Failing Forward and Imperfect Environments

217: JJ Redick - "You've Never Arrived. You're Always Becoming."

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JJ Redick is an iconic and legendary basketball player from Duke University. He is their all time leading scorer. JJ was the 11th overall pick in the 2006 NBA draft (Orlando Magic). He's going in to his 12th NBA season. He recently signed a 1 year, $23 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. He graduated from Duke with a major in history and a minor in cultural anthropology. He is an extremely thoughtful leader and someone I loved talking to...

The Learning Leader Show

"There was never any sense that I was done accomplishing things. You've never arrived. You're always becoming."

Show Notes:

• Sustained Excellence:
  • Passion for what they do
    • Coach K has this at Duke, Steve Ballmer has this with Microsoft as well
  • They master the small stuff -- Read The Carrot Seed
    • Being in the weeds everyday
    • Diligence to be in the weeds
  • Adaptability
    • Coach K doesn't have a system. He adapts to his current players. It changes every year. Same is true for Bill Belichick and Greg Popovich
    • "How do I maximize this team's personnel?"
    • "Each year you have to adapt"
• The power of receiving a daily devotional
• "There was never any sense that I was done accomplishing things."
• The importance of coaches, parents, and friends to never let JJ feel entitled. They would call him out if needed
  • 2nd half of the ACC championship when he was acting like a brat. Chris Collins called him out
• How do we develop GRIT in our children if we're able to provide anything they could ever want?
  • "The biggest thing I learned from my Dad was he went to work everyday. Then he came home and would work on the house, the yard, and work more. He showed me how to work."
  • Live under your means
  • "Stuff doesn't matter, we care more about having great experiences as a family"
• Falling Upward - "to reach the second half of your journey, you need to fail" -- It's necessary
• Working in an imperfect environment -- "Mastering mechanics in an imperfect environment"
  • "You can't master it unless you've done it over and over and over"
    • "It's very rare that anyone works in a perfect environment" -- You must be able to adapt
• Mindset going in to free agency? "Wanted stability. Had 15 minutes to decide on the 76ers offer."
• Being an "over thinker." "Addicted to information" -- How does that impact him as a shooter?
  • "I am addicted to information. I am a deep dive person."
• How to handle a slump? --"You have to enjoy the mundane. I love going in the gym and shooting over and over." (Angela Duckworth -- GRIT)
• Goal setting process -- Each year, write down a list of what you want to accomplish
  • Some examples: Win an NBA championship, get a sleeve (arm) tattoo, have a son, go on a great European vacation.
    • Setting life goals every year -- "How do we include other people on this journey?"
    • A "Words of Wisdom" file on his phone
• Life after basketball
  • General Manager in front office or creating a media company to tell interesting stories. Building something. Anthony Bourdain is the blueprint. He uses food to tell interesting stories
  • OR the idea of completely reinventing himself. "That idea is both terrifying and exciting at the same time."
  • "The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun."
• Building relationships and networks in a variety of places
• Working with and learning from LeBron James and Maverick Carter

"The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun."

Social Media:

• Read: The Carrot Seed
• See why over 280,000 people follow JJ on Twitter: @JJRedick
• Connect with me on LinkedIn
• Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
• To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

More Learning:

Episode 073: Jay Bilas - World Class ESPN Basketball Broadcaster, Toughness, Fixing The NCAA

Episode 078: Kat Cole - From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

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