As basketball fans, we often undervalue the intangible keys to success, and perhaps the most critical forgotten aspect is having a well-run organization. Atlanta Journal-Construction recently recognized the Hawks organization by naming both the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena a 2025 Top Workplace.
Over 70,000 businesses were invited to the study organized by HR research company Energage. Top Workplaces were chosen based on confidential survey responses from employees. This isn't the only workplace award the two organizations have won in recent memory, earning USA TODAY's 2025 Top Workplace award and Front Office Sports's Best Employers in Sports for the third time in 2024.
While Atlanta has had a somewhat disappointing past few seasons, they stayed true to their process. They hired leaders like Quin Snyder and Onsi Saleh, who by all accounts are true stand-up guys. On the court, the Hawks believe that Trae Young has blossomed as a leader over his NBA career.
How character translates to success on the court
All of the league's great winners have said that the secret to success in the NBA is being able to sacrifice for the team's benefit. Bill Simmons and Isaiah Thomas call it "the secret." Phil Jackson said that "good teams become great ones when the members trust each other enough to surrender the Me for the We."
With just how talented the NBA is today, this concept has become even more pivotal. The Indiana Pacers were just one game from winning a title this year despite not being considered a title favorite even during the playoffs. They beat more talented teams who were armed with better star talent by embracing the concept of team basketball.
Humble, effective leadership is essential for getting an entire organization to surrender the me for the we, and the Hawks have elite leadership. It is a lot easier for players and staff to sacrifice, be it playing time, free time, stats, or even money, when they are being treated well.
No front office is perfect, and the Hawks have their fair share of mistakes that the organization would like to forget. However, the organization has done a remarkable job of creating a work environment that brings the most out of its staff, which will translate to success on the court.