Issue #14: Sports strategies for the boardroom

In a Nutshell

“Playing tennis on Mars”: Why lessons from sport can sideline victory in business

with executive coach Richard Hughes-Jones

1. Kind vs. wicked // Psychologist Robin Hogarth defined two different types of learning environments, which he called “kind” and “wicked.” Sports take place in kind environments characterized by clear rules and accurate feedback.
2. Messy feedback // Business leaders operate in wicked learning environments, where the rules of the game aren’t fixed and feedback is messy, random, incomplete, ambiguous, and secondhand. What worked once may not work again. 
3. Adaptive skillset // Deliberate practice in kind environments can work well in business to develop foundational technical skills, but it won’t necessarily help you progress at a more senior level where a more adaptive skillset is needed.

Read the full article here.

Top stories you may have missed from the past week

3 ways “anti-micromanagement” can backfire

Nobody likes a micromanager but if you push too hard in the other direction things could get much worse. Here’s how to reset the balance. Read here.

The “Olympic mindset”: Do elite athletes make elite employees?

What we can all learn about the journey from the arena to the workplace — and how Aristotle can guide our thinking. Read here.

5 ways AI can create stronger teams

Jotform CEO Aytekin Tank highlights an AI-powered pathway toward more productive and more creative teams. Read here.

The 3 pillars of workplace happiness and how to use them

From “job crafting” to questioning our preconceived ideas about work, there are many ways to fight burnout and disengagement. Read here.

Get Big Think+ for Business

Guide, inspire and accelerate leaders at all levels of your company with the biggest minds in business. Learn more.

Click to subscribe to the Big Think Business Newsletter