"The Price of Admission Is Contributing"

All opinions expressed in the blog are solely my own. This blog is not an official publication of any City of Melrose institution. 

"Learn before you lead." - General Stan McChrystal

General Stan McChrystal, author of Team of Teams, informs an abundance of leadership principles in his books and in his MasterClass.

He shares that as a West Point cadet, his early academic career was less than stellar. He turned it around after an advisor told him that the skills of an Army officer and cadet are not the same. 

Studies of flag rank (senior) military officers have shown them to be in the top five percent across the board except in one area - flexibility. General McChrystal is an exception, understanding flexibility, although without sacrificing character or integrity. 

Priority One

"The price of admission is contributing." By opening up daily calls to more stakeholders in Iraq, they increased collaboration and efficacy. They "cross-populated" groups with a specialist from another organization to improve communication and collaboration. 

MVB application. All play is integrated. Blockers make the back row more effective. Coverage helps respond during offensive attack. Setters and especially liberos create better attacks, especially "out of system." 

Priority Two

Speed, collaboration, and adaptability are essential in the military, business, and sport. Out-of-date information rapidly loses meaning. The quality of information and how it is shared and applied helps define success. 

MVB application. Identify early what opponents want to do. Do they emphasize the short game (tips) or power (outside or inside)? Wakefield attacked the deep corners last season. 

Priority Three

Leverage people, process, and communication. Failed communication is "siloed." There's a fallacy to the "need to know" principle. Everyone has to understand the plan and its implementation. 

MVB application. Defenders should know 'attack fundamentals' to read and derive clues about the type and location of attack. 

Summary (less is more)

• Contribute
• Collaborate
• Communicate in real-time 

Lagniappe. Don't settle for less. 

Don’t settle. #DailyWisdom pic.twitter.com/CC3Rktb3IX

— Ball is Psych (@BallisPsych) November 27, 2025