Top quotes by Mike Krzyzewski

My parents didn't really understand too much about sport. At that time, we were in a Polish community in the inner city of Chicago, and I was the youngest of a bunch of cousins. Polish families are real big, with cousins and aunts and uncles. Votes: 24

If you win a National Championship, or you win two, people think you have not only seen the Holy Grail, but you've embraced it. Basically, I do what a lot of people do, but I've been able to win. Votes: 23

The thing I loved the most - and still love the most about teaching - is that you can connect with an individual or a group, and see that individual or group exceed their limits. Votes: 19

I've tried to handle winning well, so that maybe we'll win again, but I've also tried to handle failure well. If those serve as good examples for teachers and kids, then I hope that would be a contribution I have made to sport. Not just basketball, but to sport. Votes: 17

In high school, in sport, I had a coach who told me I was much better than I thought I was, and would make me do more in a positive sense. He was the first person who taught me not to be afraid of failure. Votes: 17

Actually, the Kentucky moment was better than winning the two National Championships, because it was the epitome of what I try to get from a team in a crisis situation. Votes: 17

I always won in my imagination. I always hit the game-winning shot, or I hit the free throw. Or if I missed, there was a lane violation, and I was given another one. Votes: 16

That's another thing, we made up games. We didn't have equipment. When it snowed, we would play slow motion tackle football. We would play hockey, but we wouldn't skate. We just made things up. I loved doing that. Votes: 15

The life expectancy of a team is about eight months. Then the next year, it's a whole new team. Votes: 13

Basketball was not my main sport in grade school, or even the first year of high school. Votes: 12

Throughout my life, my mom has been the person that I've always looked up to. Votes: 11

When I was growing up, there weren't any Little Leagues in the city. Parents worked all the time. They didn't have time to take their kids out to play baseball and football. Votes: 11

I've been so fortunate in my life that my family has never been jealous of my success. They have shown true love and commitment to me by being supportive. They shared in it. Votes: 10

Once you win a National Championship, how do you do that again? How do you get the passion to do that again? We won it again right away, the next year. A lot of it had to do with the fact that I didn't give myself an opportunity to enjoy the first one. Votes: 10

To me, teamwork is the beauty of our sport, where you have five acting as one. You become selfless. Votes: 10

I think some parents now look at a youngster failing as the final thing. It's a process, and failure is part of the process. I would like it if the teacher and the parents would connect more. I think that used to be, but we're losing a little bit of that right now. Votes: 9

Playing sport was somewhat frivolous, but I liked it. I rebelled a little bit, and wouldn't go to music lessons and things like that, but I would go and play ball. My parents learned to love it because they saw how much I got out of it. Votes: 9

I'm fortunate now that I coach at Duke University and we've won a lot. I have some kids who haven't failed that much. But when they get to college, they're going to fail some time. That's a thing that I can help them the most with. Votes: 8

I think you're not a human being unless you have doubts and fears. Votes: 8

The person who has inspired me my whole life is my Mom, because she taught me commitment. She sacrificed. Votes: 7

I'm still not a great reader, but my wife is and my daughters are, and I envy them. I think I got into a bad habit of trying to do something all the time, instead of trying to sit down and take my time a little bit. Votes: 6

Fun is to experience things you would not have been able to experience in any other setting. Votes: 6

I had a really bad temper, when I was growing up. Sport helped me channel that temper into more positive acts. Votes: 5

My ambition in high school was to be a high school coach and teacher, and that's still what I do: teach. Votes: 4

With me and basketball, it became part of me. Votes: 4

When you win, sometimes it overshadows a poor performance. Votes: 3

Each group and each youngster is different. As a leader or coach, you get to know what they need. Votes: 3

Everybody wants to take responsibility when you win, but when you fail, all these fingers are pointing. Votes: 3

I don't look at myself as a basketball coach. I look at myself as a leader who happens to coach basketball. Votes: 3

