NAME: Melissa Falcone
1. Compare and contrast Coach K and Coach Knight. How are they different? How are they similar?
Both Coach K and Coach Knight were well known for their management styles as for their on-court accomplishments. A main element of both leadership and management is goal achievement. The difference between these two coaches is that their leadership styles originated from the definitive goals they established for their own teams. Coach K preferred a method that influenced the players to build strong relationships and improve the team value. On the other hand, Coach Knight’s approach was to manage each one through an extreme program. In some situations, Coach K’s style seems more acceptable and effective, but in other cases, Coach Knight’s approach may be more appropriate. According to our textbook, leadership styles can be influenced by one’s belief in motivation and human nature. I think the similarities between Knight and K lie in the facts that they both are passionate, disciplined, and extremely competent. Another main difference is the method they use to influence people. To correctly hire a promising leader, one has to understand the dominant type of motivation supported by the organizational culture, here being what the University felt appropriately represented them.
2. Describe Coach K’s leadership style. What are his basic assumptions about motivation, leading and human nature?
Coach K, leading Duke University, has a similar successful record in his coaching career to his mentor, Coach Knight; however, Coach K executed a positive leadership style by relying on reinforcement, supportive encouragement, and most importantly, sincere and heartfelt communication. Coach K’s philosophy is about love, trust, and sense of family. The assumption that Coach K might hold is that the human nature of people is to be determined and motivated, resulting in