All Segments
Steve Kerr, Head Coach of the Golden State Warriors
31 segments available
Since 2014, Steve Kerr has guided the Golden State Warriors as head coach through four of the most prolific seasons in NBA history with a list of accomplishments that includes three NBA championships, four-straight NBA Finals appearances, the NBA's single-season wins record (73), an NBA Coach of the Year award (2015-16), and four of the five winningest seasons in franchise history. In this View From The Top, Rustom Birdie, MBA ’22 sits down with Kerr to discuss his core principles and values he brings each day to the locker room, how to remind yourself that everyone has strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and vulnerabilities, and why building perspective "is crucial for all the players to understand how lucky we are to be able to compete and play basketball the whole time.” As a former NBA player himself, Steve's knowledge of the courts has helped to build a culture and atmosphere that whether winning or losing, you keep getting better. "You gotta go for it. The best way to succeed is to not think about the failures," says Kerr. #gsbvftt #gsbpodcast
Segments Timeline
The Energy of Live Fans
Steve Kerr shares his excitement about returning to a full arena after the pandemic, highlighting the energy and normalcy that fans bring to the game. He reflects on the importance of community and connection in sports, emphasizing how it feels to be back in front of a live audience.
">> Hi Steve. >> Hi. >> How does it feel hanging out for like 20 minutes still awkward, right? How does it feel to be back in front of everyone you're not on Zoom anymore. >> Yeah it feels nice w..."
Leadership Style: Freedom and Responsibility
Kerr describes his leadership style as one that mirrors how he raised his children, emphasizing freedom and responsibility. He believes in giving players the freedom to play instinctively while providing a structured culture that guides their performance.
"Or option two we've been told as if this was a performance in actually remove your mask. If you want to shoot some three pointers for us, let us know. >> So I can actually remove this if I perform...."
The Roots of Competitiveness
Reflecting on his childhood, Kerr discusses how his competitive nature was shaped by his upbringing. He shares a humorous anecdote about throwing a tantrum during an Easter egg hunt, illustrating how his parents helped him channel his competitiveness in a positive direction.
"bit like I raised my children. My wife and I did that together, and we always sort of gave them a lot of rope. But they kind of knew they were responsible for that freedom. And so I believe in the..."
Cultural Exposure and Empathy
Kerr talks about his international upbringing, living in places like Beirut and Cairo. He explains how these experiences shaped his worldview and instilled empathy, which he now tries to impart to his team, reminding them of their privilege to play basketball for a living.
">> Probably my own parents. I was kind of a strange kid, to be honest with you. I was super competitive at a very young age, to the point where it was actually kind of embarrassing for the famil..."
Lessons from the City of the Dead
Kerr recounts a powerful memory from his childhood in Cairo, describing the 'City of the Dead' where many lived in poverty. This experience profoundly impacted him, providing perspective on life and reinforcing the importance of gratitude and empathy in his leadership.
">> Right, I wanna touch more on your upbringing and your parents. You were born in Beirut. Your father Malcom was also born in there is a lot of movement between Lebanon and Egypt other Mediterran..."
Influences of Great Leaders
Kerr reflects on the leadership styles of Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in leadership. He shares how their influences have shaped his approach, particularly in fostering joy and competitiveness within his team.
"naturally sort of build some empathy but perspective. And I try to introduce perspective with our team as often as I can at something Gregg Popovich was amazing with in San Antonio. And I think it..."
The Balance of Joy and Competitiveness
Discussing his relationship with star player Steph Curry, Kerr highlights the shared values of joy and competitiveness that define their team culture. He explains how these values are crucial for team dynamics and success.
"You mentioned Gregg Popovich as well, one of, in my opinion at least personally, I'm sure you'll agree, the best leaders out there, and not just coach but leader in the NBA. You've worked with h..."
Managing Upwards and Downwards
Kerr shares insights on people management, emphasizing the importance of understanding the challenges faced by everyone in the organization. He discusses the need for open communication and maintaining relationships across all levels of the team.
"And to have somebody like Steph who's so strong in terms of his own leadership, I've been just incredibly blessed. >> Right, you touched on staff and I wanna maybe dive deeper into a part of lead..."
Creating an Inclusive Culture
Kerr discusses the significance of inclusivity in team culture, sharing a story about a junior staff member's impactful idea that led to a major game decision. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration and valuing contributions from all team members.
