The Curious Coach

Post by @adamgrant

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Invest time to learn about how people think. What can I learn from them? 

A tuna fisherman shared information about the fate of a tuna caught off Gloucester. The catch is usually broadcast to Japanese merchants who come and inspect the fish (core samples) and offer a price. 

From TheGreatCourses, "Economics," by Timothy Taylor

All of us make exchanges within the 'complex markets' for goods, labor, and financial capital...whether it's tuna or playing time. 

Key point 1. "Culture eats strategy for breakfast." MVB plays similarly today to how it played over two decades ago. It's not strategy that appeals to players, it's being part of a program, a process. Better programs develop better players and better players create better programs. It's the Papa John's, "better ingredients, better pizza" slogan. 

Key point 2. Exceptional coaches ask better questions and solve problems 'better' than others. For example, consider the "Labor Market," the coming and going of players. MVB hasn't lost a lot of top players to private schools because the combination of coaching, culture, and the 'volleyball experience' helps keep players 'home'. 

That's not to say that there haven't been losses but I'm not here to name names or promote other institutions. Mostly. 

Key point 3. Circumstances change, sometime daily. Like Celtics GM and former coach Brad Stevens, Coach Scott Celli asks, "what does my team need now?" A team may need rest, refocus on problem areas, or general fundamentals. "Every day is player development day."

Does that mean every player, friend, and family are happy? NO! That gets back to the Chuck Daly philosophy, "Every player wants 48 - 48 minutes, 48 shots, 48 million." And when players and other 'stakeholders' (family and friends) don't get their fill of minutes, role, and recognition there is unhappiness. 

There's 'competition' for a limited supply of athletes. In Watertown, field hockey attracts many of the top athletes. That's what 100 plus consecutive wins and a state championship 'mill' does. But Melrose has strong competition from other sports, yet produces year after year. It begins with the curiosity of the coach, building a program not a statue. 

Lagniappe. Ask yourselves. Why not?