In his book, Good to Great, Jim Collins describes leaders who take organizations from good --as ​ ​ in good enough-- to exceptionalHe calls them “Level 5” leaders: people who “build enduring greatness through a paradoxical combination of personal humility and professional will.” These people focus on exactly what’s necessary and throw themselves headfirst into their organization’s essential purpose. Over time, with much effort, the organization moves from good to great.

The NBA team wasn’t even good when took over. In 1996, his first year as general manager, the season’s original lost 15 of 18 games, so Popovich fired that coach and hired himself. Bad luck ensued.The Spurs’ star player broke his foot, and other stars got injured, too. Popovich eked out a 20-62 season. Not exactly the good start he’d hoped for.

But good-to-great isn’t about occasional good seasons. It’s about enduring greatness. “Coach Pop” saw the long game. He began recruiting players who weren’t necessarily superstars, but were honest, down-to-earth people (of course with genuine skills). Coach Pop wanted a true team: a group of hard-working, ego-free players who passed the ball, looked out for teammates, and won as one. This was his essential purpose.

And it didn’t start on the court. It started with dinner.

Coach Pop scheduled extravagant meals at top restaurants around the country. The feasts could last two to four hours, with wine flowing and food coming in multiple courses. He sat players strategically, so new people could get to know each other, or members could hash out conflict. He took time to give one-on-one encouragement. Teammates got to know each other as people, not just players. Many team members were from around the world: Manu Ginobili from Argentina, from France, from the Virgin Islands. They were all incredible people and players on their own, but as they dined and chatted, they became one unit. This is where the team was truly built.

The dinners weren’t just celebratory. Popovich also caled up restaurants to reserve tables even after awful blowout games. Even when the Spurs lost the NBA Championship to the , there was a meal awaiting them. Pop’s dinners weren’t a reward. They were a chance to say, “You matter. We’re in it together. Win or lose, we are a team.” The Spurs’ greatness wouldn’t be built overnight, but over many, many, many practices, games, and dinners.

Gregg Popovich has spent 22 straight seasons with the Spurs. Those 22 years have brought 5 NBA Championships, 22 straight playoff appearances, and a winning record in every season he’s coached --minus that first one

The Spurs aren’t known for their wins, though; they’re known for a level of team expertise that the league has never seen. Commentators consistently describe their teamwork and perfectly executed plays as “impossible,” “enchanting,” “genius.” (Watch this video to see it action.) ​ ​

This mastery isn’t an accident; this is the hard-earned result of expert leadership over many years, and a focus on people as people, not just players. Coach Popovich had the “personal humility and professional will” to treat his players to dinner even after a loss, because short-term loss didn’t phase him. To him, the real win was creating a team.

If you’d like, you can read the full story here. ​