“People are a power law.”
I tossed out a thread of questions on Twitter and got a great addition from my friend Darren (click either tweet to open thread):
As soon as I read the word trampoline, I knew where this post was going.
To power laws.
I love making connections between things that seem unrelated at first.
But let me assure you. I will connect power laws to trampolines.
Power Laws in Hiring
Sam Hinkie argues that the best candidate isn’t slightly better in terms of:
Cultural fit
EQ
IQ
Leadership ability
They are 10x-100x better than the 2nd best candidate. This is the power of the power law.
It can land you a game-changer.
Instead of taking a step up, you can take a trampoline to get to new heights, faster.
Enter the “Dan Coyle Question” again:
How can I develop my ability to be more like a trampoline?
Or, building on top:
How can I create a trampoline effect in every aspect of my coaching?
Instead of getting percentage points better, how can I help 10-100x more?
Trampoline yourself to the top of that power-law distribution curve. Let’s learn how you might go about acquiring more ‘bounce.’
How to Become A “Trampoline Coach”
Be Positive-Sum
In the world of coaching, there are only so many jobs. Therefore, when someone gets a job, someone else doesn’t get it. This is a zero-sum game.
But it also can be an even worse negative sum game because new players enter the job market every year, further stiffening competition for a finite number of jobs. Zero and negative-sum games aren’t great to play in.
If you want to coach, you have to play in them… or do you?
Choose to play differently and better.
Make the choice to answer yes to the following question.
Will I be a positive-sum player in this zero-sum game?
Like Jack Butcher says, “if you’re not competing, you can’t lose.”
Positive-sum players are still allowed to play in zero-sum games.
Will you hoard information or share it for others to build on top of?
Will you recommend a job to a friend even if you want it?
Will you share as much as you know about a topic or cherry-pick ideas that won’t give the colleague you are talking to an edge?
If you’re positive-sum you create a trampoline effect:
Sharing so others can build on top of your idea creates more possibilities
Expanding the recruiting pie for the GM creates more potential for that team to find “their best fit” not just the best fit in their immediate friend group
Sharing might help another coach get to where he is going, faster
Clone Yourself Online
Can you help 6 players on your team with a question they have about concepts from today’s video session?
Sure you can, but they all have to wait outside the office and wait for the player in front of them to leave.
Unless you had:
a newsletter article that could answer one player’s question
3 YouTube videos that 3 other players could watch
a podcast episode that answered the 5th player’s question.
The one player that did due diligence and couldn’t find any answers from your media catalog, calls you later that day and you talk through one problem instead of 6.
I’m not saying talk to your players less, but now instead of always talking hockey with them, you just opened up an hour of your day to chat with the other 5 about life, family, school, hardship, etc.
Creating media leverage online allows you to help and serve more people than you could in person. Trampoline effect.
Look for “Edge” Everywhere
When you don’t limit yourself to only finding answers inside of your sport, you’ll create a trampoline effect. Great ideas are everywhere and someone has solved your “super-specific problem” before. But you’re going to have to look for it outside.
Sometimes “deeper down the rabbit hole” is a losing game. It might be better to poll a “wider” audience.
Improve your Communication
My buddy Tanner says it best… Heck, he even coined his own law… And it’s gold.
A coach’s ability to communicate with players is more important than you think, even when you take into account Reklaitis’ Law.
As important as you think communication is… It’s more important than that.
That’s what I love about this law.
Communication is the vehicle that drives all coaching, teaching, and education we hope to impart to our athletes.
Communication is a craft none of us will ever master. But the more skillful you are, the greater your impact can be.
The better you communicate a message, the stronger the signal.
The stronger the signal, the faster the players can iterate.
The more iteration, the more compounding advantage is built.
Trampoline to the top of the curve.
How Else?
This list is probably far from complete. Build on top of it.
How else can coaches create trampoline effects?
Drop your thoughts in the comments.