Inversion - What Would Happen If We Did the Opposite?

German mathematician Carl Jacobi preached, "invert, always, invert." Think another way. Choose to invest time not spend it. Choose to be more not less efficient. Choose to do whatever it takes not whatever you want. 

Ask 'what if' regularly and be prepared to "think again" to change your mind if your first impression or core belief doesn't stand up to scrutiny. 

Here's a wonderful article about the mental model of inversion. 

Highlights:

Putting the same questions through inversion model will require us to answer:

• What events, behaviour or action can prevent me from solving this problem?
• What events, behaviour or action can prevent me from achieving this outcome?
• What gaps in strategy or process can stop me to get where I want to be?
• How can I fail in this project?

Some call this a 'premortem examination'. For example, what controllable factors could lead to a disappointing season? To a degree you can't control injuries and illness. But you control choices (behaviors like maturity and rule following) and actions (player development to create depth). 

When trying to achieve something, follow these steps to apply the great mental model of inversion and establish higher confidence in achieving your results:

1. Write down your intuitive question
2. Now ask the opposite of that question 
3. Go deep in understanding what can cause the opposite to be true and prevent you from achieving your goal
4. Ask others to contribute to your thoughts and validate your assumptions
5. Put together a strategy and action plan in place that avoids all causes of failure that you just learnt 

As an 'outsider' I can ask of any program:

• What are your strengths? How could it become a weakness? 
• Where can you improve? 
• Where is your depth? 
• If lacking in an area, what is your player development strategy?
• How are you going to beat 'excellent teams'?
• What keeps you awake at night? 

Examples. During an intrasquad scrimmage, imagine that your top two back row players collide and have to come out. Replace them and play out the set. Imagine that your top setter breaks a shoelace and has to change it out. Physically go through the exercise. That also suggests that players should have 'reserve' equipment like shoelaces.