Patience, Process, Vision — and the Power of Strategic Discipline

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On July 25, 2019, Sam Presti — Executive President and General Manager of the Oklahoma City Thunder — did something few executives do in times of great transition. He paused. He reflected. And he wrote directly to the people he served.

His op-ed, Looking Back, Thinking Forward, published in The Oklahoman, the state’s largest daily newspaper, wasn’t just a note to fans and stakeholders. It was a roadmap. A transparent, vulnerable, and courageous expression of leadership during a time when the Thunder had just parted ways with two franchise cornerstones: Russell Westbrook and Paul George.

For a small-market team like Oklahoma City, sports are more than entertainment. They’re shared memory. A source of civic identity. And Presti understood the magnitude of what this moment meant for the organization and community. He didn’t have to say anything. But leaders with vision and integrity often speak when they don’t have to — and rarely when it’s convenient.

In his letter, Presti didn’t just look back. He charted a course forward:

“In saying goodbye to the past, we have begun to chart our future. The next great Thunder team is out there somewhere, but it will take time to seize and discipline to ultimately sustain.”

He emphasized that building and sustaining greatness is not about shortcuts. It’s not about hype. It’s about method. It’s about being strategic when pressure urges you to be reactive. It’s about patience when everything in your environment screams for speed.

"To build true excellence in any industry, and then sustain it, requires trading on time and playing the empirical odds. This will require strategic discipline and thoughtful patience...That’s how longevity is earned. It is important to remember that."

Fast forward to today — six years later — OKC finished an NBA-best 68-14, and the Thunder are knocking on the door of a return to the NBA Finals. Behind the play and leadership of newly crowned MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a gritty, disciplined, and connected roster has emerged. The team, one of the NBA’s youngest, has not only found its rhythm and identity — it has rekindled the soul of a city.

This didn’t happen overnight. It didn’t happen because of one press release or one lucky break. It happened because a leader had the courage to make difficult decisions, tell the truth, invite others into the long game, and commit to the process even when the scoreboard showed a loss.

And there’s a deeper leadership lesson here.

As leaders, we don’t always know how the journey will unfold. We face decisions that are unpopular, uncertain, and often misunderstood all the time. But if we lead with a clear vision, a shared purpose, and a roadmap that others can believe in and take ownership of — we ignite something far greater than performance.

We create belief. We create buy-in. We create belonging.

And when those elements align, a team doesn’t just succeed — it resonates. It becomes a force that energizes people, unites a community, and creates a legacy built on more than just wins and losses.

So whether you’re leading a team, a company, a classroom, or a family — ask yourself:

• Do I have the courage to tell the truth during transitions?

• Can I cast a vision and invite others into it — even if it takes years to bear fruit?

• Am I building something that can sustain without me?

Sam Presti, who was recently named the 2024-25 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year, made the hard decisions with courage, humility, and grace — and stayed true to the vision.

No matter how the rest of the season plays out, the Oklahoma City Thunder and its city are witnessing the power of disciplined, long-term leadership unfold — one step, one season, and one story at a time.

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