THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE
"My hunger is not for success, it is for excellence. When you attain excellence, success just naturally follows."
THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE
"My hunger is not for success, it is for excellence. When you attain excellence, success just naturally follows."
MIKE KRZYZEWSKI
In 1994, a chance meeting with champion boxer, Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, changed the trajectory of my life. And, just like a true hurricane, visceral and intense, his words were pointed and resonant. His note to me served as daily inspiration steering me on course.
Through Rubin, I learned to “transcend places (and thoughts) that hold us” back.
I call the path that followed: RESILIENCE.
PATH:
PATH 1
RESILIENCE
RESILIENCE
There are many paths—all leading to the same destination.
For some, the journey is an evenly paved road with very few detours. For others, the opposite holds true.
My path has been anything but straight. Roadblocks, construction, a few flat tires, outdated maps and even engine troubles, all threatened to derail my journey in its early years. Yet, the constants were the resilience of my enthusiasm, the consistency of my hustle, the intense focus of my attention.
Adversity reveals character
As an athlete, I twice faced having to walk-on to the university’s basketball team. And, in both my freshman and sophomore year, I was the last cut. Undeterred, I went on to become the starting point guard and team captain by my junior year, helping lead the team to a top-10 national ranking.
In 1999, I applied for an internship with the WNBA Detroit Shock. I was turned down. All positions had been filled.
I persisted. Less than a year later, I was recognized as the franchise’s Rookie Of The Year and awarded the “Unsung Hero Award” for outstanding contribution to the franchise.
As an athlete, I twice faced having to walk-on to the university’s basketball team. And, in both my freshman and sophomore year, I was the last cut. Undeterred, I went on to become the starting point guard and team captain by my junior year, helping lead the team to a top-10 national ranking.
In 1999, I applied for an internship with the WNBA Detroit Shock. I was turned down. All positions had been filled.
I persisted. Less than a year later, I was recognized as the franchise’s Rookie Of The Year and awarded the “Unsung Hero Award” for outstanding contribution to the franchise.
Not long after, I applied for a position as a provincial assistant coach with Canada Basketball. I was told that I wasn’t qualified. Four years later, I was the program’s Head Coach; and two years after that was asked to lead the program nationally.
IT’S NOT THE WHAT, IT’S THE HOW — It’s been said that “every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it.” Anchored to that, my approach is to autograph my work with excellence.
To me, it’s not what I know that has been my point of differentiation. It’s how I think.
PATH:
PATH 2
DIFFERENTIATION
DIFFERENTIATION
"...(Sefu) you set the benchmark for basketball development programs. Thank you for exemplifying our vision and values."
"...(Sefu) you set the benchmark for basketball development programs. Thank you for exemplifying our vision and values."
LAWRENCE M. TANENBAUM
CHAIRMAN, MAPLE LEAF SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment is home to the NBA's Toronto Raptors and NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, is regarded worldwide as a best-in-class sports organization.
THE CHALLENGE: Finding a way to stand out from one’s peers – and excel – is no small feat. It requires a relentless work ethic and a willingness to take the path where there are no time-outs or substitutions.
MY SOLUTION: Take personal responsibility for making sure my contribution was greater than my reward and making my performance greater than my applause.
THE RESULT: Twice recognized by peers and senior management with company-wide awards while also being afforded
more senior positions.
PATH:
PATH 3
PERFORMANCE
PERFORMANCE
FROM SPAIN TO SERBIA, INDIA TO VIETNAM, CANADA TO ARGENTINA,
A UNIQUE WORLDVIEW SHAPES & INFORMS BOTH MY BUSINESS AND BASKETBALL POINT OF VIEW.
Give it to me up top: High 
...!About Showcase In Pursuit of Excellence