People need to feel seen, heard, and respected.
Coaching and politics overlap. The leader says he's the voice of the voiceless, but once your vote is tallied, you easily become ignored. Who speaks for the 12th guy?
If the 'star' player loves us and the twelfth guy hates us, we're doing it wrong. Many have said, "everyone is necessarily the hero of their own story." And like Walter Mitty, the twelfth guy envisions herself slaying dragons, planting the flag, scoring the winning basket.
Our best requires fewer errors. Reducing mistakes from the top to the bottom of the roster requires a change in strategic thinking.
Coaches and teammates find ways to message the whole team.
Red Auerbach had an arrangement with Bill Russell that he'd yell at Russell in practice sometimes to show that nobody was above the law.
In Teammates Matter, walk-on Alan Williams describes not getting a black and gold Wake Forest travel bag, because the equipment guy doesn't think he deserves one. Williams later finds a bag in his locker, gifted from the star player. Leaders make leaders. Attention is a gift.
I've shared numerous times how Dean Smith spread credit throughout the roster for victories, understanding star players always got the media focus.
Don't have a 'dog house'. You've seen it. Some coaches bury players, ostracizing or isolating them. Why? Perhaps they hope the player will quit in frustration or act out giving them an excuse to cut them. Does anyone think that's leadership?
Be inclusive in our approach. Don Yaegar writes in Great Teams:
Nick Saban brought The Process to Alabama in 2007. He didn't immediately transform the Crimson Tide as they went 7-6 his first season. But The Process led to a 12-2 season the following year and an undefeated National Championship next. The rest is history.
Bill Snyder took a Kansas program from rags to respectability with sixteen principles outlined in Bill Snyder: My Football Life and the Rest of the Story.1. Commitment — To common goals and to being successful.
2. Unselfishness — There is no ‘I’ in TEAM.
3. Unity — Come together as never before.
4. Improve — Every day… as a player, person, and student.
5. Be Tough — Mentally and physically.
6. Self-Discipline — Do it right, don’t accept less.
7. Great Effort
8. Enthusiasm
9. Eliminate Mistakes — Don’t beat yourself up.
10. Never Give Up — Never…never…never.
11. Don’t Accept Losing — If you do so one time it will be easy to do so for the rest of your life.
12. No Self-Limitations — Expect more of yourself.
13. Expect To Win — And truly believe we will.
14. Consistency — Your very, very best every time.
15. Leadership — Everyone can set an example.
16. Responsibility — You are responsible for your own performance.
Don Meyer had his five core principles, applying to everyone.
- Passion
- Unity
- Servant Leadership
- Humility
- Thankfulness (gratitude)
- Speak to her. Our message applies to everyone.
- Transparency, doesn't mean equal minutes, roles, and responsibilities.
- Everyone gets coaching.
- Everyone gets respect.
- Everyone models excellence. The 12th guy leads by punctuality, by playing hard, by starring in her role. She encourages teammates. She is not a distraction. She doesn't sulk.
Lagniappe. Love him or hate him, don't ignore Geno.
Lagniappe 2. Player development. Pay attention to footwork details. Keep adding to your bag.
Lagniappe 3. Keep grinding. Use time wisely. During the 1972 season, I never started a game. Once I literally was on the floor for the final seven seconds, ruining my three points/game average :) The next season, I started every game and played all thirty-six minutes in the sectional championship. Find ways to impact winning.