🧭 Competitive Character Defined

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Here’s Where We Are Headed Today:

• Pat Summitt on Winning

• Why Brad Stevens Hires Based on Competitive Character

• Great Posts of the Week

• Free Mental Fitness Links 👇

• Quick Takeaways from Today’s Newsletter (TLDR) 👇

Brad Stevens on Competitive Character

Brad Stevens used one core value to evaluate recruits when he was at Butler, and he uses it today to evaluate players and coaches at the Boston Celtics: Competitive Character.

According to him, competitive character is not just about possessing a strong will to win; it's about preparing diligently, caring for the team, and maintaining focus under pressure. This approach is about consistently performing well, regardless of the circumstances.

People have character when it’s easy, but do they have the character to compete when times are tough?

Stevens recognizes that nurturing such a character isn't easy and not everyone possesses it naturally. His goal he says is, "Having a few leaders in the locker room who embody these values can set a team on the path to excellence.”

Stevens talks about this value and tries to instill it within his teams. During his time with Butler, he put it on the wall and always talked about it during recruiting pitches to make sure everyone knew what was expected.

So how do I think about competitive character?

I think it’s an interesting concept because it blends your integrity as a person with your competitive spirit. Character is what you do, your actions, and how you choose to live your life, while your competitive nature is your drive, resilience, and willingness to give your best. Premier Sports Psychologist Dr. Jim Loehr says “Drive” is the number one difference between successful and average, citing examples like Roger Federer and Michael Jordan. The more I dive into this topic, the more I see that competitive character is underpinned by:

• A growth mindset

• Resilience

• Hard work

• Willingness to give your all

• Integrity

This character is not just about striving to win; it's about doing so with honor, respect, and a continuous desire to improve. In sports and beyond, possessing a competitive character means having the ability to balance great human and individual qualities while remaining fiercely competitive.

What does the science say? There are no specific studies on competitive character since it’s a new term, but it’s interesting to see the relationship between performance, character, and life skills.

A study published in Human Kinetics in 2017 investigated the impact of athletic participation on students' leadership skills and found student-athletes exhibited superior transformational leadership abilities, particularly in self and emotional management. Ernst & Young's research on women in leadership roles has also shown a strong correlation between sports participation and executive success​. It is interesting to see the data suggesting sports foster key leadership traits under pressure.

So why does this matter and how can I implement it?

Every organization, team, and person has their own core values, but competitive character is an important one in the realm of performance. Below I have created a 5-question guide to evaluate someone’s competitive character. The responses are meant to be based on a 1 to 5 rating scale.

1. Preparation: How well does the individual prepare for challenges? Are they willing to do the work even when no one is watching?

2. Team Focus: Does the person genuinely care about the welfare and success of their team? If they aren’t receiving recognition, will their team focus waver?

3. Under Pressure: Can they maintain focus and perform efficiently in high-pressure situations? Have they been tested before and how do they respond?

4. Resilience: How does the individual handle setbacks and failures? Do they see these as opportunities for growth?

5. Balance: Is there a healthy balance between their competitive drive and maintaining integrity and respect for others?

Understanding and assessing competitive character through these lenses can provide profound insights into an individual's ability to contribute positively to a team's success while growing personally and professionally.

Source 1: Podcast with Brad Stevens | Game Changers with Molly Fletcher

Source 2: Competitive Character (Brad Stevens) | 3 Things (with Ric Elias)

Great Posts From The Week

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