Learning > Education
This can come off as a conflict of interest for coaches considering anyone outside the professional ranks works for higher education institutions. However, the core concept of the “Education” chapter revolves around the difference between having a passion for continual learning versus mandatory formal education. The author addresses a common misnomer for denigrating formal education enabling situations to stimulate students’ interests, conversations, and social networking. So the value of embracing traditional schooling or the college experience is not entirely dismissed.
“An entrepreneur who stops learning stops earning.” (98)
The quote above applies to coaches all the same. Arguably less about the persistent pursuit of learning new strategies or plays specific to the game, as opposed to sharpening the soft skills of leadership, program management, and overall system integration. Basketball teams are loosely analogous to running a business and the bottom-line is most profitable programs demonstrate a synergy of operations amongst all stakeholders (i.e. players, staff, administration, etc.).
The Power Of The People
Nothing ever accomplished happens alone, most noticeably in a team sport.
This chapter covers 3 core elements:
- Talent
- Fit
- Managing Expectations
“I may not be the best speaker or the most articulate, but I know how to put together the right people. And I don’t have to be the smartest person in the room all the time.” (114)
Gives a lot of Energy Bus (Jon Gordon) vibes where a program is only as strong as the personnel in the locker room, or maybe it’s You Win In The Locker Room First – either way, he writes a lot of books helpful for coaches.
Back to the people, an interesting take was the emphasis on managing expectations over trying to exert influence on the person. The way that I read this was fostering a culture of embracing individual identity, but being very clear of organization expectations.
Immediately thought of PickAndPop the other day referencing a strength of Brad Stevens coaching style:
The focus is on the action that transpired, not the person or personality involved.
Finish With A Quote From Finance
“A capital infusion by an investor can be a huge accomplishment and really propel your business to the stratosphere of success, but remember that it can also be pure hell.” (153)
Be cognizant of who is allowed in the circle of trust; in this case, boosters or investors of a program expecting something in return outside of the brand recognition. Every program has to play the game outside the game from a fundraising standpoint. Financial support should not influence program decisions, so consider the person, status, and motives of anyone looking to get inside the circle of trust.
Coach's Climb 
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