Legend has it that Kevin Durant rolls out of bed each morning asking, "how can I improve today?" If knowledge is power, then remaining a student is, too.
Students accept that instructors have more knowledge and experience. But teachers have reciprocity because we expand our boundaries (Circle of Competence) by studying old and new techniques to empower students.
In Ego Is the Enemy. Ryan Holiday reminds us that it's about "poise" not "pose." In a world of infinite information, we apply, we don't recite.
Simplify learning with the Zen concept Beginner's Mind. Sort out where we are with four questions from The Leadership Moment in our After Action Review.
- What went well?
- What went poorly?
- What can we do better next time?
- What are the enduring lessons?
For example, I watched a basketball game recently where both teams had skilled players who beat defenders off the dribble. This raised questions about how best to help (or employ zone defense) and the wisdom that "the help can never be beaten."
Another issue that arose was how to defeat the half court trap or the full court trap that morphs into a half court trap.
I'm not saying this is the best or only way but a way that worked for us.
Playing up includes older, more experienced players, more competitive club teams, or getting invitations to "elite camps" where players match skills with top players where a college coach can project your fit. Many schools have young women scrimmage part-time against a team of men.
Take a granular approach to a topic, like moving without the ball. Study players known for their 'off-ball skills' like Dwayne Wade or Rip Hamilton. Billy Donovan calls it "the 95" for what you do the 95% of the time without the ball.
Surround ourselves with professionals. Professional athletes have support systems to help them with athleticism, skill development, sports psychology, nutrition and more. John Calipari has a Personal Board of Directors with whom he meets periodically. Head coaches choose assistants with complementary skills. Doris Kearns Goodwin profiled Abraham Lincoln in Team of Rivals, where the President surrounded himself with Edward Bates (AG), Salmon Chase (Treasury), and William Seward (State) instead of political allies.
Mentors, present and past, envelope us during the Information Age. Books, videos, and the Internet transport coaches from around the world into our study. The wisdom of Dean Smith, Pete Newell, John Wooden, and Clair Bee are as available as Coaches K, Few, Auriemma, VanDerveer, or Staley. Their sharing depends mostly on our curiosity.
Being a permanent student reminds us of our limitations. We can't know everything and profess our openness to learn and grow. Mom used to say "the only place success comes before work is in the dictionary."
Summary:
- Maintain a Beginner's Mind
- Expand our Circle of Competence
- Ask key questions to review progress (After Action Review)
- Consider "plus, minus, even" especially Playing Up
- Take a granular (detailed) approach to problems.
- Surround ourselves with professionals.
- Invite mentors, past and present into our process.
- Permanent students check our ego and stay open to growth.
Lagniappe (something extra). "Strive to awaken."
Lagniappe 2.
The Moral Law. Heaven. Earth. The Commander. Method and discipline.