You hear a player say, "I'd run through a wall for that guy." I want players to find solutions to get over the wall or around the wall.
Brett Steenbarger writes about differentiating yourself. What coaches inspired you, challenged you, made you feel wanted? They probably didn't do it by making you feel a lazy, unimportant slacker.
The operative word is FEEL. You can be the twelfth player on a team and be vital or a disrespected contributor. But your attitude, choices (work, preparation, support of teammates), and effort define.
Here are critical excerpts:
" uniqueness is expressed in two ways: by looking at new and different information and by assembling information in new and different ways. "
For example, when I kept statistics measuring effective screens, forced turnovers, charges taken, held balls (pro and con), shooting percentage (+3 to -3 per shot)...players who 'scored more' didn't always have as positive a contribution (missed shots matter) and 'non-scorers' often had bigger contributions. Total contribution (scoreboard) meant more than your numbers (score book).
" If you can't look at new possibilities and keep innovating, however, the successful invention will never follow."
I'm never going to be the 'best' coach...but that doesn't prevent me from being a better coach.
If I were a rational, prospective investor looking to back emerging talent, what could you show me that would convince me that you're truly doing something that is
different and promising?
Yes, excellence will not always be recognized in its time. But normally, high performance and the ability to take players where they cannot go by themselves is appreciated...by the players. Which master do we serve?