hat can you learn from one of the greatest basketball coaches of all time that you can use in your business on a daily basis? That’s the question that former UNC basketball coach Dean Smith, UNC Kenan-Flagler professor Gerald Bell and sports writer John Kilgo address in their book, “The Carolina Way: Leadership Lessons from a Life in Coaching” (The Penguin Press).

“Coach Smith developed three keys for coaching. He focused on getting his players to play hard, play smart and play together. What business is all about is getting people to do things effectively and in orchestration with each other,” said Bell, who teaches management and organizational behavior, has been on the faculty at UNC Kenan-Flagler for more than 30 years and heads up his own leadership consulting firm.

In the book, the legendary “winning-est coach” shares a philosophy of leadership that he developed over 40 years of shaping the lives of internationally renowned athletes.

Bell and Smith discussed lessons from the new book at a spring 2004 seminar co-hosted by UNC Kenan-Flagler and Jim Heavner, president of VilCom.

“If you want to build a career, don’t focus on profits and returns; it’s the wrong way to win. Focus on the processes that create a high chance of winning. Focus on how to lead,” Bell said. 

Bell offered other leadership gems from the book that  focused on Smith’s management style:

• Lead with integrity. “Coach Smith has an incredible standard of personal honor and integrity. Rachet up your personal honor in every action you take,” Bell said.

• Get people to work hard, work smart and work together. “Coach Smith deeply cared about and supported every player,” Bell said.

• Build teamwork by selecting people who are team players, rewarding teamwork, giving credit to others and praising their contributions. “Practice the ‘tired signal’ that Coach Smith’s players used to call themselves out of the game. When someone else is better at a subject, let them lead you.”