July 16, 2021

Sunday mornings were invented for pee-wee soccer.

My little guy is never happier than when he’s wearing his soccer jersey and running around like a maniac. 

I am never happier than when I get to watch him do it while I drink a still-hot cup of coffee. (If you know, you know.)

Last soccer practice, the kids were squirrels. The game went something like this: 

Each child stands in front of a small orange cone. A few feet away is a sea of round discs--these are the “nuts.” Dribble your ball, collect a nut, and then dribble back, placing the nut on the cone—the soccer player who collects the most nuts wins.

Sounds simple.

My son’s hand immediately shot up with a question.   

“But how should we dribble the ball?”

To the delight of everyone, the coach provided a visual demonstration.

First, he zoomed a soccer ball straight across the field--blasting it against a far wall.   

“Don’t do THAT,” he says. 

The kids all laughed. 

“Or THIS.” 

This time he just barely tapped the ball, giving it no forward movement. 

Absolute hysterics. 

“And DEFINITELY don’t do this.” 

He rocketed the ball high into the air towards the rafters. 

By this point, the kids were calling to be legally adopted by their new hero.   

“You dribble a soccer ball this way.”

Coach dropped the ball at his feet and demonstrated how to use light touches to move it forward while remaining in control.

And, just like that, concept mastered.

It made me wonder...

Where could you add a Do Not Do This rule to make an existing guideline or process more clear? 

I think the best thing we can do for each other is to default to being more precise. To not assume something makes sense simply because we get it. Taking the time to show someone what to do and what NOT to do can be a genuinely helpful play.

Think of all the opportunities you have to add an extra layer of instruction--a series of Do Nots--for someone's benefit.  

If you’re delegating a task, detail what to do by breaking it down into its most simple steps. Then, jot down what is NOT part of the task.

What do I not have to worry about?

If it’s the brand guidelines for your business, give examples of what the correct brand voice sounds like. Then, show what your voice sounds like when it is done wrong. Create models of improper brand voice that shine a light on the difference between:

• This is too corporate/boring.
• This is too silly/goofy.
• This is just right. 

These are Goldilocks examples.

If it’s a creative/project brief, break out the problem you are NOT solving to put a greater focus on where the thought is best spent.

When concepting new campaigns, products, or services, create yes and no guardrails. Here are the approaches we’re after, and here are the ones we DO NOT want because they’re dull, competitors overplay them, or our research shows they’re ineffective or too costly. 

Knowing what you definitely DO NOT want for dinner helps you figure out what you're secretly craving. Laying out where not to look is a public service if you think about it. 

My kid’s soccer coach is a hero. 

First, he’s coaching a bunch of 5-year-olds. Respect. 🙌

Second, he could have answered my son’s questions in a million, less helpful ways. 

“But how should we dribble the ball?”

Dribble it however you want! 

Use your best judgment! 

Just have fun!

There’s no right or wrong way! 

Yet, there is a right or wrong way, and he demonstrated that. He gave a Goldilocks example showing what was too hard, too soft, and just right. And it was effective.

How can you be like this superhero coach?

• Pay more attention to your own knowledge bias. Are there times when you assume information is understood simply because you've mastered the skill? Do less of this. 
  
  

• When communicating information, how can you make it more precise by showing correct examples AND the incorrect ones that help us see and feel the difference? Do more of this.

Defaulting to being more clear is a simple thing we can all do to improve how we share information and provide a little extra value to others. 

And that’s kind of neat. 

Thanks for reading. I'll be back in two weeks.