Imagination has a great deal to do with winning. Votes: 2

If what you have done yesterday still looks big to you. You haven't done much today. Votes: 0

I'm looking for players who make their teammates better. You do that with enthusiasm and passion. Votes: 0

That's what I do now: I lead and I teach. If we win basketball games from doing that, then that's great, but I lead and teach. Those are the two things I concentrate on. Votes: 0

A basketball team is like the five fingers on your hand. If you can get them all together, you have a fist. That's how I want you to play. Votes: 0

When I went to high school, an all-boys' school, a Catholic school, I tried out for football, and I didn't make it. It was the first time, athletically, that I was knocked down. Votes: 0

If you have talent with teamwork, you've got a chance to be a championship team. Votes: 0

Even though we want huge individual egos, our collective ego is unbelievable. Votes: 0

For a college basketball player or coach, to reach the Final Four is la-la land. You've achieved, you've got your stamp of approval. My first team to do that was in 1986. Then we did it in '88, '89 and '90. Votes: 0

The other thing I knew I had was a high level of competitiveness. Votes: 0

I didn't miss any games, but Coach Knight came out and spent three days with my family in Chicago when my dad passed away. I came back and played and it was good therapy for me. Having a basketball family and a coach who understood and actually became like a father figure for that time was comforting to me, and I'm sure that will be comforting to Coleman. Votes: 0

Footwork is one of the primary prerequisites to becoming a great player Votes: 0

Sometimes it's not bad to hurt. Sometimes you don't want things until you get hurt. We got hurt today, let's see what we do. Votes: 0

It's funny what happens when you become a grandparent. You start to act all goofy and do things you never thought you'd do. It's terrific. Votes: 0

There are five fundamental qualities that make every team great: communication, trust, collective responsibility, caring and pride. I like to think of each as a separate finger on the fist. Any one individually is important. But all of them together are unbeatable Votes: 0

Talent is important. But the single most important ingredient after you get the talent is internal leadership. It's not the coaches as much as one single person or people on the team who set higher standards than that team would normally set for itself. I really believe that that's been ultimately important for us. Votes: 0

In all forms of leadership, whether you are a coach, a CEO, or a parent, there are four words that, when said, can bring out the best in your team, your employees, and your family. I BELIEVE IN YOU. Those four words can mean the difference between a fear of failure and the courage to try. Votes: 0

The truth is that many people set rules to keep from making decisions. Votes: 0

The truth is that many people set rules to keep from making decisions. Not me. I don't want to be a manager or a dictator. I want to be a leader-and leadership is ongoing, adjustable, flexible, and dynamic. As such, leaders have to maintain a certain amount of discretion Votes: 0

Therefore, as a player, as a coach, even though we might have lost in a season or not won a championship, it was like a self-fulfilling prophecy that I'm going to win some time. I've never felt myself a loser. Votes: 0

When I was in sixth grade, I wanted to become a priest. Votes: 0

I believe work is good. There is dignity in work. I also believe that a hard-work ethic forges strong leaders. Votes: 0

It's always an honor to be ranked high, but whatever is said about you, you take it and then take a realistic look at yourself and who you are. Votes: 0

If you set up an atmosphere of community and trust, it becomes a tradition. Older team members will establish your credibility with newer ones. Even if they don't like everything about you, they'll say, 'He's trustworthy, committed to us as a team.' Votes: 0

Visualize a wagon wheel as a complete team. A leader might be the hub of the wheel at the center. Now suppose the spokes are the connecting relationships the leader is building with people on the outer rim of the wheel. If the hub is removed, then the entire wheel collapses. In a situation like that, if a team loses the leader, the entire team collapses. Votes: 0

During critical periods, a leader is not allowed to feel sorry for himself, to be down, to be angry, or to be weak. Leaders must beat back these emotions Votes: 0

Parents can really help, but they can also really hinder the development of their youngsters. Votes: 0

