In This Episode, You Will Learn: The qualities that make up a great coach, leader, and role model. What it was like playing with Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. What coaches need to be aware of, and the difficulties they can face. The key to creating a healthy, balanced team culture. Advice for young hockey players and aspiring coaches.   Resources + Links:   Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov   Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast   Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/   Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players   Show Notes: Do you want a real, behind the scenes look into the world of coaching? Then you’re in luck! Today, we have Craig MacTavish, a former National Hockey League player turned head coach who played 17 NHL seasons and won the Stanley Cup four times! We will be discussing his playing career as well as his transition into coaching. Who were the mentors he looked up to and learned the most from? What did his team cultures look like and what was special about them? How does he approach coaching on ice as well as from an analytics perspective?    We’ll explore what it was like to play and work alongside legends such as Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. Then, MacTavish shares his invaluable advice for aspiring coaches and what they need to be aware of, as well as advice for young hockey players. Whether you’re a veteran coach or just starting out, you’ll be able to take away something new from this episode!   0:00:00 Meet Craig MacTavish, a former NHL player & head coach with 17 seasons under his belt! 0:01:25 What qualities led to your longevity? 0:03:15 What were the qualities that got you to the National Hockey League? 0:07:40 Who were your mentors in your early career? What made you look up to them? 0:09:30 What mentors did you learn to emulate? 0:12:35 Taking a look back at the Russian style of play. 0:16:30 What was it like playing with Wayne Gretzky? 0:19:40 Is it possible to teach hockey sense? 0:21:55 What made Mark Messier such a good leader? 0:23:55 What was special about your team’s culture to be able to win the Stanley Cup four times? 0:27:50 How has the game changed since your last NHL game? 0:29:30 What led you into coaching? 0:34:20 The three pillars of Oilers culture. 0:37:45 What are your passions away from hockey? 0:38:50 What are some of the difficulties coaches face? 0:41:15 How do you approach coaching the newer generations? 0:44:50 Taking the directive approach. 0:47:20 Where do analytics and metrics fit into your decision making? 0:51:45 What advice do you have for young, aspiring coaches? 0:53:40 What do people need to realize about coaching? 0:56:15 What advice do you have for young hockey players? 0:58:10 What is coming up next for you? 0:58:50 How would you want to be remembered?

In This Episode, You Will Learn: How to build culture around self-sufficiency, accountability, and education. The physiology and importance of fascial health and performance. The three step approach to training fascia. What goes into effective strength & conditioning training models.   Resources + Links: https://coachtube.com/course/health-fitness/understanding-fascia-and-its-role-in-performance/11920886   https://www.eldoamethod.com/about-eldoa-method   Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov   Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast   Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/   Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players   Show Notes: Do you want to know what goes into peak performance on a biological, physiological scale? Our guest today is speaker, consultant, and performance coach, Brijesh Patel, the current associate athletic director and director of athletic performance at Quinnipiac University. He works with men’s and women’s basketball as well as men’s and women’s ice hockey to create self-sufficient cultures built around accountability and education. We’ll take a look into strength & conditioning models on a collegiate level, and how Coach Patel optimizes performance from his student athletes. Then, it’s time to explore all things related to the physiology behind fascia: What is it? What does it do? Why is it important? And how can we train it? For the athletes and coaches looking to take it to the next level, this is the episode for you!   0:00:00 Meet Coach Brijesh Patel, associate athletic director and director of athletic performance at Quinnipiac University! 0:01:55 What does a day in your life look like? 0:04:20 What is your philosophy with your athletes? 0:06:50 Why should you avoid being spread thin? 0:08:50 How do you create individualized programs? 0:11:30 Building a self-sufficient culture. 0:14:50 How do you approach your student athletes with your mission statement? 0:18:25 The plants versus machines analogy. 0:21:55 Why does position matter? 0:23:25 Where does position start? 0:26:40 What is fascia and why is it important? 0:29:30 Why is fascia an obstacle to position? 0:31:35 How do you measure those differences and how long do they last for? 0:34:10 How does fascial impairment affect the lymphatic system? 0:37:15 What are the elastic and plastic properties of fascia? 0:39:00 How to approach fascial preparation. 0:42:35 What is ELDOA? 0:44:10 How do you increase load through the fascial system? 0:45:40 Improving sequence and pairs. 0:47:45 How do you use eccentric and isometrics? 0:49:15 What is the time interval for your student athletes? 0:51:25 What is the last step of fascial preparation? 0:53:20 How do you periodize the in season model? 0:56:45 How about off season? 0:59:35 What do you recommend for fascial health?

