The Seed Sower Coach

The seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. ~ Luke 8: 15

Learning New Tricks

“We’re doing twice the work we used to do and getting paid the same.”

“This new machine’s not as good as what we had before.”

Are these common refrains from your work environment? Although we’re all no doubt busy, I tend to find that the underlying issues have more to do with technological frustration and change more than most other factors.

Consider the first statement, which essentially addresses the “do more with less” argument. It is entirely true that nearly all of us are and are required to be more productive than we were 20 or even 10 years ago. Yet, look at the tools that are now at our disposal. Computer speeds are faster than ever. A single cell phone has more capability than the early computers that helped us land on the moon. Groceries and other goods are delivered to our doorsteps often within a day or even hours of ordering. Scientists developed an immunization for a threatening and sometimes deadly virus in less than a year, far exceeding our expected standards.

So yes, most of us are doing more than we used to do, yet with the aid of technology. If we are still where we were in 2001, we have simply not kept up.

Still, learning how to Zoom, text, or even email can be uncomfortable propositions for many. The reward for first tackling the challenge and then succeeding at it can be immensely rewarding.

In my work in college football, basketball, baseball, and softball for ESPN I provide statistical data and observations to the “on air” broadcasters during the course of a telecast. Basically the job description summary is to share information during an event that will enrich the production and allow the announcers to come across as even more informed and up to date than they already are.

Although sports has slowly made a return during Covid, the broadcasts are different. For one, there may or may not be fans in attendance. Further, the on air talent may not even be present, announcing from a room or basement in their home or some other venue. The same goes for me: out of the events I have been assigned and worked thus far in 2021 all have been from my home office in Florida.

I recall my very first remote production a few months back. Admittedly not as technically proficient as I would like to be, I was overwhelmed at how I was going to adapt, produce quality information, and communicate it effectively. From that experience, I developed a step-by-step formula that not only worked for me, but that I believe can apply to many of the challenges any of us face to make them seem not so intimidating. If I may share:

1. First of all be grateful that the powers that be have demonstrated the confidence in your abilities to entrust you with the responsibility. They may very well see or know some things that are not so readily apparent to you.

2. The long-time question and adage of “how do you eat an elephant?, “one bite at a time,” is very helpful. Break the project down into smaller increments.

3. Seek advice next from those who may have some experience with the same or a similar challenge.

4. Begin tackling the undertaking from the perspective of what you do know. For me that translates to studying game notes and statistics from a variety of websites and transferring that information into the format and tools with which I have most familiarity.

5. Next, tackle the technology options that are most comfortable. For me that is Zoom. In my instance it also meant acquiring two laptops to begin with—one for the live game broadcast and another in which to communicate notes specifically to on air talent.

6. A third laptop was then to be added to the equation in order to receive “live” or current statistical information.

7. Assure that internet connectivity is strong and that there is reliable back up, such as a cell phone “hot spot” in order to remedy a communications void.

8. Speaking of the cell phone, it plays a role in continuing to serve as a communication device, however, through an app that allows the ability to talk to the announcers and production truck, much like a headset at an on site event.

9. Finally take a deep breath, say a prayer, have a good show, and feel gratified that you did it.

Resourcefulness feels good. These sophisticated times of ours also provide a reminder that none of us are ever too old to learn new things. It is good for me to get a taste of obstacles similar to those I task to my coaching clients.

What is the new challenge that you’re going to take on?

The Seed Sower

Diversity and Inclusion

March 16, 2021

Much is written and discussed about the subject of diversity and inclusiveness and exactly what it means. There are for sure the “visual” considerations related to the color of one’s skin, nationality, sex, and age. Less visible are the focuses on faith and religious practices, sexual preferences, and gender of origin.

An executive development and coaching colleague of mine presented an interesting question recently. In preparing a client for a job interview, it would not be unexpected for an applicant for a high level position to be asked this question:

“How has your background and experience prepared you to be effective in an environment that values diversity and is committed to inclusion?”

