Christopher Salem’s Post

Curt Cignetti’s First Season is Transforming IU Football - In his first season as Indiana University’s head football coach, Curt Cignetti has led the team to an incredible 11-1 regular season, challenging the Fixed Mindset Culture that has historically held IU football back. With the most losses in FBS history (713), IU’s cultural shift is nothing short of remarkable. - Cignetti and his staff are fostering a Growth Mindset Culture rooted in collaboration, innovation, and integrity—key norms of any successful team or organization. But cultural change is no quick fix; sustainability requires ongoing commitment from all stakeholders, whether in sports or business. - While time will tell if this shift becomes permanent, IU fans now have reason to believe. With this season’s success, Cignetti is proving that belief and effort can rewrite history. 🎥 Watch a fun, short video on the changing football culture at Indiana University: https://lnkd.in/g9bP7xUh 🌟 Want to learn more about helping to create a Growth Mindset Culture for your team or organization? Visit: https://lnkd.in/g2QkDUzy

🏀 Inspired by tonight’s championship game, the close of #MarchMadness, and NC State's incredible Final Four run, I'm here to share a few takeaways from the #Pack I plan to apply to the other 11 months of the year.   1. Be Bold! Coming into the tournament, the NC State's Wolfpack was the ultimate underdog - when we all heard the rally cry “Why Not Us?” we were reminded that improbable does not mean impossible.   2. Know and Play to Your Strengths. Watching both the men’s and women’s teams hit their rhythm highlighted the importance of recognizing and leveraging individual strengths. Whether on the court or in the office, knowing when to pass the ball and when to take the shot yourself is a key to navigating challenging situations.   3. Don’t Let Your Past Dictate Your Future. Adopting Ted Lasso’s “Be a Goldfish” mentality, the Wolfpack didn’t let their season record define their trajectory. Though the men faced a rocky season and several challenging competitors, they clinched the #ACC trophy and proudly cut down the nets after the Elite 8 game last week. Alternately, the women had a great season and approached the tournament with continued grit and determination rather than overconfidence. We won’t get everything right, but if we focus on continuous improvement and being a great teammate, we will set ourselves up for future success.   4. Build a Legacy – Both teams set a precedent for excellence, painting a vision of what is possible for NC State’s basketball program. In the same way, the relationships we build now are the foundation for future interactions and partnerships.   As a lifelong #Wolfpack fan and recent alumni, I focused on my team, but would love to hear some highlights from your team’s season as well! 🏀 🐺   #NCState #FinalFour #GoPack #HowlBack #ThinkandDo North Carolina State University NC State Poole College of Management NC State Alumni Association NC State Athletics

On a recent family trip to Central NJ, I carved out a father son morning with my boys (9, 12) at the Toms River East Little League (TRELL) complex. These are some of the league's accomplishments. 🏆 1998 LLWS Champions: TRELL's historic victory in the Little League World Series, defeating Kashima Little League of Japan with a thrilling 12-9 score, showcased their dedication and skill on an international stage. https://lnkd.in/eAB6K32G 🏅 State and Regional Dominance: Beyond their LLWS triumph, TRELL consistently dominated at the state and Mid-Atlantic Regional levels, proving their sustained excellence in youth baseball. See their fight and will here: LLWS 2021 Mid-Atlantic Region Elimination Game https://lnkd.in/eSwDDr5b 🌍 Community Impact: TRELL's success resonated deeply within the Toms River community, fostering local pride and enthusiasm for youth sports, and uniting families and supporters behind their achievements. We witnessed firsthand the dedication to excellence in pitching, batting, and teamwork. Just like TRELL pursued the Little League World Series championship, strive for excellence in your business endeavors. 🔥 Lessons for Business: TRELL's journey offers valuable insights for business: *Strive for Excellence: Like TRELL's pursuit of the LLWS title, aim high and consistently deliver quality. *Teamwork Matters: Success in TRELL was built on teamwork—players, coaches, and families working together toward a common goal. *Community Support: Cultivate strong relationships with your community and stakeholders. Their support can propel you to new heights. *Celebrate Achievements: Acknowledge milestones and successes to boost morale and maintain momentum. *Perseverance: TRELL faced challenges but remained resilient. In business, resilience is key to overcoming obstacles and achieving long-term success. Let's draw inspiration from TRELL's dedication and apply these lessons to drive success in our own professional journeys! 💼⚾️ #BusinessLessons #Inspiration #Teamwork #Excellence #Perseverance #BeastsFromTheEast Tommy Noone

