The 7 Powers of Sports Teams
Applying Hamilton Helmer's framework to see what durable competitive advantages look like in sports.
Andrew Ball
Thoughts on Sports, Leadership, and Decision-Making
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Latest episodes
Words and the Ways They Divide Us
How teams push people apart and undermine their success with the language they use.
Buying at the Trade Deadline
The trade deadline decisions are often the hardest for the buyers. These three questions often determine how successful they are.
How Much Does the Spring Tell Us About Players in the MLB Draft?
Teams begin every draft season with a mountain of information on prospects. How much should a few months change their opinions?
The Problem with Signing Scouts
How one of baseball's oldest and seemingly harmless traditions encourages the wrong behaviors.
Are MLB Teams Getting Better at Drafting?
The draft has become a data-driven process with more information available than ever. Has that information led to better decisions?
What Baseball Should Be Fighting About
Four issues that deserve more attention during the collective bargaining discussions.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Strategy of Going All-In
You can't evaluate a strategy without looking at the alternatives.
The Intent Behind Feedback
When it comes to feedback, why you're sharing matters far more than what you say.
My Personal Canon
Why sharing the things that shaped you may be the best way to let others know you.
Your Ideas Aren't That Valuable
What Emeril Lagasse, Moneyball, and great organizations teach us about competitive advantage.
The Missed Opportunity in the MLB Draft
For nearly a decade, teams could have spent big to land a better draft class. Why did no one try?
Stop Trying to Sound Smart
There's a difference between sounding intelligent and being understood.
What’s The Worst Outcome For An NBA Draft Pick?
How anchoring to past evaluations can turn solid picks into something else.
Yellow Doors
The most rewarding experiences sometimes come from unexpected places. On taking chances, and what comes next after we say yes.
That's Not Accountability
When teams underperform, the common move is to fire the manager. Why that often falls short and what those decisions signal to the rest of the organization.
The Outside View
How looking beyond the situation in front of us tends to lead to better decisions.
Age, Uncertainty, and Draft Decisions
Historically age has been important for draft picks. How do teams use that history to inform decisions about the future?
MLB Extensions: The Same Bet, Made Earlier
Why teams are committing earlier and what they're giving up the process.
What the First Week Actually Tells Us
Early season results are largely ignored. Should that be the case?