Basketball, History, and Collaboration Stories

Collaboration means something different to each of us. Is it authentic partnership based upon openness, communication, and free flow of ideas? Or something less - hub and spokes or hierarchy where our word is law? 

Collaboration begins with our attitude, the mix of confidence (self-belief) and humility (full respect for the thoughts and lives of others, not just ours). 

Hire tough. Collaboration implies others. Assemble a worthy team. Fire fast (if incompetent). Lincoln's inability to remove General George McClellan early during the Civil War was almost his undoing.  McClellan's timidity led to defeats from lack of aggression. The Celtics had more talent last season but more collaboration early this season. It's not a "that guy" thing. Collaboration is anti-fragile. 

Collaboration demands active listening and intent to understand. Without either, no collaboration exists. The absence of either may appear via either verbal or non-verbal communication or both. During the Coal Strike of 1902, Teddy Roosevelt brought coal mine owners and miners to the White House to encourage a settlement. He used the power of the bully pulpit to force collaboration. Steve Kerr's willingness to listen to videographer Nick U'Ren substituted Andre Iguodala for Andrew Bogut and helped bring the Warriors a championship.

Set the tone. When there is no give and all take - frustration, bitterness, and anger follow. Inauthentic sharing shows virtue signaling, not virtue. In a fragmented society, everyone will not hear our message the same way. Get feedback, "what is your understanding?" 

Be consistent. Collaboration doesn't work on a 'when I feel like it" platform. Leaders 'share the wealth' and create new leaders. Remember Nassim Taleb's Silver Rule, "Do not do unto others as you would not have them do unto you." 

Credit the team. Collaboration means giving others credit while accepting responsibility when a plan fails. Nobody likes glory hounds and finger pointers. Shared accountability is a hard lesson. Jonas Salk's unwillingness to credit other scientists contributing to development of polio vaccine embittered much of the scientific community. Dean Smith made sure to credit non-stars who contributed to victory. Everyone likes appreciation. 

Make our word matter. Follow through. In The Best, Tina Turner sings, "Give me a lifetime of promises and a world of dreams." Make it happen.  

Lagniappe: Screens (off the ball). Worth your 10 minute investment. 



1. Take the proper angle. 
2. Communicate (intent to screen).
3. Sprint to screen.
4. Set up the cut. Wait for it. Better to be late than early. 
5. Headhunt (screen the body, not the space).
6. Read the defender at the level of the screen. 
7. Screener. "You are the second cutter."