The Sideline Seat

1 Mindset Shift. 1 Sideline Story. 3 Actionable Takeaways.

Sent every Tuesday to help you build a better team.

The Mindset Shift:

If your team’s commitment is only based on the size of the prize, you don't have a team culture. We need to shift away from only playing hard to win, to playing hard because we are the type of people who finish what we start.

Sideline Story: The NIT Opt Out

This week, several high-profile college basketball programs, including my beloved Hokies, declined invitations to the NIT (National Invitation Tournament). After being left out of "the big dance", the official NCAA Tournament field, these programs chose to end their seasons rather than compete in post-season.

Its a variety of reasons. One, the changing landscape of sports, the immediate opening of the transfer portal and the need to start recruiting. Two, the coaching carousel leaves programs in limbo. Three, the injuries that plagued them in-season don't need any further harm. By opting out, these teams essentially decided that if a National Championship was no longer on the table, there was no value in playing longer. For these teams, the season didn't end on the court, it ended with a meeting, a decision, and a press release.

I get it. The NIT is expensive. It feels like a participation trophy, a back up plan. But similar to the Football Bowl Season, these games aren't JUST about the games. Its also about the practices you gain, the processes you complete, and the message you send.

3 Actionable Takeaways:

1. Don’t Confuse Smaller Wins with Lack of Value

Just because you didn’t hit the primary goal doesn’t mean the remaining opportunities are worthless.

2. Short-Term focus kills Employee Culture

If a company only focuses on employees when a win is on the line, that can create a belief that their connection to the company is purely transactional.

3. Value the Journey, Not Just the Celebration

Some initiatives will fall short. Don't abandon the process just because of that. The team that keeps executing, will build habits, culture, and capability that compounds over time.