Mike Krzyzewski: On behalf of our Duke community, we want to thank you...

There are five fundamental qualities that make every team great: communication, trust, collective responsibility, caring and pride. I like to think of each as a separate finger on the fist. Any one individually is important. But all of them together are unbeatable

Mike Krzyzewski

volleyball communication team

Only the mediocre are always at their best. If your standards are low, it is easy to meet those standards every single day, every single year. But if your standard is to be the best, there will be days when you fall short of that goal. It is okay to not win every game. The only problem would be if you allow a loss or a failure to change your standards. Keep your standards intact, keep the bar set high, and continue to try your very best every day to meet those standards. If you do that, you can always be proud of the work that you do.

Mike Krzyzewski

Only the mediocre are always at their best. If your standards are low, it is easy to meet those standards every single day, every single year. But if your standard is to be the best, there will be days when you fall short of that goal. It is okay to not win every game. The only problem would be if you allow a loss or a failure to change your standards. Keep your standards intact, keep the bar set high, and continue to try your very best every day to meet those standards. If you do that, you can always be proud of the work that you do.

Mike Krzyzewski

winning loss fall

Champions play as they practice. Create a consistency of excellence in all your habits.

Mike Krzyzewski

nba basketball practice

In order to be a winner, you have to look for ways of getting things done and not for reasons why things can’t be done. People who live with excuses have things that can’t be done hovering around them all the time.

Mike Krzyzewski

hovering order people

A leader is someone who puts their people in position to be successful all the time

Mike Krzyzewski

leader successful people

My hunger is not for success, it is for excellence. Because when you attain excellence, success just naturally follows.

Mike Krzyzewski

hunger excellence

In all forms of leadership, whether you are a coach, a CEO, or a parent, there are four words that, when said, can bring out the best in your team, your employees, and your family. I BELIEVE IN YOU. Those four words can mean the difference between a fear of failure and the courage to try.

Mike Krzyzewski

team mean believe

The only way you're going to grow is to be in difficult situations.

Mike Krzyzewski

difficult-situations grows way

You develop a team to achieve what one person cannot accomplish alone. All of us alone are weaker, by far, than if all of us are together.

Mike Krzyzewski

achieve team together

You don't just be a team. You become a team. Through tough games you find that you need each other

Mike Krzyzewski

nba team basketball

Never let a person's weakness get in the way of their strength.

Mike Krzyzewski

weakness persons way

Imagination has a great deal to do with winning.

Mike Krzyzewski

basketball imagination winning

When you are passionate, you always have your destination in sight and you are not distracted by obstacles. Because you love what you are pursuing, things like rejection and setbacks will not hinder you in your pursuit. You believe that nothing can stop you!

Mike Krzyzewski

basketball sight believe

A basketball team is like the five fingers on your hand. If you can get them all together, you have a fist. That's how I want you to play.

Mike Krzyzewski

team basketball hands

I'm looking for players who make their teammates better. You do that with enthusiasm and passion.

Mike Krzyzewski

passion basketball player

Effective teamwork begins and ends with communication

Mike Krzyzewski

volleyball communication teamwork

Effort is fully replenishable. There is no need to save any of it. Leave every bit you have on the playing field

Mike Krzyzewski

nba effort basketball

The thing I loved the most - and still love the most about teaching - is that you can connect with an individual or a group, and see that individual or group exceed their limits.

Mike Krzyzewski

basketball teaching teacher

With accomplishments comes confidence and with confidence comes belief. It has to be in that order.

Mike Krzyzewski

accomplishment basketball order

On behalf of our Duke community, we want to thank you for serving our country over these last two terms, you've been an amazing leader for our country. And it's not just you, but your family and the sacrifices. So thank you very much for your service.