In This Episode, You Will Learn: Advice for young hockey players, parents, and young coaches. The qualities that elevate coaches and players beyond. What the translation from player to coach looks like.   Resources + Links:   Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov   Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast   Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/   Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players   Show Notes: If you’re wondering what defines a good coach from the rest, look no further than this episode! Today, our guest is the player turned assistant coach of the Cleveland Monsters, Mark Letestu. With experience in over 800 games, Mark has valuable advice to share for youth hockey players, hockey parents, as well as parents who are interested in coaching. We’ll talk about his transition into coaching and the shifts that have been made in the game since he was a player. Then, we explore the qualities he looks for in players and coaches that makes them stand out. Join us and learn how to take your coaching skills to the next level! 00:00 Meet the assistant coach of the Cleveland Monsters who has played over 800 games, Mark Letestu! 01:30 What are the struggles for a first year coach? 03:30 Who were the coaches you look up to and aspire to be? 06:50 How do you communicate with younger players? 08:55 Why do you stay away from social media? 10:50 What are the qualities you see that bring players to the next level? 13:25 What makes Connor McDavid so special? 15:00 What makes a good performance and strength coach? 18:25 Valuing metrics. 20:45 At the end of your career, how did players communicate with technology? 23:40 In season versus off season. 26:36 How did you prepare for the off season? What would you have changed looking back now? 28:45 What qualities did you look for in gyms? 30:40 Finding the right program for you. 32:15 What is your advice for young hockey players? 36:35 What advice do you have for hockey parents? 37:40 AAA game schedules. 39:30 What do you think about summer hockey? 41:50 How has summer hockey shifted in a more competitive sense? 43:10 What would your advice be for a young father wanting to get involved in coaching? 44:50 What is your end goal?

In This Episode, You Will Learn: How to see the game from a scouting perspective. The critical skills and qualities a scout looks for in a player. Advice for young, aspiring scouts. What human components can and cannot be measured.   Resources + Links:   Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov   Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast   Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/   Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players   Show Notes: Do you want to know how a veteran NHL scout developed his lens? Today, we have the director of player personnel for the Las Vegas Golden Knights, Vaughn Karpan, a player turned scout with over 30 years of scouting experience. We’ll be discussing the lessons he has learned over his career, starting from his early years of mentorship to the present day. We also talk about the qualities a scout looks for in a player, both on the ice and off it. Then, we explore the components and skills that can and cannot be measured by data alone. If you’re an aspiring scout, you won’t want to miss your chance to learn what it really takes to be a scout for the NHL! 0:00:00 Joining us today is the player turned scout and current Las Vegas Golden Knights director of player personnel, Vaughn Karpan! 0:01:20 What led you to scouting? 0:05:10 Who were your mentors in your early career? What qualities did you admire about them? 0:08:40 What does a typical week look like for you? 0:10:45 From a scouting perspective, how has the landscape of talent evaluation changed? 0:15:00 What do you look for when hiring a staff member? 0:18:25 How have you evolved your lens? 0:22:25 How does technology play into talent identification? 0:26:20 Relying on your gut instinct. 0:29:30 How is skating evaluated as a skill? How does it interact with game speed? 0:32:45 What is critical for a player to have? 0:35:15 Playing the game versus understanding the game. 0:37:20 What have we lost sight of in sports? 0:40:30 As a scout, What does a combine mean to you? 0:44:05 What components cannot be measured by a scoreboard? 0:48:10 Are there qualities that you look for off ice? 0:50:50 What advice do you have for aspiring scouts? 0:53:50 Why is scouting not for everyone?  0:57:25 What does it take to be a good scout?

