Below is a brief overview of the book Richard Trombetta is writing, Long Shot - risk, failure, and the desperate need for both.
Copyright 2018 Rich Trombetta
innovationiseasy@gmail.com OR richard_trombetta@dfci.harvard.edu
978-266-0012
Click here to learn about the author, Rich Trombetta.
Click on the file below to read a draft of chapter 1.
Copyright 2018 Rich Trombetta
innovationiseasy@gmail.com OR richard_trombetta@dfci.harvard.edu
978-266-0012
Click here to learn about the author, Rich Trombetta.
Click on the file below to read a draft of chapter 1.
| long_shot_chapter_1.pdf |
Overview:
The goal of this book is to examine the relationship between risk and failure, the impact culture and leadership have on that relationship, and provide data and examples from research to help readers be able to learn work and put ideas into action within their company, team, school/classroom, or organization. In addition, readers will be provided with access to tools, apps, community discussions, and materials to assist you with those efforts.
The book begins and centers around an event from May 2, 2017, in which the Boston Celtics were playing the Washington Wizards in the NBA playoffs. During that game second year player, Terry Rozier, took and made a three point shot at a critical moment in the game. What is fascinating about this play is that this one moment illustrates the importance of allowing people to take bold risks and the need to be supportive if they fail. Rozier, a second year player, had only averaged 17 minutes per game that season but was playing at the most crucial time of the year. He was coached by Brad Stevens, a person no stranger to risk taking (he quit his corporate job a Eli Lilly to pursue his dream of becoming a basketball coach) and a person who emphasizes team culture over individual performance. After the game when asked about Rozier taking the shot mentioned above he stated, “He’s a young player, so he’s going to have ups and downs. And sometimes we don’t look at ups and downs as a good thing, but they are. It’s good to have ups and downs; it’s good to have to go through some tough times just as well as the good times.”
Building off of this one play and incorporating research and examples, readers will learn why the confidence to take bold risk and the need to support others through failure are so desperately needed in today’s world.
Possible topics and research:
The goal of this book is to examine the relationship between risk and failure, the impact culture and leadership have on that relationship, and provide data and examples from research to help readers be able to learn work and put ideas into action within their company, team, school/classroom, or organization. In addition, readers will be provided with access to tools, apps, community discussions, and materials to assist you with those efforts.
The book begins and centers around an event from May 2, 2017, in which the Boston Celtics were playing the Washington Wizards in the NBA playoffs. During that game second year player, Terry Rozier, took and made a three point shot at a critical moment in the game. What is fascinating about this play is that this one moment illustrates the importance of allowing people to take bold risks and the need to be supportive if they fail. Rozier, a second year player, had only averaged 17 minutes per game that season but was playing at the most crucial time of the year. He was coached by Brad Stevens, a person no stranger to risk taking (he quit his corporate job a Eli Lilly to pursue his dream of becoming a basketball coach) and a person who emphasizes team culture over individual performance. After the game when asked about Rozier taking the shot mentioned above he stated, “He’s a young player, so he’s going to have ups and downs. And sometimes we don’t look at ups and downs as a good thing, but they are. It’s good to have ups and downs; it’s good to have to go through some tough times just as well as the good times.”
Building off of this one play and incorporating research and examples, readers will learn why the confidence to take bold risk and the need to support others through failure are so desperately needed in today’s world.
Possible topics and research:
- Dell exec bringing soda to the CEO’s house - play it safe
- Data from pilots/examples from The Innovation Company
- Why do athletes have this willingness to take risks
- Kerr and Paxon - passes from Jordan
- Villanova player - "expect every shot to go in"
- Do high school basketball players score higher on Instant Insights than surgeons (or some other profession….maybe rank a bunch)
- Jeter - don’t be afraid to fail
- Dave Roberts - stealing 2nd base; barely played all year
- Derek Lowe 2 seam fastball in 2003 ALDS
- Seahawks try for a pass vs Patriots in 2015 on goal line
- Grady Little - leaves Pedro in, no one steps in (team just let it happen); fired
- Find former players who took big risks when the money wasn’t as big
- Improv auditions - cooperation versus competition
- A nation of scared people misled by certain messages (college, grades, connections, etc.)
- The false sense of security with the safe path (Stevens example, corporate jobs); golf analogy
- MIT contest
- Google’s study on psych safety
- Bezos - failure, letter to shareholders