">> Yeah >> It's really crucial. >> Yeah. >> And it's a big part of the job. >> Right, you mentioned communication there, and I wanna maybe touch on that a little bit more. This is specifically a..."
Handling Conflict: The Durant-Green Incident
Kerr reflects on a challenging moment when Kevin Durant and Draymond Green had a public confrontation. He shares how he navigated the situation using lessons learned from past experiences, emphasizing the importance of setting non-negotiables for player behavior.
"so really powerful force because then the players take ownership. But doing that while maintaining you're the person in charge ultimately is kinda the balance that we're all looking for, yeah. >> ..."
Trusting Proven Talent Over Potential
In this segment, Kerr recounts a pivotal decision regarding a potential trade for Kevin Love, advocating for the retention of Klay Thompson. He explains his conviction in sticking with proven talent and the importance of historical performance in making strategic decisions, which ultimately contributed to the Warriors' success.
">> And like you said in your career over many decades, that was the first time you had even come across that. So there's always a curveball around the corner there's always a first time for any ..."
Building a Winning Culture
Kerr shares insights on maintaining a consistent management approach despite rapid success. He emphasizes the significance of creating a culture focused on player development and improvement, regardless of win-loss records, and the necessity of handling criticism as part of the coaching journey.
"gave you conviction in that moment? That thing and supporting a fairly unknown or unproven player versus more of a genuine kind of proven expert >> I think that I've been in the NBA now in some c..."
Finding Balance in Leadership
Kerr discusses the challenges of modern life and the pressures faced by athletes in the public eye. He stresses the importance of work-life balance for players, sharing personal strategies for managing stress and criticism, and highlighting how a balanced life contributes to better performance on and off the court.
"you have the worst record in the league. The goal still is the same thing, right? So as long as you're generating that feeling in the gym each day. Then you have to be comfortable with the criti..."
The Double Standard of Athlete Expectations
In this segment, Kerr addresses the societal double standards faced by athletes compared to professionals in other fields. He explains the unique pressures of the NBA, including public scrutiny and criticism, while reinforcing the idea that navigating these challenges is part of the trade-off for the rewards of being a professional athlete.
"balance and I find it through, I do a lot of yoga, I like to read. I find if I can get into a good book, I'm just kinda in a better frame of mind each day. And I like to cook, just cooking a meal..."
Understanding the NBA Experience
Kerr reflects on the challenges young players face as they enter the NBA at a younger age. He shares a personal anecdote about a rookie's shock at the lack of time off during the season, illustrating the steep learning curve and the importance of preparation for the realities of professional basketball.
"what the NBA is about. When you're playing in the NBA you're gonna get booed, you're gonna get criticized, you're gonna get injured, you're gonna get cut, you're gonna get traded. But if you can..."
Confronting Racial Injustice
Kerr discusses the impact of the George Floyd murder and the absence of leadership in addressing racial issues. He reflects on his own education regarding historical injustices, emphasizing the need for awareness and reconciliation in society.
"heartbroken. He said, we don't get any time off at al And like no and it turned out the coach actually made him go home for a couple of days he was so homesick. And but you kinda have to know what..."
The Role of Education in Activism
In this segment, Kerr highlights the importance of educating oneself about social issues. He references Bryan Stevenson’s concept of 'proximity' and how being close to the communities affected by injustice can lead to meaningful change and understanding.
"on you had a podcast 12 flying coach, I believe Pete Carroll. And there was a specific episode. I believe that was June, early June when you had Brad Popovich as a guest and this was right afte..."
The Challenge of Speaking Out
Kerr shares his approach to activism, focusing on issues he is passionate about, such as gun violence and racial equality. He discusses the importance of being informed before speaking out and how personal experiences shape his advocacy.
"have you ever did you ever hear the Tulsa race riots I said, no, this was a year and a half ago. Since that time a lot has come out. There's been documentaries, but my point at the time was I took..."
Navigating Political Divisions
Kerr addresses the political divisions that hinder progress on social issues. He critiques the backlash against discussions of critical race theory and emphasizes the need for honest conversations about America's history and its implications for the present.
"George Floyd's murder being an easy example and a terrible example. But I think the point is, what's happened now is so you immediately get this conversation on critical race theory. Which is j..."
Taking Action in Our Communities
Kerr encourages individuals to engage with their communities and take action on social issues. He stresses the importance of grassroots movements and being present in the lives of those affected by injustice to foster real change.