In This Episode, You Will Learn: A behind the scenes look into the life of a high performance coach. Advice for aspiring coaches, young athletes, and youth hockey parents. What key qualities a sports science staff needs to have. How to find joy in life and in the game.   Resources + Links:   Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov   Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast   Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/   Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players   Show Notes: Have you ever wanted a behind the scenes look into the life of one of the best coaches in the history of the game? In this episode, we’re joined by Mike Babcock, head coach of the University of Saskatchewan men’s hockey team and the winningest coach in Detroit Red Wings history. We’ll be going behind the scenes of a national hockey league coach’s day for fresh perspectives and quality advice all aspiring coaches or young players need to hear. Then, we discuss what characteristics are important for a sports scientist to have, as well as key elements any coaching staff needs. Our talk will take us back in time to Coach Babcock’s early career, and all the way to today as we chase the story behind his success. Join us and find out what the joy of the game means to a high performance coach! 00:00 Meet Coach Mike Babcock, one of the best coaches in the game! 02:30 Why are you fond of the early start of your career? 04:35 Who were your mentors? 07:40 As a young coach, how did you build culture with your teams? 09:30 What were lessons from previous experiences that you drew from as a national league coach? 12:10 What do your days look like behind the scenes? 14:40 Finding a work-life balance. 17:20 How did you build and re-tool the Detroit Red Wings? 18:40 What were some of the tangibles and intangibles of the Red Wings’ success? 22:10 What does it mean to embrace the monotony of being a pro? 24:40 Did you take a cooperative approach in your early coaching? 27:05 How have players changed, and how has your approach changed with them? 30:40 What are good qualities for a sports scientist or a strength coach? 34:00 Why is communication within a team so important? 36:50 Persuasion versus informing messages. 38:25 What do you not find value in? 40:05 What are the critical anchor points for you? 42:10 Knowing when to experiment. 44:15 Which tests do you prefer? 46:00 What advice would you give to an aspiring coach? 49:40 How about for a young player? 51:10 What advice do you have for youth hockey parents? 52:45 What are your thoughts on the development of youth hockey? 55:10 A day in the life of a head coach. 55:15 What is coming up next for you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn: The pillars behind the Pioneer health and performance model. The qualities, objectives, and evaluations coaching staffing should have. The advantages of using and mastering technology. How to monitor and utilize data for maximum output.   Resources + Links:   Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov   Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast   Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/   Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players   Show Notes: Are you ready to take your performance model to the next level? Our guest today is the senior associate athletic director of sports performance at the University of Denver, Matt Shaw. He’s here to discuss the incredible Pioneer health and performance model before deep diving into monitoring and technology. First, we get a closer look into the pillars of the PHP model and the process behind it. Then, we want to explore the advantages and efficiency of technology such as Catapult, force plates, and GymAware, and the focus points Matt looks out for as a coach for student athletes. Are you using technology to its fullest potential? Do you want to know what qualities you should look for in your department staff? This episode has all of your answers and more, so come and learn how to play harder and perform higher! 0:00:00 Meet Matt, the University of Denver’s senior associate athletic director of sports performance. 0:01:20 What did you do before your current position? 0:04:00 How involved on the floor are you within your position? 0:05:25 Does your background help you have better communication now? 0:07:30 What are the main pillars of the PHP model? 0:09:40 How are these pillars integrated directly to students? 0:12:05 What were the mistakes you made and what were the lessons you learned? 0:14:15 How did you expand your staffing? 0:16:50 Building up the model. 0:19:35 What are the qualities you look for when hiring? 0:23:50 How do the members of the model communicate? How do you communicate within it? 0:26:25 How are you growing the model? 0:29:10 What does your position entail? 0:32:00 How do you evaluate your staff? 0:34:50 How does your background factor into evaluations? 0:37:10 What drives your technological investments? 0:41:50 The advantages of knowing how to use technology. 0:46:40 What technology do you currently use? 0:48:10 What do you focus on when using force plates? 0:52:30 How do you track and use data? 0:54:20 What were the interventions you made using GPS? 0:58:30 How do you use Catapult to reinforce practices? 1:02:35 What do you hone in on concerning return to play?

