The Threshold Lab Operation Starfish: An Exercise to Lead Amidst Adversity and Losing
Nov 11, 2025
What do you do when your team is struggling? Discover how focusing on individual relationships can reshape a team's culture. Zach shares the heartwarming story of Operation Starfish, emphasizing the power of small, meaningful actions. He dives into the Diamondbacks' challenging season and reveals strategies from an NBA staff's relationship audit. Learn how one-on-one investment in players can restore belief and purpose, ultimately transforming adversity into opportunity for growth.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Operation Starfish During A Losing Season
- In 2021 the Arizona Diamondbacks staff launched Operation Starfish during a 110-loss season to focus amid overwhelm.
- Each coach chose one player to support intensely, trusting small acts could shift team energy.
Narrow Your Focus To One Person
- Do narrow your focus instead of trying to fix everything at once during tough seasons.
- Start by choosing one person to serve deeply and avoid spraying many solutions broadly.
Avoid Swarming One Player
- When multiple staffers swarm one player they create noise and mixed messages that can overwhelm the player.
- Spreading responsibility prevents players from slipping through the cracks and improves clarity of support.