A first inclination to oneself might be, “Oh no, I don’t want to get involved in a political discussion and end up in a rabbit hole.” Another response could be along the lines of, “I don’t have a prejudiced bone in my body and have always treated everyone the same regardless.” How about, “I just hire the most qualified applicant, it’s as simple as that.” Fine answers, but has the question really been addressed?

If you were asked the question, how would you respond?

For many of us, the quandary we may find ourselves running up against is that imaginary line in the sand. You know which one. The one that says “no matter what, I will not have my values and beliefs compromised.”

John Wooden coached UCLA to national championships in basketball an unprecedented 10 times in 12 seasons during the 1960’s and 70’s. A devout Christ follower and principled disciplinarian, Wooden not only developed a remarkable formula for success, but recruited extraordinary talent. One of those was a 7 footer out of New York, a dominant center by the name of Lew Alcindor.

Not only an outstanding athlete, Alcindor was also gifted with high intellect and his own strong set of principles. He would eventually subscribe to Muslim religious beliefs and become Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

During the late 60’s, as a way of expressing deference to his African American heritage as well as the emerging trends being set by young people of that time, Alcindor allowed his hair to grow out. A conversation between the coach and his star player ensued and went somewhat like this:

Coach: “Lewis, I see your hair is becoming longer.”

Alcindor: “Yes coach, I’m wanting to be more expressive of my heritage as well as follow the more contemporary trends of my peers.”

Coach: “ I see, Lewis. One of the things that is so important is one’s principles and I applaud you for that. If a man doesn’t stand up for what he believes in, what is he, really? Lewis, I have strong principles as well. One of those is that when an athlete steps out on the floor in a UCLA uniform he represents the entire university. I want everyone in our university environment to be proud of our team. I also care about the health and well being of our student athletes. Shorter hair will dry faster after games and practices. Therefore, I have a certain standard that requires that an athlete’s hair be of a certain length. The choice is yours, Lewis, as to where your values and principles stand in relation.”

Shortly thereafter, Alcindor made a trip to his barber for a modified “trim,” yet maintained his Afro. You see, John Wooden had also adjusted his expectation.

Coach Wooden and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar maintained a respectful, sweet, and loving relationship between two men of very different viewpoints until the Coach’s death in 2010 at the age of 99.

More than 20 years ago my employer sent me to a diversity workshop. The facilitator was an African American professor at a local university. Fully expecting the subject to be first of all dry and second to relate to things like race, gender, and age, I settled in for the ride.

To my surprise the seminar began with a question. “How do you feed a family of five on $25 a week?” Initially I didn’t know where he was going with the question. Secondly, I embarrassingly was not sure of the answer or even if it was even possible to do what he asked. Lastly, to my astonishment, several of my fellow attendees nodded as if they confidently had a response.

I didn’t know the answer because I had never been in the poverty known by some. As a result my perspective changed and I learned a valuable lesson that has stuck to me to this day: the importance of trying to understand someone else’s circumstances.

Business thought leader Tom Peters was ranting several years ago to corporate executives. “Hire ‘weird’ people,” Peters exhorted. Without thought diversity, organizations become merely a mirror image of themselves, comfortable with the status quo, not learning, not growing. “Excellent firms don’t believe in excellence—only in constant improvement and constant change.”

“Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.” Mahatma Gandhi

Finally, back to the family of five. Beans and rice can be procured in bulk; peanut butter also can be obtained in large containers. Water comes from the tap. Though a diet of just these elements undoubtedly gets tiresome, it also contains the vitamins, minerals, and fiber required to nourish, feed, and support oneself.

The Seed Sower

Affirmations

Kirk McCarley, The Seed Sower Coach

Planting seeds of confidence . . .

Diversity and Inclusion

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Affirmations

Kirk McCarley, The Seed Sower Coach

314-677-8779