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Author of the new book titled:
Leading High Performers:
The Ultimate Guide to Being a Fast, Fluid and Flexible Leader
by: Andrea Ryan-Jackson
CRUNK recently had the opportunity to chat with 14 year NBA veteran Eric Snow about his new book Leading High Performers (Morgan James Publishers 2010). Eric Snow is a leader on and off the court. He shared with me his personal insights on what prompted him to come up with the concept of a fast, fluid and flexible approach to leadership. One of the main reasons that the book was written was so that Eric could leave a written reference to his life that would become a legacy for his children. One of the most respected players in professional basketball, and current analyst for Sports NBATV, teaches how to develop and lead star employees and volunteers to create high performance teams.
CRUNK: Explain fast, fluid and flexible
Eric Snow: Fast means responding and adjusting quickly in an ever changing environment. You have to be able to take decisive action with unwavering confidence. When you are fluid you just don't "go with the flow"; instead you help to create the flow. In order to be fluid you have to keep moving forward, regardless of difficulties and who you are leading. High performers respect progress. Flexible is the ability to deal with people on all levels. The main goal is to earn trust and respect.
CRUNK: Who were the leaders in your life and how did they influence you when writing this book?
Eric Snow: My parents, Ambassador Andrew Young, Bishop Eddie Long and every coach I've ever had served to influence, and build confidence, emotionally, spiritually and professionally.
CRUNK: What do you consider the most important element for building a team to get the best results out of an organization?
Eric Snow: The ability to communicate and converse constructively is one of several important factors when building an organization or team.
CRUNK: Why do you say self-confidence is the secret ingredient?
Eric Snow: Self-confidence is the key to maintaining your drive and discipline to keep pushing towards your goals, even when your mind and body are at odds.
CRUNK: How does a person achieve self-confidence if they don't have it?
Eric Snow: Start off with small goals, then move on to bigger goals. The more you achieve, the easier it will become to do it naturally.
CRUNK: How do you handle conflicts within a team?
Eric Snow: I encourage people to keep the big picture in mind. People who lack self-confidence can be highly defensive and difficult to coach. Self-confidence and communication creates a culture of trust and minimizes conflict.
CRUNK: What was the hardest obstacle you've had to overcome?
Eric snow: The hardest thing to overcome was to understand that sometimes you are not physically able to do what you mentally think you can.
CRUNK: How do you handle that?
Eric Snow: By adjusting and finding other ways to impact your organization or team in a positive way.
CRUNK: How do you deal with people who have huge egos?
Eric Snow: Again, how you communicate is important here. You have to be able to hold people accountable for actions and consequences of those actions.
CRUNK: What is on the horizon?
Eric snow: I would like to coach college or pro-basketball and continue to grow as a husband, father and community leader.
It has been said, if you ever ask yourself if you are a leader, all you have to do is look behind you and see who is following you. Eric Snow has proven his leadership abilities throughout his career and I'm sure we will be following his endeavors for years to come.
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