Coaching is teaching, adding value. The word "lagniappe" means something extra. Some track its usage to Mark Twain's Life on the Mississippi. He wrote, "It is the equivalent of the thirteenth roll in a ‘baker's dozen.’ It is something thrown in, gratis, for good measure."
Lagniappe might represent "superior service." The restaurant server who knows your name, the driver who offered clients coffee, or the car salesman who sends holiday cards offers lagniappe.
Coaches and players can both give lagniappe. Intangibles matter...kind words, "you're making progress", "I can see a difference", or the most powerful "I believe in you." Players share lagniappe when they run extra sprints, watch more film, or spend more time in the gym.
What have we seen coaches do that's 'more'? Don Meyer kept notebooks of new basketball knowledge, general knowledge, and a third notebook of appreciation for his wife (which he presented to her annually). He answered email at his website, usually within a day.
What do we do for others and ourselves? In medical practice, I encounter patients who are struggling at home or at work. I don't tell them what to do as much as ask them what can they do TODAY to improve their situation or move them toward their five or ten-year goal. Steve Forbes reads at least fifty pages a day. Tim Ferriss and other successful people often meditate and have an exercise program.
What can we do?
- Give more consistently. Brad Stevens complimented Ronald Nored, “He’s the best leader and giver I’ve ever been around.” Nored says, “It’s about how much we’re willing to sacrifice for the betterment of the players.”
- Improve our habits - diet, exercise, and rest.
- Teach players how to improve their habits and discipline themselves.
Lagniappe:
A couple of old Celtics' BOBs.
