"I'm a salesman." - Chuck Daly
Our players define us. We sell ourselves, add value, and nurture the program. We use hard conversations to make believers. We must live the now and envision the possibilities. Phil Jackson says, "The key to sustained success is to keep growing as a team. Winning is about moving into the unknown and creating something new."
Morse code (TTP...trust the process)
Include the batteries. Bring energy and energize the group every day. Energy begets energy. Low energy culture produces low energy people. We inform where our team lives on the flexibility and independence scale. Flexibility defines how people respond to change and independence informs their interaction. More independence increases more enjoyment and learning at the expense of less personal control.
We sell both our culture and our values. With young players we emphasize TIA - teamwork, improvement, and accountability. Share Don Meyer's PUSH-T values of passion, unity, servant leadership, humility, and thankfulness. Remember that "culture eats strategy for breakfast."
We sell our credibility through what we know and how we share. Steven M.R. Covey's diagram from The Speed of Trust blends character and competence. His ability and will to learn Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain's stunning victory at Little Round Top during the Battle of Gettysburg. A history professor won the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Consistent process combines the philosophical big picture and the granular detail of execution. The most inspirational leadership and strategy won't matter without the people and operations to execute it. Gregg Popovich reminds us that "technique beats tactics."
Where's the beef? Read, learn, teach, and give and get feedback. Great organizations have "performance-focused, feedback-rich" culture. Players know much less than we think they know, but listening to them helps us know their needs. Constantly add value.
The best 'pitchers' hone their communication skills. Rod Olson talks "speaking greatness." "That was good BUT you should do this" fails relative to "That was good AND you might try this." All coaches know the sandwich technique with critique between praise. Del Harris emphasized different levels of communication from conversation, teaching, correction, discipline, and go nuts.
The greatest salespeople in the world still need a worthy product.
Lagniappe:
"Fall in love with easy." We'll never make the pass we don't see. Young players struggle to see and execute the pitch ahead.