Dikembe Mutombo Foundation Paper

When informed about this assignment, I immediately knew that I wanted to do an organization that was closely linked with basketball. In result, I choose to do the organization of the Boston Celtics. The Celtics are a prestigious organization that has been one of the greatest organizations of the NBA (National Basketball Association). After furthering my career in basketball, I would enjoy working for a sports team as a marketer or at a division one school as an athletic director.

The diversity of nonprofit organizations, services provided and the problems faced shows that nonprofits require leadership with an in-depth understanding of the multifaceted nonprofit landscape. Understanding the culture of nonprofit work is also crucial and much easier to understand once you have been through a nonprofit management program. My career interests lead me towards an avocation of a deeper knowledge of strategic management/planning, legal structure and standards, increase my skills in quantitative analysis of policy, financial governance and developing fundraising strategies. These areas allow for macro management within the nonprofit

In the collegiate world of sports, basketball has become an increasingly recognized sport among African Americans, predominantly males. The hope of any young basketball player is that one day a scout will come and recruit them into stardom The question that presents itself as a problem to the lucky few who are chosen to go professional, is whether or not an education is more important than a million dollar shoe deal, “The NCAA's (1998) annual six-year study reported that only 33% of Black male basketball players graduated, (Chronicle of Higher Education, 1999). Individually, basketball reported the lowest graduation rate in all divisions,” (Robinson, 2004:1). Basketball players have become so idolized in the eyes of young

Over the course of my career, I have tried to model various leadership behaviors based upon successful leaders that I have worked with or for. This has led me to incorporate different styles into my own. Considering my current leadership strengths and how I view successful leaders I will use a servant leadership theory to analyze my own competencies. Servant leaders have 9 different aspects comprised of: emotional healing, creating value for the community, conceptual skills, empowering, helping subordinates grow and succeed, putting subordinates first, behaving ethically, relationships, and servanthood (Boone & Makhani, 2005, pg. 86). The aspects of a servant leader are those that I personally value and identify with. In addition to this, it is my belief that servant leaders, because they are people oriented, are more effective in a variety of environments and situations.

Collegiately, Jordan’s legacy was established as a freshman when he nailed the game winning shot in the National Championship versus Patrick Ewing’s Hoyas. Even though, the Tar Heels didn’t hoist the trophy in the following years with Jordan, one thing was constant, Jordan himself. Win or lose, no matter the players around him or the level of competition, he would always put on a show. This would hold true as Jordan’s rise to prominence conveyed an analysis of sport’s emergence on the global stage.

During the 1980s and 1990s the new HIV disease began to emerge in society and with it came harsh stereotypes and discrimination against those who contracted it. Simultaneously, one of the most talented and influential point guards in basketball was dominating the sport: Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Throughout his career Johnson gained three Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards and was admitted into the Basketball Hall of Fame (“Magic Johnson”). However, on November 7, 1991, Johnson announced his diagnosis of HIV and his retirement from the National Basketball Association (NBA). Following this abrupt and unexpected event, Johnson became one of the leading figures in the fight against AIDS. The Magic Johnson Foundation was founded and is still dedicated to educating communities about AIDS. The charitable and influential work Johnson contributed to the research of AIDS revealed him as not just an extraordinary basketball player but also as an extraordinary human being (“Magic Johnson”). A few years after Johnson’s diagnosis, he released his autobiography, My Life. My Life describes the childhood and competitive basketball years of Johnson as well as his announcement of contracting HIV. In the article, “New and Noteworthy Paperbacks”, by Laurel Graeber, reviewer Harvey Araton describes Magic Johnson’s autobiography, My Life, as “best when he shares his insights about his coaches and fellow players” (Graeber). The article has positive things to say about Johnson’s autobiography such

When thinking of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the players who come to mind are usually Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Many different opinions exist between the different generations of each player, with the older generation usually liking the Jordan era and vice versa with LeBron James. While the debate about who the greatest player of all time may never end, there are a few ways that the best can be determined; through looking at the player’s childhood to adulthood, statistics, and achievements on and off of the court, one can decide for themselves.

