Sunday, June 29, 2025

What Is Your Vision of Excellence? *

*Adapted from my basketball blog

What motivates players? It varies by individual - minutes, role, recognition, starting position, winning, competition, excellence. Do we ask players what motivates them? 

Words change lives. After a loss to the twice-defending D1 State Champions, Coach Lane said, "you lost because you didn't believe in yourselves. The better team lost. We will not lose to them again." The beatdown raised us up. We won two rematches, including the sectionals.

What have you specifically told players that made a difference? 

"You're the best player I ever coached." 

"How you play is how you live your life." 

"I believe in you." 

"It's not enough to put in the time. Put in the work." 

What is your vision of excellence? 

  • Bill Walsh emphasized Standard of Performance across an organization
  • Kobe Bryant's Mamba Mentality informed relentless work
  • Abraham Lincoln and Gandhi both stand as agents of change
  • Dean Smith won championships and integrated college basketball
  • Anson Dorrance crafted a competitive cauldron leading to continual ascension making UNC Women's Soccer synonymous with excellence
Use mental models to help define excellence. Inversion of excellence would include surrounding ourselves with sycophants and "yes men." Catalysts spark change. An organization that is closed and inflexible dooms itself to stagnation at a current level. Feedback loops reinforce or correct performance after careful assessment. "Do more of what works and less of what doesn't." 

Summary: 
  • Be transformative not transactional. 
  • Understand the power of words. 
  • Establish a vision and culture of excellence
Lagniappe. If I worked that hard, what would my career look like? Kobe thread (click through).

 

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