What makes us worthy? Don’t abuse people’s time. We do that by being late, unprepared, disengaged, and without message(s). We’re worthy when we inspire and teach and show compassion.
We’re worthy when we energize and stimulate partners to ask questions: how can I do this better or what truth is revealed? Nick Saban asks, “are you spending time or investing time?”
We can learn from people we admire and from our enemies. Maybe they’re right.
Work is worthy. Jay King quotes Brad Stevens, “you have to learn to enjoy the process. And you have to learn to really appreciate the daily work that you have to put in. And so, to be there early, to sleep well, to eat well, to get your training table work, to lift, to shoot, to put in extra time before you practice.”
Who has the power and how are they using it? Robert Greene has a fascinating podcast at Farnam Street, sharing his process and his research methods. He seeks understanding of human truths and motivations. “The more you say, the more likely you are to say something stupid.” He implies that continuous talking comes from insecurity. Leave parts of your experience to the imagination. Greene says our greatest strength is our ability to ask questions.
We’re worthy not because we’ve filled our cup but because we’ve shared from our cup or helped others fill theirs.
Deceiving others for our benefit makes us unworthy. Often, we won’t know all the facts before making decisions. I recently needed one of the Naval Academy big five answers - “I don’t know but I’ll find out, Sir.” Mentors, research, and time are our worthiness allies. I recently followed a case of unexplained fever. Time was the answer as the rash of Lyme Disease came late in the illness...with early testing negative.The other four? “Yes, Sir, No, Sir, Aye, Aye, Sir, and Right away, Sir.”
Worthy Truths emerge from careful biographies. Franklin practiced curiosity, industry, and frugality. Socrates said that the only thing he surely knew was ignorance. Napoleon’s calling card was the flanking maneuver. Don Meyer was an information curator and distributor. John Calipari finds talent. Dean Smith cared about change. Worthy coaches cultivate relationships with players, peers, and support staff from seniors to secretaries and janitors.
We’re worthy when we stay in our lane, our Circle of Competence. Grow the circle without treading upon others. That doesn’t mean that we can’t fight for practice time, resources, or facilities. Driving the bus doesn’t empower us to run players over.
Strive to be worthy.
Lagniappe:
Slip into a three from elevator action... https://twitter.com/coachliamflynn/status/1011906933811363840?s=21