The PLAYBOOK : A Coach's Rules to Life : Netflix Doc-series

 

The Playbook (Episode 1) – Doc Rivers: A Coach’s Rules For Life

In Netflix’s new  series, The Playbook, successful coaches share their playbook for success, in sports and in life. Episode 1 features Doc Rivers, an NBA veteran. #netflix

I attempt to make a brief of the Episode 1 and add my 2 cents, with a parallel to those Rules For Life, as articulated by Doc Rivers in our Corporate life.

Who is Doc Rivers?

Glenn Anton "Doc" Rivers (born October 13, 1961) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach for the Philadelphia.

Rivers went on to coach the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Philadelphia 76ers. He won an NBA championship in 2008 as head coach of the Celtics.

Personally I love sports, I learned Tennis very late in life and Golf even later, and hence when one of my friend and colleague recommended this series, I found this very inspiring. Lot of good learning. I feel, we stop growing when we stop learning. #learning Sharing is caring, hence attempting to pen my observation as summary with my personal analogy to life.

Sports are great, it also helps bring to to surface many qualities which help in corporate, startups  and personal relationships.

I had the opportunity to work in few of the best Tier 1 multinational to startups, and blessed to Coach in professional workplace and in running Marathons. I have separate blogs on the same. This blog, is to highlight key success pointers by NBA veteran and acclaimed Coach Doc Rivers.

The Kick-off is so captivating, he says I never go to practice, I go to play Basketball. Thats summarises the perspective to life. I call that as PASSION. Its like for me last 3 decades every day when I go to workplace or to coach my folks, I always feel I WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. 

I just love to do what I do.  I have worked with great folks, and I observed they have this terrific DRIVE, they LOVE what they are doing and enjoy it every day, every week, every month. 

So here are the tips from the Playbook of Doc Rivers.

Rule No 1: FINISH THE RACE

He as  young kid, dreamt to be Pro Basketball player. His father told, whatever you do FINISH THE RACE.

This is so true and powerful.  Is it not the same, with all the Successful ones in any field. They set to FINISH what they started, not since they need to FINISH it, but they have this drive and are passionate to achieve what they started.  Obstacles will always be in the path, we will face a wall of resistance but need to FINISH.

I learnt a lot from running Marathon. One step at a time, and enjoy it you will be at the finish line. Never give up. Dont stop when you feel tired, but stop when you are done. I know a good friend who quit a highly paid cushioned job, to create a startup and is a successful entrepreneur. 

Rule No 2:  DON’T BE A VICTIM

Doc Rivers mentions he has been with basketball for almost 30+ years and still continues to work as hard as possible every day. If we wish to be successful or wish to be on the top, we need to work hard.

He did face, a tough situation when his Club Boss, made a Racist comment.  He did express, his parents taught DON'T BE A VICTIM. 

The team, had a choice to Boycott the crucial game. Instead they chose own way to protest and expressed at the centre of court before start of game and played the game.

In corporate we face such situations everyday, we need to self teach WE WILL NOT BE SOMEONES VICTIM. Its a choice.  We may hear comments, someone is doing better than you, why cant you perform like others, criticism on your ideas or actions. You need to know, you have a choice TO NOT BE A VICTIM. 

Keep working keep doing. DONT STOP. One of my favorite learning from Marathon, is dont compete with others, keep taking one step at a time. You will reach finish line. Be it a startup or pyramid growth in corporate, DONT BE A VICTIM. You will always have dozen to pull you or put a pebble in your pathway.

Rule No 3: UBUNTU IS A WAY OF LIFE

For Celtics to win, they had to pick 3 mega star players Garnett, Allen and Pierce . This was necessary for Boston Celtics in 2007, who had been record losing.in the mega trade, mid season in 2007,  

This could have been a major tug of war and clash of titans ego due to differences.

Doc had a very clear focussed tip. “If we’re going to win, we need to make sacrifices.”

One of Celtics well wisher, said to Doc. You all are going to do it....you just need to practice the Ubuntu. #ubuntu

What is Ubuntu, its not a word , but It's a way of life. This was the gift of Mandela. It is all about being human. Ubuntu – from the Nguni phrase, 'Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu' – is a concept found throughout Africa. It literally means that 'a person is a person through other people'.

They started living Ubuntu in every day life.  They won the NBA championship, since they learnt individual strengths, passion, obsession, goals all fall in place when they come together to make you and team the best.

Infact in my various small to large organisations which I have seen grow, the leaders play the role of this kind of coach. Knowingly or unknowingly  they instill Ubuntu in the cutlture.  Infact every organisation has top talent, genius and experts but all not reach the pinnacle or stay when they reach.

We need to make Ubuntu as way of life, in our organisation culture too.#culture #inclusion

Rule No 4: PRESSURE IS A PRIVILEGE 

Doc did a fantastic decision. He got a focus spotlight to shine a vacant spot, where the next championship title place holder. 

He was very clear, all his super stars to not only be obsessed to win . but actually win it. Pressure, is good. Pressure helps to drive.

He adds Pressure is a Privilege. That spotlight was a pressure, but it also was reminder to the greats, you have the opportunity and privilege to deliver success.

In our professional life, we need to have leaders who create such Spotlight, a goal that drives all. It should be a driving force for one and all, which they see every day when they walk-in our walk-out and feel that honour privilege to be here and contribute.

Good healthy honorable Pressure created can deliver miracles, make Impossible as I M Possible.

Rule No 5: CHAMPIONS KEEP MOVING FORWARD 

Who are Champions . Are they the ones, who never fall, or get hit, or never tank or never hit a wall, or never go thru low phase. 

No they get hit over and over and over. Champions, do fall, they do get hit but they get up and keep Moving forward. Also they decide, how much they wish to get hit. Keep Moving Forward is the key to being one.

The NBA Finals in 2008 against the Lakers – was an epic.

Doc started a plan lets cut the 24 point difference by reducing the lead by 6 points. That was the key game changer with Lakers . 24 to 18 to 12 to 8 to 4 to 2.

With every reduction they were closing and moving forward. After that it was no looking back, They lived the Ubuntu, made the sacrifices to win and played for each other. 

Rest is history. 2008 : NBA Champions : Boston Celtics. 

Personally that makes me growing up to similar nostalgic win by Indian Cricket team to lift 1983 World Cup against the Mighty un beaten West-Indies . They all lived above.

In our professional life, we will face such tough times with best competition when we bid for Prospect, and do not have a chance due to the odds. But we need to keep moving forward. Need to keep adding small brownie points. Small success references which work wonders in the decision making of future prospects. As individuals in corporate pyramid, we will not always get projects which we wish, nor get best performance rating. Lets not make it put us down. If we need to rise, we need to get up, roll our sleeves, do different and rise.