The Daily Coach Network is accepting 20 new members before the end of the year. Submit your application by Dec. 13.

In March of 1993, Jim Valvano stepped to the podium at the theatre at Madison Square Garden and delivered a stirring 11-minute address that’s still cited as a paragon in class and charisma, poise and perseverance.

“If you laugh, you think and you cry, that’s a full day,” Valvano said, accepting the Arthur Ashe Award for courage at the ESPYs.  

“Don’t give up,” he famously added. “Don’t ever give up.”

Valvano, the legendary North Carolina State basketball coach, died of cancer less than two months after, but his words 30 years ago continue to inspire.

Valvano’s confidence and maturity amidst the most adverse of circumstances didn’t just come from thin air, though.

His leadership can — at least in part — be traced back to his father, Rocco Valvano, who long gave his son the greatest gift any leader can: Belief.

Before Valvano was a National Champion leading arguably the greatest Cinderella run in NCAA tournament history, he was a coach at Bucknell University dreaming of the postseason — while facing many of the same daily challenges we do.

Despite the fact Valvano missed the tournament in his first eight seasons as a head coach, his father’s faith in him never wavered.

“I’m going to be there when you win a National Championship,” Rocco Valvano told his young son.

When Jim mentioned how difficult that was, Rocco responded: “You’ll do it. My bags are packed.”

The “packed bags” phrase became the motto of the family — an affirmation of self-belief before any tangible evidence even existed — and it remains a critical lesson for us.  

We often derive our confidence from our efficiency and reason that we need to see some results before we have conviction in our methods.

But Valvano’s dad outwardly encouraged him before the ball was even tipped and never felt that his son reaching the highest stage of the sport was merely a pipe dream.

For us as leaders, we have an obligation to support our team members and believe that if they work hard, stay the course and navigate the inevitable hardships, that their goals will ultimately come to fruition.  

As we enter V Week — aimed at raising money for cancer research — let’s not overlook the value and significance of trusting those we lead and the impact our faith in them can have on their performance.

Through the good times and the bad, the best leaders pack their bags.

The Daily Coach Network: Accepting Applications Again

If elevating your team's performance is one of your top priorities for 2024, you'll be glad to hear that we're accepting applications until December 13th for The Daily Coach Network.

The Daily Coach Network, led by three-time Super Bowl-winning NFL executive Michael Lombardi and Naismith Basketball Hall-of-Fame Coach George Raveling, is a vetted membership community of sports executives, business leaders, and coaches who learn together and support each other to improve their team's performance.

Short on time? A total of 4 hours each month unlocks a world of unique learning experiences and connections.

Click here to apply by Dec. 13.