THE MONDAY LEADOFF

Hi my friend 🫡

Today marks the start of the 2024 baseball season. I'm documenting the journey through the TML and YouTube.

One of the worst parts about coaching is making cuts.

As a young coach, I was afraid to make cuts. It never gets easier. Something I gleaned from Chris Voss is the guillotine method; straight to the point. "You're not going to like what I'm about to say. Unfortunately, due to XYZ, you didn't make the baseball team. We appreciate your taking the time to try out and encourage you to stay active by joining another sport at the school." Here's more of a deep dive into handling difficult conversations.

What has worked best for you when cutting or releasing players? Shoot me an email.

On a productive note, I came across a phenomenal post on giving feedback by Adam Grant…

Recently, a team of psychologists was able to make feedback 40% more effective by prefacing it with just 19 words:

“I’m giving you these comments because I have very high expectations and I know that you can reach them.”

People are remarkably open to criticism when they believe it’s intended to help them. As Kim Scott observes, people will accept being challenged directly if you show that you care personally.

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WHAT'S BEEN WORKING

1.

"How am I supposed to do that?" (in a calm and curious tone)

A recommended response when put in a difficult spot: when asked to move summer camp, when asked to move a Saturday 8:00 AM practice, when asked to do something that doesn't work for you.

It puts the problem-solving frame back on the other person in a non-combative way.

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2.

YouTube is significantly underrated

When solution-finding or learning, I'm working on training my mind to immediately hit YouTube. It's the tops.

QUOTE I'M PONDERING

"Work + Big Goals = Ambition

Lazy + Big Goals = Entitlement

Big goals don’t make you different. Big work does."

-Alex Hormozi

Nothing but the best,

Matt

P.S. THANK YOU to everyone who has replied to these emails and has interacted with my social media. The questions, comments, and engagement are outstanding.