To think better, Penn Professor Adam Grant advises "unlearn and rethink." In "Think Again," he challenges us to reconsider what we 'know' and to ask more and better questions.
For example, after the Eastern Conference Finals, a reporter asked Celtics Coach Joe Mazzulla if the team relied too much on three-point shooting. Without hesitation, he replied, "No." Perhaps a more nuanced answer would be, "after a disappointing loss, we will examine everything, how we coach, how we prepare, how we play."
Grant's work raises a lot of questions, such as "how do you know" and how we can think better individually, in groups, and as parents and teachers.
He provides a wonderful summary at the end with concrete ideas. Here are highlights from memory:
1. Think like a scientist (I suggest detective). Instead of arguing as a preacher, prosecutor, or politician, think objectively with hypotheses, experimentation (evidence) and derive conclusions.
2. Develop your identity from values not opinions. This reminds me of another book, James Clear's "Atomic Habits." Clear argues that habits become a vote for the person whom we want to become. A health conscious person develops behaviors of exercise, healthy eating, and adequate sleep. A better coach studies basketball and people, communication, and learns how best to teach her system.
3. Seek disconfirming evidence. Instead of confirmation bias where we solicit opinions and information proving established beliefs, study 'the other side of the trade'. That requires to listen to and consider material from those with whom we disagree. Our critics may have useful insight.
4. Set aside 'rethinking time'. Sometimes our lives go onto 'autopilot' and we forge ahead with tunnel vision of our path. That might work, but a broader view could help us make better decisions, especially in work-life balance.
5. Teach our children from a young age to think again. He specifically encourages us NOT to ask young people what they plan to become as they grow up. As I recall, Van Gogh meandered through a panoply of professions before becoming an artist. Regrettably for him, he sold only one painting during his lifetime.
6. Question how external pressures impact our decisions. In 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger launch was under tremendous pressure, especially following the State of the Union address promoting civilian space travel. Pressure to launch in cold weather resulted in tragedy as rubber O-ring seals lost their functional ability, brittle in temperatures in the thirties.
Coaches can be under pressure to win, to play high draft choices over proven veterans, or select players based on connections instead of ability.
7. The most successful forecasters are not the smartest or with the best access to information. They are most willing to update their predictions based on considering new information. You wouldn't necessarily 'bet the Derby favorite' if you had additional negative health information. Coaches need to update our thinking with new data.
8. Keep a rethinking scorecard. What have I rethought that helps me? In other words, recognizing being wrong makes me more correct. Eureka.
9. Celebrate rethinking as it often gets us closer to the truth.
Willingness to adjust decision-making in life and sports shouldn't be considered a bug but a feature. I highly recommend, "Think Again."
Lagniappe. "Horns Burn"
Loved this when I saw it in the Boston-Miami series. Denver using it tonight. Back cut x2. Quick touch pass from Jokić. #NBAFinals
— Coach Tony Miller (@tonywmiller) June 2, 2023
h/t @HalfCourtHoops pic.twitter.com/EwDoHK7KcU