Each month at SSP, our staff nominates and votes on an Athlete Spotlight of the Month. This is an athlete who works hard, builds others up, is consistent, and holds themselves accountable to reach their goals. This month, the staff has selected Mackenzie Shields as the Athlete Spotlight! Here’s some information about Kenzie: Q: What school/club do you play for? A: TA Swim, Cross Country, Track, and Bluefish Swim Club Q: What is your greatest sports moment? A: As a freshman, I was awarded swimmer of the meet at the Class A high school State Championship swim meet. It was an awesome experience to share with my teammates who were supportive of me and all swam well. Q: What are your biggest goals within the next 5 years? They do not have to be athletic goals. A: I want to swim at a Division 1 school in college, get a Futures swim time, and lead my high school cross country team to qualify for the New England Championship meet. Q: What’s your why? Why do you work so hard and so tirelessly to achieve your goals? A: I like the spirit of competition and the feeling of accomplishing my goals. I want to be the best athlete, person, and teammate I can be. I want to inspire other people to believe in themselves. Q: What is a quote or piece of advice that’s helped you that you can share with the SSP Team? A: “If you want to be the best, you have to do things other people aren’t willing to do” - Michael Phelps Please join us in congratulating @mackenzieeshields !!

The parallels between sports and business are undeniable. Last night, the Celtics closed out a sweep of the Pacers to win the Eastern Championship. Each game was closely contested (game 2 not as much), yet the Celtics prevailed in all of them, showing that being just a little bit better than the competition, can make all the difference. In business, similar to sports, differentiation may not require being light years ahead of the competition; but rather excelling in the small things, learning from past experiences, and staying resilient even in challenging times. Leadership and teamwork were key components of the Celtics' success, with stars and role players alike contributing and encouraging each other throughout. Reflecting on this series, what business and life lessons have you gained from recent sporting events? The connections between sports and business offer valuable insights that can be applied beyond the court. It's Ture...I am biased. I'm rooting for the Celts...and I'm thinking they'll be playing teh Mavs...we'll know more later tonight! who do you think will take home the title? #bostonceltics #nbafinals #businesslessons

United Football League (UFL) Why the UFL Should Expand to Los Angeles Los Angeles is more than a city—it’s a cultural powerhouse. As the UFL considers its next expansion, LA stands out as a prime destination for spring football. Here’s why: Event Culture: Angelenos love events. A UFL team would thrive in this environment, filling the spring sports gap. Homegrown Talent: LA is packed with football athletes hungry for a shot. A local UFL team would provide opportunities and create compelling hometown stories. Economic & Community Impact: Boost tourism, create jobs, and engage the community through youth programs and partnerships. Strategic Insights: Blue Ocean Strategy: LA offers an untapped market for spring football. Differentiate with cultural integration—music, fashion, and storytelling. SWOT Analysis: Strengths in market size and infrastructure. Opportunities in tourism and talent development. Culture Integration: Imagine halftime shows featuring West Coast artists like Kendrick Lamar. Collaborations with LA fashion brands. Games that feel like cultural events. The UFL in LA isn’t just football. It’s an experience. Let’s build it together. #UFL #LosAngeles #SportsBusiness

