Thinking About Thinking

Problem solving and decision making are not random. Most successful people and organizations are process-driven, but the success of the endeavor is not just about having a process but addressing your needs via strategic thinking, planning, and execution.

Melrose has had an excellent process and results, and this is designed to stimulate thought.

Michael Mauboussin thinks about thinking and process and discusses his evaluation process in a video.

For coaches, the major options involve style of play (including concurrent teaching and drills), personnel (lineup selection and combinations), and motivational choices. For example, before one basketball game, I asked players to sign a pledge that they would play their best defense possession by possession. They did, but this approach is a one-time deal.

My observation is that championship contenders need three strong hitting options, and therefore developing those options becomes a core strategy. For basketball, I believe you need two core ballhandling options, two core rebounders, and three major scorers. As coaches, we develop our central philosophy, emphasize what we believe to be important, get players to 'buy into' that, and close the feedback loop by quizzing players about what our identity and process is.

This process translates well into everyday life, school, business, professions, and avocations. And an enormous part of coaching is preparing young people for productive lives.