“It is remarkable how much long-term advantage people like us have gotten by trying to be consistently not stupid, instead of trying to be very intelligent.” - Charlie Munger
Most people know Charlie Munger as Warren Buffett's partner. That understates his importance as a thinker over decades.
Restate his wisdom as "avoiding stupidity is easier than seeking brilliance." That applies to coaching and playing basketball.
1. Gather the facts.
Sometimes we choose poorly from a lack of information. Nobody knew that the assistant coach had a "character issue" at a prior school. A simple search detected the problem. "The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior." That doesn't mean second chances can't happen. But it doesn't oblige us to give eighth chances.
2. Don't be hasty unless you have to.
Lincoln wrote "hot letters" expressing anger or frustration. But he waited and held them, "Never sent. Never signed." Give emotions time to cool. Conversely, after Rosanne Barr's racist tweet, Disney CEO Bob Iger immediately sacked her. Learn to be patient and decisive. Don't cancel yourself.
3. "Measure a thousand times but cut only once." - Turkish Proverb
Is there a fit for us in an organization or culture? Why are we making this decision? Are we choosing money, status, or ego without thinking through the options? Find fit.
4. Consensus doesn't guarantee correctness.
GM CEO Alfred Sloan remarked, “If we are all in agreement on the decision — then I propose we postpone further discussion of this matter until our next meeting to give ourselves time to develop disagreement and perhaps gain some understanding of what the decision is all about.” Yes Men can go nowhere.
5. Stop making the same mistakes.
Einstein said, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." I've picked 13 players a few times and usually end up regretting it because of the playing time problems created.
6. We don't define the problem.
"What does our team need now?" We couldn't contain the ball or extend the defense without exposing our limitations, the military limfac (limiting factors). The coach's job is to maximize the process to get the best with what we have. Coach Wooden said, "Don't let what you can't do interfere with what you can." Our defense improved when we stopped pressing and played a hybrid defense to hide our weaknesses. "Where do our points arise?" And "where are we allowing points?"
7. We focus on optics (see link above).
9. "Don't beat ourselves."