Most Recent Writings
The Beauty of the Struggle: The Heat is Rising
This playoff version of the team has been through the fire. They have changed as a result of going through that fire. And they have emerged as a true contender.
LeBron's Advice to Young Teammates: Get Off Social Media
When it comes to controlling the things within our control, no place is better to tune out than what people are saying or doing on any social media platform. There are times when social media can be beneficial, but in the end primarily serves to distract us.
How Gregg Popovich Motivates NBA Players and Establishes Accountability on the Spurs
No leader deals with a more unique power dynamic than the coach of an NBA team filled with million dollar players. San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is one of the best coaches at handling this unique dynamic by using honest communication to establish accountability with all players - from superstars to bench-warmers.
James Harden’s Moment of Excellence
Many top athletes achieve more success and fulfillment when they focus on the "pursuit of excellence", focusing on daily goals instead of results, and ultimately creating achievements in conjunction with their athletic pursuits that give the journey true meaning.
Enter James Harden on Sunday, and why his performance hit me in such an emotional way.
Why Every Coach Needs to Create their ‘Philosophy Binder’
My portfolio binder has been evolving for the past two decades, and I’m even still adding to it with thoughts, experiences, articles and different materials I come across. Having one is obviously something I feel is very important for both developing your own coaching principles, as well as for having the ability to walk into an interview and sell yourself and your program.
Dawn Staley on Dealing with Players, Honest Communication, and the Value of Failure
Excellent insight into the coaching style that has helped South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley ascend to the top of the college basketball game.
No More “Best Player Available” in NFL Draft
The NFL draft is about team building, not collecting players. The best teams understand this and use their draft picks to create a more complete team, not simply adding players to the mix just because they were productive in college or are talented prospects.
Steve Kerr on How to Win Game 7s and Perform Under Pressure
The Warriors have built their legacy for a decade off of those moments. The mental approach and the readiness to be fully immersed in those moments of a critical game are what separated the Warriors in Game 7.
Tomlin, Belichick Value Familiarity in the Draft
Drafting NFL players that come from similar programs in terms of playing and coaching styles, while not guaranteeing success, reduces the uncertainty associated with drafting players because you are acquiring someone that already has familiarity with the requirements to be successful at the next level.
How Gregg Popovich Manages Powerful NBA Personalities
In no sport is the power dynamic more lopsided in favor of the players than in the NBA, where high-paid superstar players have the ability to influence major organizational decisions and can even usurp a coach’s authority should they decide they want a different voice in the locker room.
Ignoring the Noise with Kevin Durant and Chris Paul
Kevin Durant and Chris Paul gave some great perspective last week on dealing with the criticism that comes with success and understanding where most criticism comes from.
Jimmy Butler and the Ripple Effect of Intangibles
No player has displayed competitiveness in the NBA this decade quite like Jimmy Butler, where his intense desire to win and challenge those around him to meet his competitiveness has gotten him run out of Minnesota and Philadelphia. But the ‘trash’ of those organizations has been Miami’s treasure, with Butler being a perfect fit to match the intensity of his coach and the organization’s burning desire to win.
Jimmy Butler's competitiveness, ignoring the noise with Kevin Durant, and Gregg Popovich managing NBA personalities
The Highest Level Newsletter: Actionable insights and stories on coaching, leadership, culture, and teams
How a Culture of Character Fueled the Spurs’ Success under Gregg Popovich
While hall of fame players undoubtedly played huge roles in the Spurs’ success, it was a team culture built on character, and crafted by head coach Gregg Popovich, that served as the foundation for one of the greatest runs of winning in recent NBA and pro sports memory.
How Did Everyone Not See Dak Prescott?
How Did Everyone Not See Dak Prescott? It seems plain to see in hindsight that we should have known Prescott would be successful.
But that’s what makes for a great story! A player who had to earn his spot and continues to raise his status among the NFL's best.
How Anyone Can Build the Unshakable Confidence of Elite Performers
Author and former NFL coach Evan Burk outlines the 3 steps that anyone can take to harness the unbeatable confidence of elite athletes and performers.
Why Defining Your Core Values is Essential to Effective Leadership
Core values can easily be glossed over as an over-used buzzword in our current results-driven culture. But when you take a look at the top leaders in any industry, you see that they all lead with an authenticity that comes from a concrete understanding of what their core values are.
The Best Book I’ve Read On Overcoming Obstacles: Rereading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
But the best book on realizing one's dreams and going after what one wants in life no matter what challenges stand in the way that I've found is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, an incredible book I have re-read multiple times in my adult life.
3 Topics I Am Exploring In My Life Right Now
There are 3 topics I am actively thinking about and researching a lot these days:
Jalen Brunson and The Talent Paradox: Talent is essential to success, but success is not determined by talent
Teams focus so much on acquiring the most talented people that they lose sight of the intangibles that actually drive success in any highly competitive field. The humility to prepare. The commitment to continually improve. The confidence to perform in the most critical moments.