Conversations with Tyler John Amaechi on Leadership, the NBA, and Being Gay in Professional Sports
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Oct 1, 2025 
John Amaechi, a former NBA player, psychologist, and bestselling author, dives into leadership in sports and beyond. He discusses the hidden impacts of workplace culture shaped by tolerating poor behavior. Amaechi critiques the university sports system for neglecting athletes' personal growth. He candidly shares his journey as a gay player, addressing the struggle with homophobia in sports. The conversation also covers mental health, the significance of therapy, and the fallacies of personality testing, while emphasizing leadership as a skill earned through practice.
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Worst Behavior Defines Culture
- Culture is shaped by the worst behavior people tolerate in a workplace.
- Unchallenged small rituals (like banging on tables) become the defining norm.
Use Connective Rituals
- Use connective rituals that build care and humanize leaders during hardship.
- Create regular non-work gatherings so teams can access each other's lives and feel safe.
Midnight Sprint Ritual
- Doc Rivers ran a midnight preseason ritual where everyone had to pass a sprint or miss practice.
- The ritual ensured day-one fitness and set a tone of preparedness for the season.