There are kids don't want to do something because they're afraid of looking stupid to their peers. There comes a time when they start protecting themselves, instead of extending. I want to make sure that they're always trying to extend themselves. Votes: 0

...you can't play any defense if the other team is on the foul line. Votes: 0

A common mistake among those who work in sport is spending a disproportional amount of time on "x's and o's" as compared to time spent learning about people. Votes: 0

A leader has to be positive about all things that happen to his team. Look at nothing in the past as failure. Votes: 0

A leader has to show the face his team needs to see. Votes: 0

A leader is someone who puts their people in position to be successful all the time Votes: 0

A leader may be the most knowledgeable person in the world, but if the players on his team cannot translate that knowledge into action, it means nothing. Votes: 0

A leader's responsibility to his team is paramount. It overshadows even his own personal feelings at any given time. Votes: 0

A team is a fist-not five fingers. Votes: 0

Almost everything in leadership comes back to relationships. Votes: 0

Always get back to your core principles. Votes: 0

Are you going to show integrity only when someone is watching you - or are you going to show it all the time? Votes: 0

As a leader you can get sidetracked but you have to complete your mission Votes: 0

As teachers and coaches, we must remember that when mere winning is our only goal, we are doomed to disappointment and failure. But when our goal is to try to win, when our focus is on preparation and sacrifice and effort instead of on numbers on a scoreboard then we will never lose. Votes: 0

Believe that the loose ball that you are chasing has your name wirtten on it. Votes: 0

Champions play as they practice. Create a consistency of excellence in all your habits. Votes: 0

Communication does not always occur naturally, even among a tight-knit group of individuals. Communication must be taught and practiced in order to bring everyone together as one Votes: 0

Confidence shared is better than confidence only in yourself. Votes: 0

Confrontation simply means meeting the truth head-on. Votes: 0

Courage and confidence are what decision making is all about. Votes: 0

Courage gives a leader the ability to stand straight and not sway, no matter which way the wind blows. Votes: 0

Defense is one man guarding the ball and four others helping him Votes: 0

Discipline is doing what you are supposed to do in the best possible manner at the time you are supposed to do it. Votes: 0

Don't do anything as an individual that will make you stand out from your teammates. Votes: 0

Don't let a single game break your heart. Votes: 0

Don't worry about losing. Think about winning. Votes: 0

During the season, your team should be led with exuberance and excitement. You should live the journey. You should live it right. You should live it together. You should live it shared. You should try to make one another better. You should get on one another if somebody's not doing their part. You should hug one another when they are. You should be disappointed in a loss and exhilarated in a win. It's all about the journey. Votes: 0

Effective teamwork begins and ends with communication Votes: 0

Effort is fully replenishable. There is no need to save any of it. Leave every bit you have on the playing field Votes: 0

Embrace the hell out of personal responsibility. Votes: 0

Encourage members of your team to take the initiative and act on their own. Votes: 0

Every leader needs to remember that a healthy respect for authority takes time to develop. It's like building trust. You don't instantly have trust, it has to be earned. Votes: 0

Every season is a journey. Every journey is a lifetime. Votes: 0

First of all, what happens is, when you're good at something, you spend a lot of time with it. People identify you with that sport, so it becomes part of your identity. Votes: 0

Friendships, along with love, make life worth living. Votes: 0

Goals should be realistic, attainable, and shared among all members of the team Votes: 0

Good sound habits are more important than rules - use concepts. Votes: 0

Great rivalries don't have to be built on hatred. They're built on respect, on a respect for excellence. Votes: 0

Growth creates complexity, which requires simplicity. Votes: 0

I always wanted to teach. Votes: 0

I believe a big part of leadership is about winning the moment. Votes: 0

I don't think we surprise people. We try to out-execute them. Votes: 0

I don't think you play for other people's expectations, you know. You don't go and become a lawyer because your mother or father want you to, you don't become a coach because somebody wants you to. Votes: 0

