Classics become classic for reasons. They help us find and adopt ideas. What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith illustrates this.
At the top of any domain, people are smart, skilled, up to date with technology. What separates them is behaviors. The best communicate better and create better culture. He argues that instead of making "To Do" lists, make "To Stop" lists. I'll argue we need both.
Consider any great leader you admire. How are they different? I have specific coaches in mind. Sometimes they have other names such as Professor or CEO.
1. Find a mentor (such as Phog Allen) and become one (to many players). "Mentoring is the only shortcut to excellence." Mentors help us see and revise the world into a coherent version. He stopped doing what everyone else did and opened a slammed door, the Gordian Knot.
2. Surround yourself with great people. The great "coaching tree" arises from the quality of the tree and the disciples. Their ethos, insight, skill, and will separates them. If we coach great players, they're mostly great because of themselves, not us. Do not shrink from light shined by others. Bask in their light. When we make a hiring mistake, fire fast.
From Yahoo!Sports
This coach's tip, "get over yourself."
3. Be grateful. They know gratitude works. From Robert Townsend in Up the Organization, "Thanks is the cheapest form of compensation." It takes little to say 'thank you' but some people withhold thanks as though their lives depend on it. Thank the players, parents, assistants, custodians, and the fans. The stop? Don't discuss another player with a teammate's parent.
4. Share credit. In Give and Take, Adam Grant includes how failure to share credit rebounds to cast ourselves in darkness. If we succeed, people will see. Stop being a glory hog. The game is for the players. "If you build it..."
5. Have great habits. Learn the habit cycle and how to build better habits. Bad habits never make great results. Nick Saban's routine includes being in the office by 7:00 AM. He invests the time and work to get the most and the best from everyone in The Process. Read. Study. Watch video. Carve out thinking hours. Waste less time.
Key takeaways:
- Find a mentor and become one.
- Surround yourself with great people.
- Be grateful.
- Share credit.
- Have great habits.
There are no secrets. Get great players; get them to play hard. Read the whiteboard. #Possession enders.
