1. Making emotional decisions
- Responding to how you feel vs. what they need
- Bad shot, bad pass, bad defensive positioning: Keep negative reactions to a minimum because they are watching you
- Reaction substitutions: it is okay to be mad at a player. Just don't make a emotional substitution that can cost you the game
2. Inconsistency
- Saying one thing then doing another, or saying different things can damage a program
- Develop a culture and standards, and live by them
- Live up to clearly defined standards or don't define them
- It's not bad to make mistakes just explain them
3. Lack of communication
- Uncomfortable conversations are better than none
- Let others know what you want
- It's okay not to not always have all the answers. Don't be afraid to say "I don't know" while you figure them out.
- Must find a balance so everyone is on the page
4. Assuming
- Don't assume your staff knows what you want or need
- Some things may be bit "elementary" and players should know certain things at a certain level. Don't assume your players know things you have not taught (think back to the bad coaches/managers you've had)
- Don't assume, perform
5. Overlooking the good
- More times than not the smart, tough and SIMPLE get overlooked. When you expect you forget to appreciate.
- When things are going bad the focus is usually on the bad. Take a second everyday and look at the positives in your life and program.
6. Excuses for talent
- If it's not okay for a manager it shouldn't be okay for the star
- Does your 'best player' get the same consequences as the last guy on the bench
- Talent shouldn't affect the the culture
"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." John Maxwell