Note: If you are a manager in charge of getting a team to goal, this article can help you do both better (i.e. be a better manager and get 2 goal).  If you are aren’t a manager, but getting 2 goal is important to you, this article can help you as well.  It’s been my experience that most managers and teams and individuals often give up or stop too soon.  I’ve certainly done it many times.    But I’ve learned that pushing to the end (and preparing for it) is both an art and a science.  Much of that is demonstrated in this article/interview.

*****

In a Business Class interview a few years ago, I had the pleasure of talking with former Carolina basketball player and coach, Phil Ford, on the topic of business and basketball.  We were looking for parallels – lessons from the court that could be applied in business.

At one point, when we were talking about the importance of preparation and practice, I asked Phil about that famous Duke-Carolina men’s basketball game in 1974.   You know the one?  When Carolina was down 8 points with 17 seconds to go.      Most everyone thought it was over – for Carolina anyway.  And then…

That’s Walter Davis (#24) taking the final at-the-buzzer-shot from 25 feet away that tied up the game and sent it into over time.  Remember – there were no 3 point shots back then!*

Hear more in this excerpt (2:45 minutes) from the interview with Phil Ford.

Coach Dean Smith prepared the team with a vision and a plan.  The plan was practiced.  Over and over.

And then, when everyone else thought the game was over,  Coach Smith reminded the team of the many times they had run through the exact same situation before, giving the team belief and confidence that they could push through. It didn’t always result in a victory but without the final push (and the prep for it), there would have been no chance.

Whether it’s a basketball play or a sales presentation or responses in a call center or at the cash register.

Practice.  Rehearsal.  Role plays.  Videotapes.* Critiques.

All powerful tools for improving performance – in basketball and in business.

copyright 2010 – Business Class Inc

Related Articles:

• Genuine Concern – A Lesson from Coach Dean Smith (shared by Phil Ford)
• Looking for Good:  A Lesson in Leadership from Coach Bill Guthridge (shared by Phil Ford)
• Ready to throw in the towel?  Great Tips from Phil Ford

Photo: From The Dean’s List.  Used with permission from author, Art Chansky.

Available as of February 2011 Update

• BlueBlood Blog – now available at GreatestFan.com
• Duke – Carolina coffee table eBook – now available on NOOKbooks

Speaking of video…you can watch it on video right here!

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