The Point Guard: A Model for Effective Leadership

I'm a basketball fan. Of the many wonderful aspects of this great sport, one of my favourites is watching a great point guard at work during a game. A point guard is the one who calls the plays and directs the team on the court. How they perform on game day is often the sole difference between a win and a loss. When on song, they are a model of effective leadership. Here are 5 key characteristics of great point guards that make this so.

1. They have vision. While they may not be the most gifted in the physical department, they can read the game and identify opportunities for their team to score where others can't. Moreover, they can often create opportunities where there are seemingly none. They are constantly aware of the 'big picture' - How much time is left on the shot clock? How many fouls does player X have? What is the other team's defensive strategy? With this ability to appreciate the wider perspective, they are able to problem solve creatively and make effective decisions quickly, often under substantial duress. Rather than outrun and outmuscle the opposition, a point guard outthinks them. Rather than just dealing with the present, they are also able to anticipate future states of play.

2. They are self-assured and composed under pressure.  Often referred to as the 'ball carrier' or 'play maker' the point guard is the primary custodian of the basketball, whenever their team is in possession. They typically handle the ball more than any other player in the team during a game. As such, no other team member is guarded more heavily and subject to more pressure from the opposition. Under this sort of pressure, a point guard must be self-assured and composed in their decision making and execution of play. This not only has a direct impact on the game, but also an indirect one, by way of state of mind rubbing off on team members, resulting in elevated effort and skill levels.

3. They are effective delegators. The primary focus of a point guard is not score themselves, but to orchestrate the team to give someone else in the team the opportunity to score. This could mean diverting attention from that someone else so that they can get on with their work. There will be occasions when there is a need for them to get the job done themselves, and while they are capable, the default mindset of the point guard is to create opportunities for their team mates. The point guard, by definition of their role, ought to be the most selfless member of the team.

4. They have a good working relationship with and understand each member of their team. They know each team member's personality, strengths, weaknesses and needs. This involves work to discover these on and off the court. Having this knowledge and a good relationship facilitates mutual trust ("If I lob the ball up there, I know you'll be there throw it down!") and provides the point guard with the parameters they've got to work with during a game.

5. They help their team members look good. They are often understated by nature. Your typical point guard may not be the most athletic, biggest, fastest or powerful individual on the court. One could even argue that often, they are the least in each of those departments. When the game is won, it's usually the player who has the most points, or the one who made the highlight reel, who basks in the glory of attention, not the point guard, who gave them the opportunity to showcase their talent. The point guard would be more than OK with that.  

As a youngster, my aim was to be a 7-foot tall, chiselled mass of muscle, who would be able to 'crash the boards' with the big boys on the basketball court. My genetics never gave me a chance. Dad was short and Mum was even shorter. I didn't get much past 5-foot and, rather than chiselled’, I’m probably more 'butter-knifed.' Suffice to say, I'm slightly bitter. Despite of this great life disappointment, I remain a fan of the game, my local team the Adelaide 36ers and the tournament, they call 'The Show.' Forced by circumstance, I now appreciate the finer points of the game from the comforts of my lounge, none more so than what the point guard represents within and without the game of basketball. From this, I'm consoled by the knowledge that one doesn't have to be the most naturally gifted to be a great leader. One merely needs to put in the practice hours to develop the 5 key 'point guard' characteristics of effective leadership. If being an effective leader is your aspiration, it's time to get off the couch!