In This Episode, You Will Learn: Tools you need to build, develop, and coach elite teams. The purpose and intent of combines. Fundamentals behind coaching philosophy.   Resources + Links:   Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov   Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast   Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/   Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players   Show Notes: Have you ever wondered what the key to successful coaching looks like? Today, we’re joined by Reg Grant, certified strength & conditioning coach, former New York Rangers performance director, and current director of human performance at Holy Main Hospital. With his seasoned background, he shares with us the lessons he’s learned and the mistakes he’s made from his experiences as both president of the SCAPH and a developer of the NHL Entry Draft combine. Then, we dive into combines and what they are and what purpose they serve. We discuss how he has navigated change during critical moments of his career, constructed his high performance model, and cultivated his athletes both on and off the ice throughout the years. Whether you’re an aspiring coach or high performance athlete, this episode has something of value for everyone! 00:00:00 Meet Reg Grant, certified strength & conditioning coach, former New York Rangers performance director, and current director of human performance at Holy Main Hospital. 00:02:35 Is it rare to stay at the same club for over a decade? 00:04:10 What do you think is the secret to long term success? 00:07:30 What was your first year with the Rangers like? 00:12:25 How to approach coaching for young athletes. 00:14:50 Would you take the same approach today? 00:16:45 For your first year, how did you run your test? 00:21:50 The importance of having everyone on the same page. 00:25:40 How did you navigate change? 00:28:35 What is essential for aspiring coaches to understand? 00:31:45 How did you create your performance model? 00:35:55 How did development camps help evolve that model? 00:38:25 What are your feelings about technology and trusting your gut? 00:43:05 Reevaluating for the human component. 00:47:15 What is critical to remember for coaching philosophy? 00:48:45 What was your time as the president of the SCAPH like? 00:52:30 How about as one of the developers of the current NHL Entry Draft combine? 00:56:15 What would your elevator pitch for combines be? 01:00:45 What are your responsibilities as director of human performance, and how do your past experiences help you now? 01:04:15 How to start sustaining and stacking healthy habits.

In This Episode, You Will Learn: Joel’s experience transitioning from working at the University level, to the Edmonton Oilers. The process and testing that went into his published articles. Joel’s advice for putting On Ice Testing into practice with a team. Benefits of stair conditioning for hockey players.   Resources + Links:   Resources from today’s guest, Joel Jackson: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8439675/ https://www.prohockeystrength.com/public/Movin-on-Up-Stair-Conditioning-for-Hockey-Players.cfm   Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/   Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players   Show Notes: Let’s talk On Ice Testing! In this episode, I’m joined by Assistant Strength and Conditioning coach of the Edmonton Oilers, Joel Jackson. Joel has recently entered his first season in the National Hockey League after spending 9 years as a Strength and Conditioning Coach for the University of Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas. He completed his Masters Degree from the University of Alberta in 2015. Prior to working there, he spent 5 years competing with the Augustana Vikings men's hockey program. Joel is here sharing his experience and knowledge about testing, on and off the ice. From research for articles we discuss in this episode, to his work as a coach, Joel is sharing all things strength, conditioning, and on ice testing.   02:15 Making the transition from (University) to working with the Oilers. 04:30 Differences in training and managing stress with a more demanding season. 06:50 What are your responsibilities and how does communication flow as an assistant strength and conditioning coach? 09:00 What elements do you feel make a good test off the ice? 17:15 How are baseline measures useful when players are coming back from injuries? 22:00 The process of research, testing, and publishing for Development and Reliability of a 7x15m Repeated On Ice Sprint Test of Female Hockey Players. (Direct link included under Resources and Links) 25:00 What was the process of testing with the Female Hockey team at the U of A?  30:00 Is this type of On Ice testing something you did with the University of Alberta? 33:50 Recommendations for implementing this On Ice testing with a team. 41:15 The inspiration behind Joel’s SCAPH article, Movin’ On Up: Stair Conditioning for Hockey Players. 46:00 What is dynamic correspondence? 50:50 How would you periodize your stair work? 55:15 Thoughts on jump training and plyometrics.

