#149 Coach Phil Jackson (11): Metacognition. Becoming more self-aware as a leader.

Sport and the Growing Good

Coach Jackson joined us to discuss how and why coaches should build self-awareness. Our weekly write-up on Metacognition.

1. “I always thought there was something more to basketball than basketball.”

2. Standing at the center circle before the start of practice. “When people come to the center circle, everything has to be in order.”

3. Metacognition: how do we think about thinking. How do we monitor our own thoughts.

4. During coach’s first experiences coaching in the CBA, what were his thoughts about himself as coach? “I was going by instinct.” Also drew from some past experiences. “I didn’t know what I wanted to teach.”

5. “How am I communicating with the players?” Focus on how energy affects players.

6. “You can’t fake it. You’ve got to be yourself.”

7. “Coaches need to have their own life in order.” Setting a behavioral model for the team.

8. Authenticity is more than our personality.

9. Coaches can fall into traps – threats that undermine metacognition: a) Stress. b) “Uncritical perceptions of our own fluency – we think we know more than we do.” c) dogmatism – rigidity.

10. Uncertainty is a good thing. But how can we embrace the “good elements” of uncertainty with still being a strong leader? Examples from Red Holzman as he took over the Knicks – he focused on defense (what he knew), but left offense more to the players. “He made himself transparent.”

11. “Give the team a voice.”

12. Recognizing players with insights and calling on them. “He (Red) gave up authority.”

13. Only about 15% of people are fully self-aware. But metacognition can be developed. Three strategies: structured reflection/journaling; feedback loops; mindfulness meditation, prayer.

14. Self-awareness helps us regulate our behavior.

15. Feedback loops with the coaching staff.

16. The importance of confession – time to speak openly and freely about struggles.

17. Mindfulness meditation. Sitting with yourself. “I thow it out there as a value, ‘but you can’t lead a horse to water.’”

18. Zen and the Art of Archery. Implications for coaching.

19. Coach Ron Ekker’s book. Having a player go through visualization during a period of injury. “When he got back, he didn’t miss a beat.”

20. Tex Winter’s relaxation and visualization routines. “There’s a skill in relaxing the mind…This involves allowing yourself to stop thinking…I am just a transmission for what’s going to happen on the floor.”

21. Using the time during the national anthem to not think.

22. “How do you see yourself as a coach?...What’s your role?”

23. Reflecting after different phases of the season.

24. On visualizing before the competition: “Not only do you have to be in the now. You have to be in the before now.”

25. You had to suffer the shipwreck through your efforts before you can seize the life raft that I threw you.”

26. “The coach must allow the players to find the teaching.”

27. A coach’s dream: Players teaching each other.

28. Staying even. Energy.

29. Giving assistant coaches a forum to lead. Discussing and reflecting with them. Helping them grow.

30. Emphasizing the process by breaking the season down into two week sections.