March Madness is upon us, and the teams selected to compete this year got where they are with determination, practice, (some luck) and excellent leadership.

Sales teams often work and function much like a basketball team, and motivation from a supportive and knowledgeable leader can make all the difference in a team’s success.

Find inspiration and take advice from some of the most notable NCAA basketball coaches in history.

Mike Krzyzewski, known to his team warmly as Coach K, understood that successful teams value passion and bring out the best in each other.

Dean Smith spent 36 years as head coach of the Tar Heels, taking them to the NCAA 27 times, and securing the championship 3 times. He knew that the path to success meant letting your team make mistakes so they can grow and learn from them.

Bob Knight infamously threw temper tantrums, abuse--even chairs--at his players during his 30-year tenure at Indiana -- not exactly what you want in a leader! However, his advice here is remarkably zen-like in it’s simplicity, considering his reputation: Don’t just want the sale--prepare for it.

John Wooden holds the honor of being one of the most successful college basketball coaches ever, boasting twelve appearances in the Final Four and winning 10 of those times. He constantly strived for improvement, not perfection, and expected his team to give their all.

Jim Valvano led North Carolina State to a narrow, two-point victory at the buzzer, against very slim odds. “Jimmy V” demonstrated that you can’t let past failures dictate your team’s future.

Excellent advice from Rick Pitino, aka Slick Rick, who’s coaching skills lead three different schools—Providence, Kentucky and Louisville—to the Final Four, proving that excellence and self-improvement yield success no matter where your career takes you.

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