I have a plan of action, but the game is a game of adjustments. Votes: 0

I have a rule on my team: When we talk to one another, we look each other right in the eye, because I think it's tough to lie to somebody. You give respect to somebody. Votes: 0

I love practice. It is when a coach exercises the most control over the improvement of his or her team. Votes: 0

I never want to lead a team that is not allowed the freedom to pursue what's in their hearts. If you want your team to be fully committed, then you'd better be fully committed Votes: 0

I think coaching is confused at times as being an arrow that only goes to a player. Those players send arrows back to you, and that's where a relationship is developed. I don't make a player, and a player doesn't make me a coach. We make each other. Votes: 0

I try to see each new season as a new challenge because I have a new team to work with, new opponents to encounter, and often new ideas and theories to try Votes: 0

I was very pleased with the entire selection process. The manner in which it was conducted included all parts of United States' basketball, from the professional level to the colleges and high schools. Everyone was considered. Votes: 0

If a team cannot perform with excellence at a moment's notice, they probably will fail in the long run. Votes: 0

In developing teams, I don't believe in rules. I believe in standards. Rules don't promote teamwork, standards do Votes: 0

In leadership, there are no words more important than trust. Votes: 0

In leadership, there are no words more important than trust. In any organization, trust must be developed among every member of the team if success is going to be achieved Votes: 0

In order to be a winner, you have to look for ways of getting things done and not for reasons why things can't be done. People who live with excuses have things that can't be done hovering around them all the time. Votes: 0

In our program, the truth is the basis of all we do. There is nothing more important than the truth because there's nothing more powerful than the truth. Consequently, on our team, we always tell each other the truth. We must be honest with one another. There is no other way. Votes: 0

In putting together your standards, remember that it is essential to involve your entire team. Standards are not rules issued by the boss; they are a collective identity. Remember, standards are the things that you do all the time and the things for which you hold one another accountable. Votes: 0

It is the ultimate honor for a coach to be his country's coach. Votes: 0

It takes courage not only to make decisions, but to live with those decisions afterward Votes: 0

It's simply doing what you're supposed to do as well as you can when you're supposed to do it. Votes: 0

It's not like we have not had close games. We've just been able to win them, and as a result, the reality sometimes doesn't set in that you're weak in certain areas or you're not doing certain things well. ... When you win, sometimes it overshadows a poor performance. Votes: 0

Leaders have to give time for relationships. But more demands will be placed on their time as they become more successful. So if a person's success is based on developing relationships, then they have to continually find new ways of getting it done Votes: 0

Leaders have to search for the heart on a team, because the person who has it can bring out the best in everybody else. Votes: 0

Leaders should be reliable without being predictable. They should be consistent without being anticipated Votes: 0

Leaders show respect for people by giving them time. Votes: 0

Leadership is an ever-evolving position. Votes: 0

Leadership is simple: Add value to people everyday. Votes: 0

Making shots counts, but not as much as the people who make them. Votes: 0

Mutual commitment helps overcome the fear of failure"”especially when people are part of a team sharing and achieving goals. It also sets the stage for open dialogue and honest conversation. Votes: 0

My hunger is not for success, it is for excellence. Because when you attain excellence, success just naturally follows. Votes: 0

My mom gave me unconditional support and unfailing love. You can't get any better than that. That's why I've never been afraid to lose. Votes: 0

Never delegate. Always empower. Votes: 0

Never let a person's weakness get in the way of their strength. Votes: 0

One of the worst things anybody can do is assume. I think fools assume. If people have really got it together, they never assume anything. They believe, they work hard, and they prepare- but they don't assume. Votes: 0

Only the mediocre are always at their best. If your standards are low, it is easy to meet those standards every single day, every single year. But if your standard is to be the best, there will be days when you fall short of that goal. It is okay to not win every game. The only problem would be if you allow a loss or a failure to change your standards. Keep your standards intact, keep the bar set high, and continue to try your very best every day to meet those standards. If you do that, you can always be proud of the work that you do. Votes: 0