Having grown up in the Larry Bird era, at my grandfather’s knee as he watched the TV broadcast of Boston Celtics games with Johnny Most’s radio call popping and fizzing out of his AM radio (the radio call is always better), I am a lifelong Green Bleeder. Even with the Sox and Pats’ success over the past 20+ years, the C’s have always been my favorite hometown team. And while there’s plenty to celebrate any time a team you care about wins a championship, I find myself feeling both notably proud and tangibly inspired by two particular facets of this squad: 1. Their resilience/willingness to learn from past failures, to grow, adapt, and achieve. Especially after last season’s ugly exit and a subsequent roster re-boot. And 2. The construction and composition of this roster, proof that combining players that FIT together, compliment one another, and bring team-oriented intangibles delivers more long-term value, especially in challenging situations, than the “Superstar Stacking/Big Three” approach. They are, in every sense, a true “team”, not unlike their mid-80s forebears. Many lessons to be learned here, personal and professional, to be sure. Which is always an important upside of the occasional absurdity of sports fandom. Bring on the duck boats…again! #teamwork #leadership #softskills #fit #bleedgreen #banner18 #nbafinals

🌟 Team England: A classic example of a Team of Stars VS a Star Team 🤩 England has a tapestry of La Liga's stars, Bundesliga’s goal machine, and EPL's finest. Yet, their glow dims on the world stage. Why? 🤔 Southgates challenge? Molding individual brilliance into a harmonious unit. Football isn't just stars; it's strategy and synergy. 🏆 In recent years, England has boasted an enviable array of talent, including players who excel in various home and European leagues. However, success on the international stage demands more than just assembling a collection of stars; it necessitates a coherent tactical approach that maximizes their potential as a team—it demands a symphony of skills. ⚽ Southgate's approach, lauded for its defensive solidity, faces scrutiny for stifling creativity. These “Stars” when placed in Southgate's system, have been critiqued for their cautious approach and rigidity, often finding themselves unable to replicate their club form. Picture dynamic forwards constrained by structure or playmakers subdued by containment—a paradox of potential. Yep, that’s exactly the situation. 🔍 Unveiling the Path to Cohesion. Here are 5 questions I believe he can use to Transform Stars into a Cohesive Unit: 1. Empowering Leadership: How can I empower my stars to lead by example and inspire team cohesion? 2. Balancing Expectations: How can I balance team expectations with the ambitions of individual stars? 3. Fostering Collective Identity: What does "One Team" look like, and how can I achieve this mindset and identity? 4. Role Definition: What key roles do each star players fulfill, and do they complement each other's strengths? 5. Adaptive Tactics: Does my system enable stars to thrive in various game scenarios? 🏆 How can Southgate lead the Three Lions to championship glory? Share your thoughts below! ⚽💬 Unlocking the potential of a star-studded team remains Southgate's ultimate quest. Will the Three Lions rise to illuminate the footballing world? 🌟🏆 #GarethSouthgate #TeamSynergy #FootballTactics #StarPlayers #Sport #SportsPyschology #England #Euros #Leadership #Teams

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🏀🏆 Witness the power of resilience, focus, and teamwork! 🏆🏀 Six games. 289 missed shots. 73 turnovers. 106 personal fouls. 22 missed free throws. And yet, they emerged victorious, undefeated at 6-0. Those were the stats of last year's men's college basketball champions, Villanova University - 2018. It's incredible how amidst countless mistakes, they still clinched victory. That's the magic of the game! What truly inspires me? The players' unwavering focus. Despite the noise, pressure, and scrutiny, they stay locked in, doing their work with precision and determination. Who wouldn't want that level of focus every day? The players' resilience is equally remarkable. With every mistake magnified, they bounce back instantly, no time for excuses or complaints. They get back to work, knowing hesitation could cost the team. That resilience is something I strive for daily. And let's not forget the players' care for each other. Whether it's words of encouragement on the court or support from the sidelines, they uplift each other, fostering a sense of camaraderie and teamwork. That's the kind of care I want to embody every single day. And to think, these incredible feats come from individuals barely out of their teens. Imagine if we all approached our daily work with the same level of focus, resilience, and care. It's a choice we can make, one that inspires others to do the same. As the tournament kicks off tomorrow, let's celebrate the spirit of #MarchMadness2024 and the invaluable lessons it teaches us about life, teamwork, and resilience. Who's ready to bring that championship mindset to their own endeavors? 🚀🔥 #Inspiration #Basketball #CollegeBasketball #Teamwork #Resilience