Session 1: Backstory
WHAT’S YOUR STORY?
Our individual story is the most powerful way for people to connect to each other for any journey ahead that is new, hard or long. Every person has a story that is important. When we share our story we find points of intersection with other individuals that help us connect greater, empathize more, and deepen our relationships with one another.
“If I can tell my story truthfully and the feelings that go with it, I am known. People who are known ask for help, receive help, and give help. Good things happen to people who are known.”
— Chip Dodd, Ph.D
All of our stories need to be heard because it affects how each of us will contribute and be a part of this team. This team will go as deep as you want it to go, but first you must start with your story.
Reflect, write and share parts of your story using these guiding questions:
Tell us about yourself personally (family, kids, hometown, etc.) & your professional journey (college, pro, etc.)
What was a defining moment in your life that shaped who you are today?
Who were the 2 major influential people in your life & why?
Tell us about one of your toughest failures & greatest successes.
What sacrifices have you made to get to this room today?
From everything you shared answering these questions, what are the 1 or 2 major attributes you going to bring to this team this year?
Session 2: Reflection
Reflection is one of the cornerstones of growth, allowing us to honor our past efforts, acknowledge our challenges, and clarify our path forward. Reflecting on 2023 isn't about dwelling on the past; it's about being completely prepared for 2024. It's critical to reflect, understand, and then set aside the previous season to move powerfully into the new year unburdened, focused and present.
“Performance improvement begins with reflection – the mirror that reveals the athlete's journey from every setback to each triumph.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
W.I.N. Exercise - 2023 Reflection
Each player will think & reflect through these questions & lenses below, then bring their thoughts to the team session.
Reflect on these questions considering the 2023 Season:
What did we do WELL?
What needs to IMPROVE?
What do we need to do NEW?
Reflection lenses to look through for the 2023 Season:
Off-field
Practice
Game
Other (i.e. Preparation, Purpose, Focus)
We will spend time in small groups sharing & coming to a consensus, then share with the bigger group. After the big group discussion, we will decide as a group what to commit to, implement, or action on.
Session 3: Standards of High Performance
Core Foundation & The Inputs
Standards of High Performance Include…
Core Foundation
Purpose: What Is The Goal?
Identity: Who Are We?
Inputs
Principles: Our Non-Negotiables & How We Play
Values: What We Value & How We Will Behave
Outputs
Objectives & Goals: What Will We Measure?
Metrics & Results: Are We Successful?
HOW DO WE LIVE THE PRINCIPLES & VALUES?
Recognition
How do we recognize each other when we are doing a good job living the Principles and/or Values?
Accountability
How do we practice accountability for ourselves & each other?
What is the process?
What is the process when the process doesn’t work?
What else (if anything) do we need to uphold these Standards for each other & the team?
Session 4: Standards of High Performance
The Outputs | Metrics & Results
"Performance analytics is no longer a luxury; it's a necessity for those who want to succeed in modern sports."
What & How do we measure the “Inputs” with ”Outputs”
Positional Group Breakouts
Determine 2 Outputs for your Positional Group & 2 for the Team
Which "Outputs" are most important to our Positional Group?
Which "Outputs" are most important to the Team?
Each Positional Group will present to the other Positional Groups
Positional Group "Outputs" will be shared, discussed & affirmed
Team "Outputs" will be shared & the Team will decide on how many & which ones the team is going to commit to as a whole
Leaders will present to Coaching Staff & gain feedback, seek collaboration, & determine who to measure & present after every game
Session 5: The Pursuit of greatness
greatness is “selfless exceptionalism” which is the place beyond success, as defined by world renowned sports psychologist Dr. David L. Cook. Both of these components are critical to greatness. Without the “selfless” component champions are often egotistical, proud, selfish individuals who serve little beyond their own appetites and interests, becoming poor role models for [their teammates and] future champions. They often live lives they are unfulfilled no matter the number, size, or scope of their accomplishments. And without the “exceptionalism” component individuals can sink into mediocrity, lack of competitive spirit & uses achievement as divisive behaviors that create separation or division between people.
“greatness is open to all but only pursued by a few.”
— Dr. David L. Cook
When put together, ‘selfless exceptionalism’ creates high-achieving performers whose specific aim is to make those around them better. Greatness is reserved for those with a servant’s heart and humility. Greatness is expressed most authentically and powerfully as selfless exceptionalism during defining moments of both life’s greatest performance achievements and life’s greatest challenges, including uncertainties, adversities, unrest, setbacks, defeats, and chaos. Selfless exceptionalism during tough times becomes the foundation of thriving versus surviving. You have to win the inner game in both mind and heart to reach greatness. To do that, you must be very intentional, have extreme clarity, and constantly be a work in progress.
How do I achieve greatness with ‘selfless exceptionalism’?
The exercise below is for you as a player, but make sure you consider the team goals and desires so they can be aligned and complementary if possible.
It starts first by answering these 4 questions…
Where do you want to go? (Focus)
How bad do you want to get there? (Passion)
Do you have the mental, emotional, personal & performance skills needed to handle the challenges and adversity along the journey? (Awareness & Resilience)
How do you measure your process and use your resources, mentors, and network to support you? (Reflection & Guidance)
Expressive Journaling Protocol
Spend time in these four questions answering all of them with extreme detail, certainty & transparency. The depth, clarity, & honesty to which you answer these questions says it all. Performers don’t fail because they don’t try; they fail because of the answers to these four questions.
Two Ways to Approach the Exercise:
Write about all four questions every day for 4 days:
Each day, answer all four questions with honesty and great detail.Focus on one question per day for 4 days:
Dedicate each day to deeply exploring one question.
Steps:
Set a timer for 20-30 minutes.
Keep writing continuously.
Don’t worry about grammar or spelling. If you run out of things to write, repeat until the timer goes off.Reflect on what you wrote.
When the timer goes off, take a deep breath and feel proud of your effort.Repeat daily for 4 days.
This repetition will spark awareness and creative insights, creating new neural pathways in your brain.
*Influenced & adapted from the book “greatness” by David L. Cook - World renowned sports psychologist & consultant to championship teams.