We all want our players to improve, our teams to grow. How?
1. What inspires? What drives us? In Drive, Dan Pink describes three dimensions - autonomy, mastery, and purpose. "In a moment of youthful indiscretion, I went to law school." Our choices define us. Players define themselves.
2. What's their 'why'? When we tap into someone's desire, incentives do not necessarily speed the process. "Contingent motivators" often don't work. "If you practice more, you'll make the club." The carrot and stick approach fails too often.
3. Find your better version. Autonomy (self-determination) demands creativity on the path higher. How do we help players find their unique process and solutions? It's not the drill but the will leading to skill.
4. "Better ingredients, better pizza." We restate Papa John as better routine, better habits lead to higher performance. Routine can't be ordinary.
5. We can lead the horse to water...great players need two out of three among size, athleticism, and skill. Size? We're blessed with it or not...but there's Isaiah Thomas. If you want to become IT, what's your process? If "A" is important, then you must work "B". The secret is intrinsic drive.
You don't become Yo-Yo Ma looking at the cello or Bobby Fischer watching a chessboard. Real players connect the dots.
