Last week I presented a theory about coaches fitting into two general camps:

• SYSTEM coaches believe in a game plan, a system, which will bring success. Players have very specific roles to play and their responsibility is to learn and fulfill those roles.
• TALENT POOL coaches adapt their systems according to the strengths and weaknesses of their players and the challenges of the competition. Players’ roles are more fluid.

I’d like to extend my theory—the way we approach life can also be divided into these two camps. Where do you fit in?

For example:

Are you a system person?
Do you want a job with a list of duties to follow to the letter?
If you are hiring, do you want an employee who only does what is listed on the job desciption.
OR Would you prefer an employee (or boss) who sees what needs to be done, finds ways to do it efficiently, and then looks around for more?

What’s your stance on marriage roles?
Does the husband do husbandy stuff and the wife does wifey stuff?
OR Do you switch off, doing what fits your skills and the situation?

What your role as an elementary school teacher?
“While I am reading you a story, you need to sit at your desk with your hands folded and listen.”
OR “While I am reading you a story, you may just listen or draw a picture—as long as the picture has something to do with the story I am reading to you.”

I don’t believe that this theory makes any kind of statement about right or wrong. Rather, it’s a question of acquired expectations, personality types, and understanding where you stand.

• Which camp do you best fit into?
• Which camp is your boss in? Or your spouse? Or your teacher?
• Do you feel competent and appreciated?
• Do you communicate well? Do you sometimes feel as if you were speaking different languages, with the same words coming out of totally different dictionaries?
• How many recent conflicts emerged due to differing expectations?

Simplistic? Certainly, relationships of any kind don’t depend on one factor. But understanding another’s basic outlook eases a lot of tension.

This is what happens in my brain after watching a close game, be it ice hockey or basketball. You learn things in sports.