Summary: Coach Brendan Suhr is joined by Scott Howard, longtime coach and one of the best NBA scouts in the game, currently for the Denver Nuggets, to discuss a very timely topic at this time of the year, getting fired. Scott shares lessons he’s learned first hand and through others over the years that will help you rebound and make your next chapter the best ever!<br> Enjoy the podcast, and as an added bonus, Scott has updated his popular blog below!<br> <br> Lessons I’ve Learned From Being Fired<br> By Scott Howard<br> I am writing about something I wish NO ONE ever needed!<br> During my 34 years in basketball, I have been out of a job on several occasions. Unfortunately, in today’s world of collegiate and professional athletics, it happens to coaches, administrators and executives more than it should. It has become part of the business. The money is so big in athletics that it is easy to buy someone out. It has become increasingly easy to blame someone else. Many times a change in leadership leads to new bosses wanting to bring in their own people, and fire people he or she does not know. Lastly, there are times when someone has not lived up to the expectations set for them, or lapses in judgment have made it necessary to be let go.<br> I have learned a lot during these trying times. Following are some of the lessons I have learned and would like to share with you.<br> <br> * WELCOME TO THE CLUB<br> <br> It is a large fraternity of coaches, administrators and executives who were let go during their careers. Some of the greatest coaches in history have been fired. Don’t be embarrassed by it – you need to believe that what you lost simply made room for the new things in your life.<br> <br> * IT HURTS<br> <br> When you get told you are out, it hurts. If you have passion and care about your job, it should hurt. It is okay to be wounded. Just don’t let it be a mortal wound. Don’t wish to change the situation, make the situation change you for the better!<br> <br> * IT’S LONELY<br> <br> There are going be times you feel on an island by yourself as you attempt to make your next move. Surround yourself with as many positive people as you can to help you feel like you have allies.<br> <br> * IT WILL SHAKE YOUR SELF-CONFIDENCE<br> <br> Getting fired can rock the confidence you have in yourself. You will have feelings of “If I am as good as I think I am, how could they fire me?” It is hard to have belief in yourself when your boss just let you go. However, you have to be careful, because a lack of self-confidence can hurt you from getting your next job. You are still really good at what you do – believe it!<br> <br> * YOU WILL QUESTION HOW LOYALTY REALLY WORKS<br> <br> Many times after being fired I struggled with the “loyalty” issue. I felt betrayed because I had been loyal to my boss, and to the organization/school. If there was one reason I could be sure I was not fired for, it was from a lack of loyalty. In fact, twice I was fiercely loyal to my boss and organization, only to be fired.<br> Loyalty can often be a one-way street. If you get fired, and it is not for lack of loyalty, don’t lose that trait. Don’t decide that loyalty doesn’t matter – it truly does. In fact, in every single instance that I have ever been fired, my next job came from a former boss or colleague. I truly think that I got those jobs because of my loyalty to them in past situations.<br> <br> * DON’T BE SHOCKED<br> <br> For the most part, you should probably not be shocked. Many times you probably saw it coming, and just did not figure your boss would do it to you when he, or she, did.<br> If it was not an egregious error on your part, there was likely tension with or decreased communication from, your boss before you got let go.<br> What can overwhelm you is how much it hurts; how your pride and ego are bruised; and how much you wish had left of your own accord before you got fired.<br>
