What I Think: Coach To Win

Business can learn from what sport already knows: You need a coach to be successful

It was a pathetic demonstration of polarities—lackluster effort by adults and budding skill by youth. Adam skated circles around everyone on the rink. He would snag the puck, stick-handle it around many adversaries and consistently put it in the net. The greatest shame was that 11-year-old Adam and his 13-year-old sister alone challenged eight adults. His tiny team won without increasing their heartbeat. Gathering up our skates and our bruised and hyperventilating bodies, we begged to end the game. Then we headed into the house for refreshment suitable for the walloping we had received.

I have watched Adam’s skill and talent blossom from afar. And I have pondered the relationship between learning a skill and refining it to excellence.