6 Lessons Hardship Can Teach Us About Leadership

6 Lessons the Los Angeles Lakers' Recent Hardship Can Teach Us About Leadership: Last week I wrote about what the NFL can teach corporations about diversity management. The sports theme got me thinking about the Los Angeles Lakers and how they provide one of the most unique leadership case studies in recent professional sports history. Touted as a pre-season favorite to represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals after acquiring Steve Nash and Dwight Howard in the off-season, the Lakers have embarrassed themselves and their fans by displaying poor leadership, resulting in a record of 18-25 (winning percentage of .419). Whether you are a Lakers fan or not, observe their recent catastrophic collapse and you will see lessons in leadership, team management and how the best laid plans can backfire.