Ask. Listen. Trust.

Trusting the team?

When you are the coach, it’s easy to get into a space when you think that everything you say and do is law.

I mean if I am being honest, I see where we are and where we need to go to. So my word has to stand for something. Right?

But here is the main point. We aren’t in the game.

“I know you want to slow the ball down when were are up. But all our boys know right now is how to push the ball.” My assistant coach shared with me.

Pushing the ball is moving quickly up the court. We played that game well, but I would see the turn overs, and our boys getting exhausted and think it was best to slow down when we were up. Only one problem… we didn’t really slow down the ball well. For some reason we got more turn overs slowing the ball down, and many times lost the lead.

I wanted the boys to learn to slow down.

But what was best?

Mid game we were up, and I thought about slowing the game down, but then I asked them, “How do you guys want to play? Do you want to slow down or keep going?”

It was unanimous.

Keep pushing.

So, we did.

What I began to see and realize was something that was beautiful. These guys played their game in a way that gave them confidence. At this time we didn’t have a strong point guard and I could see that it was easier for them to move the ball quickly, rather than try to “set up”.

It almost felt like the game was out of my hands, like I no longer had control. But the boys had confidence and… we were winning.

It’s easy to get offended. It’s easy to force everyone to do what you think they should do. It’s easier to say no and have it done your way and when it doesn’t work out, blame others rather than take responsibility.

But often times your team can see stuff on the court that you can’t see on the sidelines.

What if your team can see something you can’t? What if what has you 100% convinced is… well wrong…

Do you trust your team? Do you trust your colleagues? Or do you simply trust yourself and your perspective?

It’s time to start leaning into listening… and trusting.

Ask your team what advice they have. Ask your team if they sense the strategy is working. Ask your team if we are focusing on the right thing. Ask your team what they would do differently if they were you. Ask your team.

You will be surprised what you learn from them.

And once you listen.

Trust.

Trust that what they see has value and if applied could add value to the mission.

Remember at times it only takes one ingredient to take a recipe from good to great.

What you have is good.

But it’s time to be great.

What’s missing?

Ask.

Listen.

Trust.