12 minute early?
LOL, Bill! Don’t know how I had missed these-I’ll have to steal a few. Thanks for stopping by and sharing a laugh or two. 😀
Hi Cathy,
Some pretty tough lessons here.
I love Lebron’s game; have followed him since he was prodigious 16 year who could have played in the NBA as a sophomore in high school.
I’m sure he’s learning many lessons as he progresses. Overall, I think he’s a good person who is just getting adjusted to A – The Spotlight and B – Having masses of people hate him for making a decision which angered many and made a small group of Heat fans and staunch Lebron supporters happy.
Anybody who chases their dreams and makes bold, polarizing decisions will learn some fast and hard lessons, that is for sure.
Thanks for sharing!
Ryan
Ryan: Thanks for sharing your perspective. I agree with you that I think LeBron is a talented, young man dealing with some pretty major adjustments. What he does with the life lessons remains to be seen.
Thanks for stopping by, Ryan.