In this episode of the Brews and Business podcast, the hosts interview Eric Conkle, the head basketball coach of the University of Tulsa. They discuss leadership, team management, and strategy in both basketball and business. Eric shares his experience in coaching and emphasizes the importance of helping individuals improve while working towards team goals. They also discuss motivation, communication, and the challenges of managing a team. The conversation highlights the similarities between running a basketball team and running a business. In this conversation, the hosts discuss the importance of support and delegation in leadership. They share personal experiences and insights on how to create a supportive and empowering environment for team members. They also touch on the evolution of the game of basketball and the importance of adapting to different generations. The conversation concludes with a discussion on love and the balance between work and family life.



Takeaways:

• Leadership in basketball and business involves helping individuals improve while working towards team goals.
• Motivation can come from both intrinsic and extrinsic factors, and it's important to find what motivates each individual.
• Effective communication and creating a safe space for open dialogue are crucial for team success.
• Addressing issues and conflicts in a constructive manner, with a focus on finding solutions, is key to maintaining a positive team dynamic.
• Each business and basketball team is unique, and it's important to identify and focus on what sets them apart.
• Constant improvement, both individually and as a team, is essential for long-term success. Support and empower team members by showing them that you are willing to do tasks that are not part of your job description.
• Delegating tasks and trusting others to take on responsibilities is essential for effective leadership.
• Adaptation is crucial in basketball and in life, as the game and society are constantly evolving.
• Ground yourself in core values and recruit individuals who align with those values.
• Mistakes are part of growth, and creating adversity can lead to personal and professional development.
• Express gratitude and appreciation to those who have positively impacted your life.
• Starting a business requires taking risks and being willing to learn as you go.
• Finding a career that you are passionate about is key to long-term happiness and success.
• Creating a supportive and fun work environment can lead to stronger team dynamics and increased productivity.
• Balancing work and family life is a challenge, but prioritizing family and creating opportunities for quality time is important.

Sound Bites:

• "I want my assistant coaches to become head coaches. I want my GAs to become full-time assistant coaches down the road. I want our players to become professional players and graduates, of course."
• "I remind my team that I work for you just as much as you work for me. I'm here to support you."
• "Conflict and confrontation doesn't have to be nasty. It can be differences of opinion, and we welcome that."
• "Even if it costs more money, let's make sure that's our name. That's our name. That is everything that we represent."
• "There are some managers I worked for that did that. And then there was a few that were the opposite. They were like, you take this, which is what I would normally do, and I'll go take out the trash."
• "You gotta be able to teach others and put them in positions where they can be most successful and put a team together that can accomplish all the things that you need accomplished."

Chapters:

00:00Introduction and Coffee Announcement
02:02Eric's Coaching Background and Journey
04:22Creating a Supportive and Goal-Oriented Environment
08:13Building a Branding and Content Department
10:10Leadership and Personal Development
12:09Effective Communication and Conflict Resolution
13:52Performance Metrics and Continuous Improvement
18:32Embracing Uniqueness and Identifying Strengths
23:00Motivation Techniques and Habits
25:37The Unique Nature of Businesses and Basketball Teams
28:21Concerns and Frustrations Leading Up to the Season
31:01Motivating the Team: Support and Freedom
34:31The Power of Support and Delegation in Leadership
36:18Adapting to Change in Basketball and in Life
38:34The Importance of Core Values and Recruitment
42:06Embracing Mistakes and Creating Adversity for Growth
45:03Starting a Business: Taking Risks and Finding Passion
52:36Creating a Supportive and Fun Work Environment
56:10Balancing Work and Family Life

Special thanks to @GregoronCoffeeRoasters for sponsoring this episode with their amazing espresso blend!

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