Episode 6

Winning Culture with Coach K: Leadership Lessons on Building Teams and Champions

Published on: 5th November, 2025

Join us for an inspiring episode of Inside West Point: Ideas that Impact, featuring the legendary Coach Mike Krzyzewski, also known as Coach K. With an illustrious career spanning nearly five decades, Coach K shares insights from his time as the head coach at Duke University and the United States Military Academy. Discover his unparalleled achievements, including five national championships and three Olympic gold medals. Coach K discusses his leadership philosophies, the values instilled at West Point, and the importance of adaptability, character, and preparation in effective leadership. Don't miss this deep dive into the life and career of one of NCAA's most successful coaches.

00:00 Introduction to Coach Mike Krzyzewski

00:20 Coach K's Legendary Career Highlights

03:36 The Importance of Team and Family

04:28 West Point and Bobby Knight

07:32 Leadership Lessons and Values

12:42 The Role of Character in Leadership

16:44 Adapting to Change and Continuous Learning

23:53 Encouraging Innovation and Risk-Taking

25:28 Building a Team of Elite Athletes

26:27 Creating a Culture of Ownership

29:18 Managing Pressure in High-Stakes Environments

31:03 Learning from Wins and Losses

36:24 The Importance of Being Coachable

38:10 Rapid Fire Questions with Coach K

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Resources found in this episode:

Learn more:

• Website: https://www.westpoint.edu/academics

Interested in Teaching at West Point? Join us: https://bit.ly/TEACHWP

Books Mentioned in the Episode:

• Leading with the Heart: Coach K's Successful Strategies for Basketball, Business, and Life - by Mike Krzyzewski (Author), Donald T. Phillips (Author), Grant Hill (Contributor)

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• YouTube: https://bit.ly/INSIDEWP-YOUTUBE


Credits:

• Guest: Mike Krzyzewski: https://coachk.com/

• Host: Brigadier General Shane Reeves: (http://linkedin.com/in/shane-reeves-7950a31b3)

• Recording: West Point Public Affairs-Visual Information

• Production: Growth Network Podcasts: (https://growthnetworkpodcasts.com)

• Publisher: West Point Press (https://westpointpress.com)



This episode does not imply Federal endorsement.

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About the Podcast

Inside West Point: Ideas That Impact
Join Brigadier General Shane Reeves, Dean of the United States Military Academy at West Point, as he takes you behind the scenes to explore the applied research and cross-disciplinary work being done by the Academy's scholars.

From high-energy lasers and artificial intelligence to civil-military relations and ethics, this podcast goes beyond the textbook to give you a deeper understanding of the complex issues shaping the modern battlefield. Hear directly from the experts as they make even the most complex topics accessible to a broad audience. Get inside access to West Point's work and see how it's being applied today.

Tune in for upcoming episodes by following us on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on Instagram (@dean.usma), Facebook (Dean of the Academic Board-West Point), and Twitter (@DeanUSMA) for updates.

Learn more about West Point’s academic program at https://www.westpoint.edu/academics

Disclaimer: This podcast does not imply Federal endorsement.
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