Brad Stevens is a great coach, admired and respected for developing winning teams year after year. His patience and never-give-up attitude will take him a long way as Coach of the Boston Celtics. - Larry Bird, Boston Celtics 1978-1992; President, Basketball Operations Indiana Pacers Coach Brad Stevens made Butler University the first team to make 2 consecutive finals of the NCAA basketball tournament without being seeded #1 or #2. Lead Like Butler is a must read for any college basketball fan. - Chris Coddington, Fellowship of Christian Athletes ...a must read for those who desire to win in life, as well as in the arena of competition. - Jim McCoy, KDOV-TV & KDOV-FM  What becomes quickly apparent is that the enduring ideas of humility, passion, teamwork, service, gratitude, and accountability prove applicable tenants in all aspects of life. - James M. Danko, President, Butler University Anyone who desires a more authentic pathway toward leadership and excellence will benefit from learning to “Lead Like Butler.” - Michael Coyner, bishop, Indiana Area of The United Methodist Church Butler's rise to the top wasn't a fluke. This is a must read for others wanting to achieve greatness. - Billy Shepherd, Butler University, Class of 1972, and Indiana's "Mr. Basketball-1968" Whether at work, at home, or even at play, the values of humility, passion, unity, service, thankfulness, and accountability can help you shape your group into a successful example for others. - Jamie Phillippe, Board of Trustees, Butler University, Class of 1973 Lead Like Butler is an important contribution to the canon of leadership literature on and off the hardwood. - Jennifer L. Bougher, Esq. Arent Fox, LLP (New York), member of Butler University Alumni Association Board of Directors Leadership principles from college basketball's favorite underdog Kent Millard is a Gratitude Coach for thousands of congregations in the Midwest and former senior pastor of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has served as a member of the leadership team for the Academy of Spiritual Formation program sponsored by the Upper Room. He lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. Lead Like Butler Six Principles for Values–Based Leaders By Kent Millard, Judith Cebula Abingdon Press Copyright © 2013 Abingdon Press All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-4267-4914-8 Contents Foreword by Brad Stevens, Introduction, 1. Humility, 2. Passion, 3. Unity, 4. Servanthood, 5. Thankfulness, 6. Accountability, Epilogue, Notes, CHAPTER 1 HUMILITY * * * You can accomplish anything in life, provided that you do not mind who gets the credit. —President Harry S. Truman Level five leaders demonstrate humility and a compelling modesty, shun public adulation, and are never boastful. —Jim Collins, Good to Great Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. —Paul of Tarsus (Phil. 2:3 NRSV) Happy are people who are humble, because they will inherit the earth. —Jesus (Matt. 5:5) Each summer the Butler University men's basketball team conducts a skills camp for elementary and junior high school students. At the camp, Coach Brad Stevens and his wife, Tracy, work in the cafeteria line on the first night, serving food to the young players and their parents who come through. On one occasion, a mother of a prospective student came through the line to receive her food. She looked intently at Coach Stevens and said, "I think I have seen you someplace before. Are you connected with the Butler basketball team?" Coach Stevens replied, "Yes, I am connected to the team." The woman replied, "Good! Maybe you can tell me more about Blue [the Butler bulldog mascot]. Will we get to see him at the camp?" Coach Stevens told her he also liked Blue but that Blue would not be at the camp. The woman said, "I just love that bulldog!" She walked off, never knowing that the head basketball coach and his wife had served her food and answered her questions. Brad later relayed this story to his team and reminded them not to think too highly of themselves. Some of their fans are more interested in the bulldog mascot than in the players on the team! No Task Is Too Unimportant Many head coaches simply show up at their basketball camps to say a few words of welcome. Coach Stevens and his wife put on an apron and serve. Their simple act speaks loudly to the Butler players and the young camp participants. When players see their head coach behind the counter serving food, they receive an important message: no task is too demeaning or unimportant when it makes a contribution to the well-being of others. The players who make it on the Butler basketball team have all been high school basketball stars and have received various awards for their outstanding athletic abilities. They often come to college with a fairly high opinion of their ability and talent. When players have a high opinion of their existing a