Dirk Nowitzki breaks down the secrets behind his leadership style: "Always set the tone through actions within the team"

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Dirk Nowitzki breaks down the secrets behind his leadership style: "Always set the tone through actions within the team" originally appeared on Basketball Network.
True leadership often speaks softly but commands respect. As leadership expert Simon Sinek puts it, "Leadership is not about being in charge. It's about taking care of those in your charge."
Few NBA figures embodied this better than Dirk Nowitzki, who led the Dallas Mavericks to their only NBA championship title with his quiet yet powerful leadership. In a recent interview on the German podcast "OMR," the 47-year-old reflected on what shaped his unique approach to leading a team.
Dirk defied the usual leader type
When you think of NBA leaders, loud, fiery personalities usually come to mind — players like Kevin Garnett, Rasheed Wallace or Metta Sandiford-Artest, who commanded the spotlight with raw intensity. For quieter players, stepping into that role can seem out of reach. Nowitzki, a former ninth overall pick, began his career wrestling with that very challenge.
When the seven-footer arrived on American soil in the late 1990s, he kept a low profile, rarely speaking up in the locker room and careful not to ruffle feathers. Leadership wasn't on his radar. Neither was the relentless glare of the spotlight.
Nowitzki, who retired in 2019, described himself as "naturally shy" and "modest." Adjusting to that early fame, media scrutiny, and cultural differences — especially language barriers — was a steep learning curve. Small comments could easily be misunderstood, leading to occasional public missteps.
But over time, Dirk grew into his role, staying true to himself and focusing on what mattered most: the game and his teammates.Calm but decisive
By 2002, Dirty had earned his first All-Star nod. His rise was undeniable, but with it came new expectations. The European basketball icon has often said how tough it was to handle that pressure on the court. But what about in the locker room? In Dallas, teammates started looking to him for direction. Leadership wasn't optional anymore.
Almost overnight, the iconic No. 41 had to embrace that role. The problem? As Dirk admitted, he wasn't wired like a traditional locker-room alpha.
"My style wasn't giving half-hour speeches. That was never my thing," the one-time champion with the Mavericks said.
That insight — paired with another — became crucial. Nowitzki knew forcing a leadership style that didn't fit would come off as "fake," and his fellow Mavs players would see right through it. So he led the only way that felt real to him.
"Lead by example — talk less, do more, take on more. Show up early for practice, put in extra work afterward. Play every game — sick, injured, didn't matter. Always set the tone through actions within the team. That was more my style," explained the 2007 MVP.
The 2011 NBA Finals gave fans a raw look at what type of leader the Mavs' superstar was made of. Fighting a fever and clearly under the weather, Nowitzki still dropped 29 in Game 5 — including the game-winner. No yelling, no speeches. Just action.
Still, there's a key takeaway. As Dirk put it in the interview, leadership isn't one-size-fits-all.
"Everyone has to figure out their own way," he advised.
For the former 14-time NBA All-Star, that meant showing up, pushing through pain, and letting his play do the talking.This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.