The Final Four, the NBA Playoffs—a time when everything will come down to who wants the ball. Coaches will be looking for their go-to players, because that’s who will have the best chance of winning the game for them. Notice, I didn’t say that’s who will win—there are no guarantees, and even the best of us can fail sometimes. And sometimes the other team is just better. But the player who wants the ball, commands the ball, and shoots that last shot—that’s the player I want on my team!
When building a business, you will at some point need people to take big shots. Not everyone can be the best on the team, obviously, but you can assemble a team where everyone is willing to give it their best, where everyone is willing to take risks when it counts. Maybe not all of your people start out with that trait, but often, if you the leader give them the opportunity to try new ideas without the fear of losing everything, they’ll learn it. Then, ultimately, you can have a team of players willing to take that last shot.
Now all you have to do is keep all of them happy!
photo credit: Free throw via photopin (license)
Eric Kasimov is the founder of SportsEpreneur, part of the KazSource media network. Since launching the platform in 2015, he has hosted over 500 podcast episodes, written and published more than 1,500 articles, and advised business leaders, founders, and creators on building authority through media strategy.
Through his brands — KazSource, KazCM, SportsEpreneur, and QuietLoud Studios — Eric leads teams that produce podcasts, develop brand platforms, and help companies grow through modern content ecosystems. He also scaled KazSource Insurance into a seven-figure boutique agency, providing the foundation for the broader media network he operates today.
His work has been featured in Forbes, Axios, and Front Office Sports, and his podcasts have included conversations with top founders, investors, and athletes turned entrepreneurs.