The Open-Door Policy

Greg Popovich has stepped down as the San Antonio Spurs' head coach after a legendary 29-season coaching career.

During that time, he won five NBA Championships, became the league's all-time wins leader, was coach of the year three times, led the U.S. to a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, and coached six Hall of Fame players.

In his first 22 seasons as head coach, they had a winning record every year.

Moving forward, the 76-year-old will remain with the franchise as the president of basketball operations.

One of my favorite stories involving Popovich happened years ago when a player on his team, LaMarcus Aldridge, was struggling. He wasn't clicking with the Spurs, and the team even tried to trade him in the offseason.

However, the trade didn't work out, and Aldridge decided to have a heart-to-heart conversation with his head coach over the summer.

With Popovich having an open-door policy for his players, Aldridge finally took him up on it. Apparently, they discussed his role with the team and why he was unhappy.

During training camp, Aldridge shared this conversation with ESPN: "It was me kind of being blunt about it and kind of forward. He was open to it. I kind of just spilled my heart about how I felt about how things were, and how things had been going.

"I think he was kind of caught off guard. I don't think he really had noticed [that I was unhappy]. But once I said it, he was great about listening, and it was good from there."

The open communication between him and Popovich allowed them to clear the air and move forward, and Aldridge signed a three-year extension with the Spurs.

This story points to the Spurs’ culture and demonstrates the value of an "open-door policy." It requires both a willingness to listen and initiate a conversation.

Not only in sports but in any relationship, having honest dialogue with the goal of reconciliation and resolution is essential. Once we bring our issues to light, instead of holding onto bitterness and frustration, we can work toward getting on the same page.

A transparent "heart-to-heart" conversation, filled with humility and forgiveness, allows relationships to mend and clarity to occur.

When we start talking with our spouse or a friend about the unspoken tension in the relationship, we realize the issues we thought we had were just misunderstandings.

When both sides are willing to work on the relationship by communicating openly, we can clear the air and move forward. We must take the first step and initiate a conversation when we sense problems that need to be worked through.

As followers of Jesus, we know how much we've been forgiven and shown grace, so we must show the same toward others. Also, if we see that we've hurt someone, reaching out, seeking reconciliation, and trying to make peace is crucial.

The Bible says in Matthew 5:23-24 (AMP), "So if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and while there you remember that your brother has something [such as a grievance or legitimate complaint] against you, leave your offering there at the altar and go. First, make peace with your brother, and then come and present your offering."

Today, let's have an "open-door policy" where honest communication, confession, forgiveness, and humility lead us into deeper, healthier relationships.

I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray You'll give me the strength and confidence to have open dialogue with people so I can live in peace with them. Please help me seek reconciliation in my broken relationships and clear the air with those I have tension with. Thank you for the grace You show me through Jesus. In His name, I pray, Amen.