Mike Krzyzewski, multi-gold medal and NCAA championship coach known worldwide as Coach K, took the stage at the 2025 Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) Tuesday to share leadership philosophies that have shaped his teams and led to success in his keynote address.

“A good leader is sometimes perceived to be someone who can solve problems,” said Coach K. “Great leaders avoid a lot of problems.” 

Outlining his four A’s of leadership—agility, adaptability, accountability, and attitude—he encouraged the credit union leaders in the audience to focus on solutions when things happen, not excuses. He marveled at the credit union industry’s “why” and encouraged credit union leaders to remain adaptable amidst the changing environment—especially the environment in Washington, D.C. “For those more than 100 million people you serve… (you) are the source of strength for them. Your ‘why’ is amazing.”

He shared stories from his time coaching the USA Basketball Men’s Olympic Team, highlighting his two main standards as a coach are often for teammates to look each other in the eye when they speak and always tell each other the truth.

Following his remarks, he sat down with GAC emcee Mia Perez to answer several questions about his inspiration and leadership focus and ended the session by telling attendees to “not stay in their lane.”

“I could only learn so much in my lane,” he said, recounting instances where he left ‘his lane’ as coach and pursued additional projects throughout his career. “I would bring those lessons back to my lane. Before you know it, instead of being a one-lane road, you’re a two-lane road, and eventually a super-highway.”