Well, the sky is falling today with our local hockey team, the Ottawa Senators. They have lost three games in a row and grant it they have not played well in two of the last three games. Fans are already crying out saying trade this guy, send this guy to the minors, play the back up goalie more. That is what fans do, no matter what the sport.
The biggest challenge that Coach Green has is changing the mindset of this group. For five years it has been the wild wild west where there was no rules, no accountability. It was like having a supply teacher for five years. Now, with the new management group a different mindset has arrived.
To change bad habits,thoughts, and individual priorities takes time and patience. Unfortunately in this market fans revert to past experiences. It is easy, it is comfortable and is the path of least resistance.
It takes about 21 days to make a habit and 90 days to make it permanent. In total 101 days, which is about 3.5 months. Right now we are about 2.5 months into the season. To do this for 22 people at once, that is a tall task. What did Sensnation think was going to happen?
So often we look at failures as a defining moment of the season. Already there have been some failures but the season is 82 games, not 20 games. A defining moment are the choices of excellence that teams make. Failures are opportunities to learn, but they are only permanent if you allow then to be.This group of players seem to think they are permanent. The team must have a clear intention with every group interaction whether it be practice, meeting or game. The priorities must be clear. The priorities come management and team leadership. It is there job to execute it.The approach must be planned.The Hockey Operations group has used a very deliberate approach, which is a far cry from the shoot from the hip mentality of previous management.
To make a behavioural change is very difficult. Players need to know why the change is happening. In the case of the Ottawa Senators change is happening because of lack of success from doing the wrong way for the last five years. You can not go from zero to sixty right away but you can’t be tapping the brakes either. They need to build habits that improve their performance every game. Sometimes a regression takes place and that hurts the players and the fans. When the regression takes place it is due to lack of discipline which comes down to choice. Can you do what you are supposed to do when you are supposed to do it the way it is supposed to get done.
Until next time.
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