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More and more, I see the relationship between good business practice and good coaching. Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh's new book, Delivering Happiness, came out this week. In it he talks about how doing good business is good for business. John Wooden's passing reminded me that Hsieh's business philosophy can apply to athletics too. Coach Wooden was the epitomy of this. He never talked about winning. He only talked about process, preparation, character and moral condition. Similarly, I read an interview in Entrepreneur Magazine recently with Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia. His radically "good" business practices have brought him untold success.
What is your coaching philosophy? What is the mission of your organization? Is it winning? Is it money? Is it the process? Is it performing at your maximum potential? Are you doing good?
Hsieh's book is a great read and inspiring story. Buy it here.
Riot is, no doubt, a unique business. People often ask me how I came up with the idea. The answer is through educating myself in the best practices of successful businesses and learning how they are implemented in sport and other such organizations. The ideas flow through my head daily and I absolutely love it! There are 3 books that I suggest every business owner, coach or non-profit leader read. Remember, your organization is a small business. The E-Myth: This will teach you first, why it is important to implement replicable and profitable systems("profit" is success to you- however you define it). Then how to develop, document and implement systems. The idea is to free up your time to do what you want to do instead of what are stuck having to do. How to Win Friends and Influence People: This book has been in print since 1936. Yes, 1936. And you'll find it at just about every bookstore in America today because it is that important. If you have to deal with people- and you do- then this is a must read. Must, must, must. It will change your life like no other book will and it will make you more successful. The Four-Hour Work Week: This book is candy for the soul of anyone who wants to free up more time and do what they love for a living. It will inspire you to look for effective ways to delegate tasks and get more done in less time so that you can spend your time doing what you enjoy. Riot is all about creating systems to make your program create a following. And, of course, start a Riot!
I recently talked about the C-Myth as it relates to the popular book called The E-Myth. The "E" in E-Myth stands for entrepreneurial. The entrepreneurial myth is the idea that just because you can install a hardwood floor doesn't mean you can run a successful flooring business. Similarly, just because you can teach a single-leg takedown or 1-3-1 basketball defense does not mean that you can run a successful program or summer camp. This is the C-Myth- the coaching myth. Coaches can take a simple page out of the business playbook. Successful businesses are run by replicable and profitable systems. If something is not working then the problem is with the system, not the person. If your athletes are not performing, your fundraising is not working, your recruiting not successful and your assistant coaches not being accountable then maybe, just maybe the problem is with your system- or lack thereof. Do you have a system through which you do something? Then write it down, fine-tune it and put it in motion. When you see a problem then you tweak your system, document the changes and re-implement. Remember: problems are opportunities for improvement. If you take this simple advice then your organization will flourish.
The NCAA seems to be more about money than opportunity. I'm well aware that opportunity comes from money but I feel that the business model is broken. There is waste is some sports and dire need in others. If it is about opportunity then change needs to happen.
