The Game and Its Lessons
Writing about sports: the game itself, its philosophy, and what I take from it.
1 Sports Investing Primer
Joy, Competition, Mindfulness, Compassion
Steve Kerr built the Golden State Warriors' culture around these four values. The questions and practices are how I read them, on a court or anywhere else.
Joy
Enjoying the process rather than chasing only outcomes.
Why do I love doing this?
- Appreciating the privilege of competing
- Celebrating teammates' success
- Staying curious and creative
- Keeping a sense of play, even under pressure
Competition
A commitment to excellence.
How can I become my best?
- Preparing thoroughly
- Embracing difficult challenges
- Holding myself accountable
- Improving constantly
Mindfulness
Staying present.
What deserves my attention right now?
- Paying attention to what is happening now
- Not dwelling on mistakes
- Not worrying about future outcomes
- Responding instead of reacting
Compassion
Not lowering standards, but holding people to high standards while understanding that they are human.
How do I treat myself and others?
- Listening before judging
- Building trust
- Treating people with dignity
- Giving honest feedback while respecting the individual
Together they come down to psychological safety, honest communication, and long-term relationships.
Kerr's four values as reported by the Associated Press (2015), Greater Good (2017), and Harvard Law School (2022).