Over the past 50 years, the views on African American basketball players by society has dramatically changed. As African Americans have gained rights, athletes have continued to influence society. Since then, the influence these star players have had on society has become overwhelming. African American basketball players have gone from being quarantined from the league, to becoming children’s icons. African Americans players were forced to create their own leagues and teams in order to play professionally. As a result of this, the world famous Harlem Globetrotters were created. The Globetrotters still have a lasting impact on society up to this date. During the 1950s, when African Americans began to enter the NBA, white players feared they would be harmful to the league. In the 1970s, just after the ABA and NBA merger, the NBA nearly ended as a result of the lack of fan interest. White fans disliked the “black game” and emerging black stars. In just a ten year period, the views towards these dominant players completely changed, as players like Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan completely revolutionized the game. These stars forced the public to watch the games, and appreciate these players. In addition to transforming the league, the views towards African Americans by the rest of society changed as well as a result of these players. Along the way on this arduous journey, African Americans successfully transformed American culture and had an everlasting impact on society.

Empirically based, the writers begin the book by offering five practices of exemplary leadership: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act and Encourage the Heart (p. 14). In their

Stephen ‘Steve’ John Nash is a Canadian retired professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Steve played for a couple of different teams like the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers. Steve also participated in Canada basketball as a player from 1991-2007 and has currently been serving as the Men’s senior basketball general manager since 2012. Steve Nash is remembered as one of the greatest Canadian athletes ever, and the best for his respected sport. Steve was an amazing role model on and off the court, winning 2 NBA’S most valuable player awards and starting the ‘Steve Nash Foundation’. This foundation aims to help underprivileged kids by funding projects that provide services to children affected by poverty, illness, or abuse and create opportunity for education, exercise, and more. Lastly helping motivate young youth in Canada to become involved in basketball, along with other sports. Steve is an amazing Canadian for all of these accomplishments and contributions to not only the sports world but also the real world.

In 1994 in Rwanda, Doctorw without Borders supports the nation and fights a project against the biggest cholera epidemic in existence.

New York, New York- Walt Frazier is one of the greatest Knicks, and one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. He is the epitome of the overused word legend, expect in Frazier case he actually fits the description. Part of his legend is that he gives back to the city that made him into a household name. His annual basketball camp is held in the city which gives many youths a chance at running drills, and doing various cardio workouts with instruction from various coaches that ranges from the high school, college, and even pro level. Thousands of kids from across the city of all races flock to this camp to learn the game of basketball from one of the all time greats.

The following sections provide specific examples and are based on the five exemplary leadership practices as outlined by Kouzes and Posner: Challenge the Process, Inspire a Shared Vision, Model the Way, Encourage the Heart, and Enable Others to Act (13). In all of the instances subsequently noted, it is acknowledged that the examples should not be confined to any one of the categories. Shackleton?s practice of these strategies demonstrates that an effective leader blends all of the elements into a unified theme.

In a time of ruthless dictators, Jomo Kenyatta was one of the most influential and controversial leaders of his time. In 1947, Jomo Kenyatta was elected the leader of the Kenya African Union or KAU, a pro-independence rebel group. For the next three years, Jomo Kenyatta toured Kenya, campaigning for independence. In 1951, The Mau Mau Rebellion, a conflict between the Mau Mau protesters and the British Military began. In response, the British declared a state of emergency and banned the KAU. Jomo Kenyatta was arrested in October of the following year with charges of leading and being a member of the KAU and was imprisoned for nine years. Kenyatta was released from prison in 1959 and immediately began protesting and educating the people again. Kenyatta soon became a part of the Kenyan Legislative Council where he was elected to be the leader of the pro-independence KAU. On the Twelfth of December 1963, Kenyan independence was declared and Jomo Kenyatta was declared Prime Minister. The following June, the Constitution was signed and Kenya was declared a republic giving Jomo Kenyatta the title of President. The leadership of Jomo Kenyatta greatly impacted the

The purpose of this paper is to reflect and make an analysis of the general strengths and weaknesses of a leader, provide recommendations, thoughts of overall performance to improve on this person’s leadership style in which practices and theories were utilized most effectively. Upon such, draw conclusions and provide an integration of this leadership practice into my own leadership practice. The accomplishment of this will be achieved by identifying several key practices from published documents surrounding and encompassing the leader, and comparing them to known relative concepts for a holistic view of the approach.