Our goal is not to win. It's to play together and play hard. Then, winning takes care of itself. Votes: 0

People have to be given the freedom to show the heart they possess. I think it's a leader's responsibility to provide that type of freedom. And I believe it can be done through relationships and family. Because if a team is a real family, it's members want to show you their hearts. Votes: 0

People want to be on a team. They want to be part of something bigger than themselves. They want to be in a situation where they feel that they are doing something for the greater good. Votes: 0

Pete Newell told me 'get as much information and learn as much about the game as you can, but use your own personality to teach it.' Votes: 0

Play and practice like you are trying to make the team. Votes: 0

Players' attention spans get less and less as they progress. Votes: 0

Sometimes in a defeat, you can set the stage for future victory. I wanted them to feel good about what they had accomplished. Not to like losing, but to like the success that they had. Votes: 0

That's why basketball was so good, because I didn't really need you or anyone else to play it. It would be better if we played four-on-four or five-on-five, but I could go out there alone. Votes: 0

The best teams are team in any sport that lose themselves in the team. The individuals lose their identity. And their identities come about as a result of being in the team first. Votes: 0

The team that trusts-their leader and each other-is more likely to be successful. Votes: 0

The worst thing we can do is put the (other) team in a one-and-one. Votes: 0

There are always those times when you're going to be down. It's how you step through it that makes you the person you are. Votes: 0

Throughout the season, I look into my players eyes to gauge feelings, confidence levels, and to establish instant trust. Votes: 0

Turning down the Lakers was tough, but it is always good to renew your vows to the loves of your life. Votes: 0

Two are better than one if two act as one. Votes: 0

We travel in Duke stuff... They can have a hat, but it must be a Duke hat. Votes: 0

Whatever a leader does now sets up what he does later. And there's always a later. Votes: 0

When a leader takes responsibility for his own actions and mistakes, he not only sets a good example, he shows a healthy respect for people on his team Votes: 0

When I had troubles, I'd go out with basketball - you can do it by yourself, too. So you'd go out and shoot, and you'd fantasize. Votes: 0

When you are passionate, you always have your destination in sight and you are not distracted by obstacles. Because you love what you are pursuing, things like rejection and setbacks will not hinder you in your pursuit. You believe that nothing can stop you! Votes: 0

When you are speaking to your team after a game, never talk about the kid who was the star of the game. Talk about what your other players did to help the team win. Be sure to spread the wealth... Then have individual meetings with one to three players to praise and reinforce. Make sure you touch them. Votes: 0

When you cleanse yourself of a big victory, you may open yourself up to the opportunity for an even bigger victory Votes: 0

When you first assemble a group, it's not a team right off the bat. It's only a collection of individuals Votes: 0

Why do you play a game? I play a game to see how good we can be. Votes: 0

With accomplishments comes confidence and with confidence comes belief. It has to be in that order. Votes: 0

You can see and you can listen, but you have to have moments in which you feel. Votes: 0

You cannot merely expect culture to be a natural occurrence; it has to be taught and made a part of your everyday routine. Votes: 0

You can't defer if you're the person who's in the leadership position. Votes: 0

You develop a team to achieve what one person cannot accomplish alone. All of us alone are weaker, by far, than if all of us are together. Votes: 0

You don't just be a team. You become a team. Through tough games you find that you need each other Votes: 0

You have to work hard at staying in contact with your friends so that the relationships will continue and live on... Friendships, along with love, make life worth living. Votes: 0

You should do things because of what your expectations are of yourself. Votes: 0

You start developing a championship attitude by, first of all, telling kids that they are really good and that they have the potential to become better. Votes: 0

I think leadership is never singular. In a good organization, it's plural. Votes: 0

If the only reason I coached was to win basketball games, my life would be pretty shallow Votes: 0

We lost, and that's the main thing that went wrong, Votes: 0

The only way you're going to grow is to be in difficult situations. Votes: 0