Do the human thing

Picture this.

It’s March 21st 2025, and the Minnesota Timberwolves are facing a crucial game following two tough losses. Coach Chris Finch decides to make a surprising lineup change, placing veteran Joe Ingles in the starting five for the first time in over three years.

The state of play?

Just days earlier, Joe’s son Jacob, who has autism, achieved a huge milestone of sitting through an entire NBA game. An experience that had been understandably challenging before now with the sensory overload. It was a special moment for Jacob, who watched alongside his Mum and siblings… 

The only downside was, Joe didn’t get to play.

“It's emotional, you know,” Chris Finch shared when asked about his coaching decision. “Sometimes you gotta do the human thing… All these minutes matter, and those minutes matter for another reason.”

We couldn’t say it better ourselves, and this video really struck a chord, reminding us that doing the right thing is never the wrong thing:

The ‘human thing’ has incredible impact; not just intrinsically, but also on the scoreboard, allowing a team like the Timberwolves to let go of fear and ego and find a new source of energy. 

Quite simply, ‘the human thing’ means it’s no longer about us, or the pressure to win. In this case, it’s about a father and son. It’s about connection and love.

There are minutes that matter in all corners of our lives. On the court, in the office, at the finish line - the list goes on. But then there are minutes that matter for other reasons, as Coach Chris has beautifully demonstrated. These minutes fill our lives with meaning and purpose. And these minutes are where the human-being can be our greatest competitive advantage.

Because here’s the thing: Our human-doing thrives when we celebrate the human-being first.

That’s precisely what happened next for Joe and the Minnesota Timberwolves. They didn’t just win the game that night, they blew the Pelicans out of the water with a 41-point victory. 

Through their focus on playing for Joe and Jacob, they discovered the power of dedication. It enabled them to be a part of something much bigger and unlock their A-Game in the moment of performance. Hats off here to Coach Chris for championing this perspective shift, moving the team away from expectation and towards dedication. 

So, what lessons can we learn from Coach Chris and the Timberwolves? 

Make the switch
When you’re faced with a must-win game or performance, remember that any expectation of outcome can create pressure and negative energy. What we need most in these moments is a shift in perspective, an opportunity to find freedom, rather than force a result.

You can try switching:

1. Expectation ➡️ Experimentation
   Think: play, curiosity and creativity. What if we tried this? Could we find a little more fun with that?
   
2. Expectation ➡️ Appreciation
   Think: gratitude and silver linings. We get to do this.
   
3. Expectation ➡️ Dedication
   Think: Joe and Jacob, choosing someone or something to play/perform for. Find the deeper meaning that makes those minutes matter.
   

Human-being, human-doing
In that exact order, trusting that the doing will take care of itself with time, patience, practice and compassion. We’re not just players (in our respective fields) - we’re people too. And the combination of both allows us to do something pretty special.

Well played, Timberwolves 🏀

Interested in going on the journey from expectation ➡️  dedication? We've got just the thing for you and your team 👇