">> Yeah, unfortunately I mean while the politics of it play a massive role in, would need all of our lives a lot easier. What can we as individuals, perhaps do on an individual level in our comm..."
Personal Responsibility in Leadership
Kerr discusses the responsibility of leaders to speak out on issues they are knowledgeable about. He reflects on his journey of becoming more vocal about social issues and the importance of using one's platform for advocacy.
"before. Bryan Stevenson is another incredible guest speaker, we had the civil rights lawyer. And he talks about proximity, and he said proximity is so important. And we asked him what do you mean ..."
Finding Your Passion in Activism
Kerr shares his personal motivations for advocating against gun violence and for racial equality. He emphasizes the importance of connecting with issues that resonate personally and the impact of lived experiences on one's activism.
"feel it and be proximate to it. >> I love that. I had not heard that analogy with proximity before, but I think being present and as close to the source of it definitely makes a difference. You'r..."
The Power of Team Dynamics
Kerr reflects on the joy of coaching and the excitement of a connected team. He describes the feeling of momentum when a team plays well and how that collective energy inspires him to continue striving for success.
"I lost my dad to gun violence when I was 18, he was 52. And so gun violence is something that is, it affects me deeply, and my family. And so I've spent a lot of time with a lot of the different..."
Moments of Silence and Action
Kerr recounts a pivotal moment during the 2016 NBA Finals when he felt compelled to speak out against gun violence. He discusses the importance of taking action rather than just honoring victims with moments of silence.
">> It's always gonna be a personal choice, but using the idea of being informed and educated on those topics is a good starting way of deciding when to lean into those issues. >> Yeah, I mean, I ..."
Embracing Activism
Kerr shares his journey into activism, detailing how he began to speak out on issues that matter to him. He reflects on the challenges and rewards of using his platform to advocate for change.
"like it's great, let's honor the victims and their families, but maybe we should, excuse my language maybe we should effing do something about it, right-? >> Yep, absolutely. >> And it's just, it'..."
Beyond Expectations in Coaching
Kerr discusses what motivates him to exceed societal expectations as a coach. He expresses his passion for creating joy and connection within his team, highlighting the importance of shared experiences and community involvement.
"ask all of our speakers this year for you from the top. Our theme Steve ,is beyond expectations. You've certainly in the stories you've shared right now gone beyond the expectations set forth by..."
The Championship Moment
Reflecting on a pivotal moment in the 1997 NBA Finals, Kerr recounts the pressure of making a game-winning shot. He discusses the importance of overcoming self-doubt and the lessons learned from Michael Jordan about embracing failure and seizing opportunities.
"Great, let's open it up to questions. I think we have the first one right over there. You could just introduce yourself, please. >> Hey, Stephen, first of all, thank you very much for being with ..."
Lessons from Failure
Kerr emphasizes the necessity of going for it in high-pressure situations, sharing how his experiences shaped his understanding of success and failure. He highlights the importance of playing freely without the fear of failure, a lesson he learned from his time in the NBA.
"When you're a kid when you miss you just pretend that you got fouled and now you go to the free throw line and you shoot two free throws. And but when it's happening, you can't quite have that l..."
Building a Championship Culture
Kerr discusses the foundational values he instilled in the Warriors organization when he became head coach. He shares insights from Pete Carroll on the significance of culture and how joy, competition, mindfulness, and compassion became the core values guiding the team's daily practices.
"and something I'll have forever. >> Next question. Get one back there. >> Steve, thanks so much for speaking with us today. My name is Tejas. I'm a first year MBA student here. And my question to..."
The Gratification of Coaching
Kerr compares the experience of winning a championship as a player versus as a coach. He explains how coaching brings a deeper sense of fulfillment as he witnesses the collective joy and success of the entire team, highlighting the responsibility he feels for everyone involved.
"We incorporated a ton of joy into our practice sessions. We competed at everything. We kept score of everything. We treated our players with great compassion, but making those values come alive..."
Quickfire Favorites
In a light-hearted lightning round, Kerr shares his preferences on various topics, including basketball legends and food cities. His humorous responses provide insight into his personality and preferences, concluding the session on an engaging note.
"coaching is, you feel responsible for everyone. >> That's great. Thanks for answering those, Steve. We are almost done, before we let you go we want to do a quick lightning round. >> Okay. >> I'll ..."