We Named our Dog Brunson. Here's Why...

Brunson Friedman

I’ve studied leadership for most of my career. I even wrote my graduate thesis on it. Every once in a while, leadership shows up in real time in a way that feels undeniable.

For me, that’s Jalen Brunson and this NY Knicks team winning their first championship in 53 years.

I’ve been a New York sports fan my entire life and my dad would have absolutely loved to see this moment. I always say the Knicks stand out because (not just during a championship title run), they unify the city as opposed to dividing it. No Yankees vs. Mets. No Jets vs. Giants. No Islanders vs. Rangers. When the Knicks win, it feels like the entire city celebrates at the same time (just check out the video footage of NYC from last Saturday night).

That’s rare.

My son Noah (now 24) has always loved basketball and is a die-hard Knicks fan (as is the rest of our family), and his four years at Villanova only deepened our appreciation for the culture that Coach Jay Wright built and the leadership values it represents. So when the "Nova Knicks" came together in New York, it made following this team even more meaningful. So much so that we even named our Cavapoo Brunson when he joined our family a year and a half ago.

But what I keep coming back to professionally is not just what the Knicks achieved—but how they did it.

Jalen Brunson is a master class in leadership.

Not because he demanded the spotlight, but because he never needed it.

What impresses me most about Jalen Brunson isn't just his talent, it's how he leads. He models the behaviors I talk about every day in my work with leaders. He walks his talk, puts the team ahead of himself, elevates those around him, and leads by example with hard work, heart, and consistency. He inspires a shared vision that winning is bigger than any one individual, empowers his teammates to step up when needed, and recognizes that leadership isn't about being the hero—it's about helping others succeed.

He even forfeited a $100 million+ in salary so that the Knicks could build a championship team.

To me, that's what exemplary leadership looks like, whether you're on a basketball court or in the boardroom.

I’ve also spent a lot of time studying Coach Jay Wright’s Villanova culture—accountability, humility, and the belief that teams win when individuals commit to something bigger than themselves. You can see that foundation in Brunson’s game and presence.

This Knicks team, in many ways, feels like a modern version of what great teams have always looked like: depth, trust, role clarity, and a shared standard. It reminded me of the 1996 Yankees where it wasn’t about one person carrying everything, but everyone knowing when their moment would come.

And then there’s Brunson in the moments that define championships. Steady, composed, unshaken when everything tightens.

That’s leadership under pressure.

As someone who coaches leaders every day, I often come back to this truth: people don’t follow talent alone. They follow consistency. They follow dedication. They follow credibility. They follow heart. They follow trust built over time.

Brunson didn’t just lead a team to a championship.

He modeled what it looks like to stay grounded when everything around you is anything but. And in a world that often rewards ego over execution, that’s worth paying attention to.

My dad would have loved this moment most of all. And I know my family will remember it for a long time too.

Thank you Knicks!

Janine Friedman, Owner and founder of Choice Training and Coaching Solutions, Inc. is a leadership and career performance coach and holds a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) designation from the International Coaching Federation as well certifications in The Leadership Challenge and Peak Performance/Flow Coaching.

She has spent her 25+ year career dedicated to unlocking the full potential of individuals and teams. She empowers leaders to navigate challenges with confidence and inspire teams to reach new heights.

Through personalized coaching and dynamic workshops, she equips leaders with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in today's ever-evolving business landscape.

To learn more about her background click here.    To schedule a 30-minute meeting to learn more about training or coaching for you or your team, click here.

Success is a Choice.