I'm pretty sure Greg Popovich is at least half Korean.
Either that, or the Spurs are an overseas division of Samsung or some other Korean conglomerate.
If you've been to Korea, or worked there, or done business with anyone from Korea, you've most likely participated in a huishik aka 회식 - literally an eating gathering. At the very least you've heard stories about them.
For many, these 'eating gatherings' are more negative than anything. Invasions of personal lives. Debauched drinking sessions; no more.
I can understand where people get those views from, but the after work eating gatherings are also much more.
Relationships are forged during huishiks. Respect is earned. Trade secrets are shared. Business deals are struck. Over time, and across many eating gatherings, you become family.
Almost to a tee, Popovich seems to operate like a Korean Team Leader with his team and staff.
I just read a super fascinating write up on Popovich and the Spurs' legendary dinners which are 100% identical with huishiks, sans the soju and bbq.
"Dinners help us have a better understanding of each individual person, which brings us closer to each other -- and, on the court, understand each other better," former Spurs guard Danny Green says.
On the road, the Spurs eat together, just like family.
Like Korean huishiks, Papovich huishiks have created avenues that have led to amazing business deals.
Many years ago Papovich had a group in from Argentina and, in his words, "I blew 'em away, and we wined 'em, we dined 'em. We gave them photo ops. We gave 'em everything they wanted. When a kid named Manu Ginobili came onto the scene, that's how we found out him, when nobody else knew about him."
Seating philosophy is something I'm always observing. What's the optimum group size? How many to a table such that lovely conversation will be kept? Papovich prefers six guests at a table. He thinks that number fosters diversity of conversation without folks breaking off into separate chats.
And of course not everyone who's invited to join Papovich huishiks actually likes them. Because, of course; you never ever gonna please everyone.
But like Korean huishiks, at least if you're "invited" to a Papovich huishik, you won't have to pay a cent.
"At the end of the night, Popovich picks up the tab -- always -- including for former Spurs who happen to be in the same restaurant, even if they're not in his group."
This was a great read about a particular form of leadership I have come to admire and appreciate greatly. Highly recommend it to anyone aspiring to be a leader themselves.