Two Root Beers and a Puppy

Yesterday I learned about the "2 beers and a puppy" test as a quick way to evaluate trust in relationships and I think it's pretty great. pic.twitter.com/OfjhNnbeZ2

— Taylor Poindexter (@engineering_bae) May 13, 2021

*As a qualifier, I drink almost never, FWIW.  

An older Bill Belichick said that he wanted to coach players that he wanted to coach. He was done with 'head cases' and uncommitted players. A professional wished only to coach professionals. 

Seek character and competence in relationships to reduce disappointment. It's the same in every business. In medicine, toxic masculinity dominated for decades. In business, the expression "greed is good" became classic. In politics and sports expansive ego is everywhere. "The bigger talent, the greater the insecurity." 

"2 beers and a puppy" tests collegiality and trust. Do we have to be "the smartest guy in the room" or the "loudest guy" and the "neediest guy?" Can we be trusted a puppy or someone's spouse, sibling, or child? 

In his book Gridiron Genius, Mike Lombardi shared that he had contacts at Southeastern Conference sororities to get inside information about the character of football stars. Bad reports could sink a star's prospects. 

Whom do you want on your team, "and" or "but..." Don't give anybody a reason to say "but."