In This Episode, You Will Learn: What led Coach Dan Pfaff to become a High Performance Coach. Tips from Coach Pfaff’s vast experience over multiple sports. How to communicate with a large team supporting your athlete(s). How Coach Pfaff would approach creating a program for Hockey Players.   Resources + Links:   Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/   Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players   Show Notes: I have the privilege of taking a peek behind the curtain of how a High Performance Legend was made! In this episode, I’m joined by two friends and mentors, Coach Dan Pfaff and Dr. Fergus Connolly. Head coach at ALTIS, Coach Dan Pfaff has a long list of accolades to go with his experience having tutored 49 Olympians, 9 medalists, 51 World Championship competitors, 5 world record holders, and directed athletes to 57 national records across a multitude of events. Dr. Fergus Connolly is back for another episode with us here at HPH, and is bringing his perspective with decades in High Performance as a Performance Director, Author, Business Owner and consultant. Tune in to hear us dive into all things High Performance, and advice Coach Pfaff has for young coaches entering the industry today!   02:00 Did you always know growing up that you wanted to be a coach? 04:30 Learning to coach through the desire to improve in Baseball as a kid. 07:20 What were the advantages of not having technology at your fingertips as you began as a coach? 10:00 Benefits of perspective when some get stuck in being solely process focused or solely outcome focused. 12:15 Would you be as good of a coach if you were starting as a new coach today? 13:40 How would you filter the noise as a young coach today? 15:00 Lessons learned from coaching in different cultures around the world. 19:15 What are some of the biggest challenges working with medical personnel?  26:00 What are the qualities you look for when hiring Physical Therapists and ATC’s? 27:50 Advice for balancing life and coaching. 31:20 Do you think your diversity of experiences in different sports has been a big part of your success?  35:40 When were you first introduced to a High Performance model? 39:50 Where does measuring and monitoring fuse with the art?  47:30 How do you communicate to all the members at (Altis)? 49:40 Reviewing film and miss-communication with a paralympic athlete. 56:15 Mistakes hockey players make with skates, and playing with equipment to affect biomechanics. 01:00:50 How would you make a program for a hockey player? 01:04:00 Where do you see the profession of High Performance going in the future?  

In This Episode, You Will Learn: What science is, and what it isn’t. (Thoughts and emotions aside.) How we can lead as critical thinkers, and whether that is a skill that can be taught. Whether biases have a benefit. Our esteemed guests approach sports science and decision making.   Resources + Links:   Check out this podcast episode, that inspired today’s conversation: Resilient Performance Podcast - Trust the Science episode   Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD   Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov   Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast   Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/   Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players   Show Notes: What is science? Maybe a better question to ask is “What ISN’T science?” In some conversations the term science seems to have changed or lost its meaning altogether. In this episode, I’m honored to be joined by two incredible guests, Doug Kechijian and Fergus Connolly.  Performance Coach and Business Advisor, Fergus Connollly and Physical Therapist, Strength Coach, and business owner at Resilient Performance Training Systems, Doug Kechijian. In this premier episode of The High Performance Hockey Podcast, we dive into sports science, critical thinking, and the blend of research, art, and science in the world of coaching. It’s not just hockey, and it’s not simply philosophy either. We’re having a true discussion about thought, biases, and science. In life, business, and sports. We are so glad you’re joining us for this first episode of the show. Please subscribe and follow us on social media to continue the conversation! 02:00 What is science meant to be? 07:15 Minimizing biases with a scientific approach. 11:40 What are limitations to science? 17:00 What is sports science in your own words? 20:50 Measuring what is meaningful vs measuring simply because we have technology. 24:15 Do you believe critical thinking can be taught in Universities? 33:30 Benefits of listening to different arguments and coming to your own conclusions. 38:20 The balance of art, experience, and science in coaching. 43:00 Do biases have a survival benefit? 48:30 Should you ever do anything that there isn’t research for? 50:40 From a performance perspective, what is your hierarchical approach to making decisions?