79. Dr. Todd Kashdan - Ted Lasso or Bob Knight? Motivation, Resilience and the Art of Insubordination with the founder of The Well-Being Lab

The Professional Athlete Podcast with Ken Gunter

If you’re listening, Dr. Todd Kashdan hopes you disagree (at least with something). Dr. Kashdan is a leading expert on the psychology of well-being, curiosity, mental flexibility and social relationships. He is currently a Professor of Psychology and founder of the Well-Being Lab at George Mason University. He is an author of five books, including his most recent “The Art of Insubordination: How to dissent and defy effectively”.

In today’s episode Dr. Kashdan discusses why most “rebels” are not effective. The importance of Divergent Thinking. The need to instill fortitude in young athletes and the case for constructive coaching. Lessons learned in motivation from Phil Jackson to Bob Knight. What is principled insubordination and the right way to create change. Why your small talk is terrible and the reason you should embrace emotionally uncomfortable experiences.

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Chapters:

0:00 - No shortage of rebels, but are they effective?

8:00 - The importance of Divergent Thinking

11:00 - Fortitude - Ted Lasso or Bob Knight

18:00 - The case for constructive feedback

22:00 - How great coaches motivate their players

24:00 - Principled Insubordination - what today’s activists are getting wrong

30:00- What activists can learn from the gay rights movement

35:00 - Manipulation and the strategic path to progress and consideration of your enemy

44:00 - Phil Jackson and Dennis Rodman

46:00 - Relationship between curiosity and intelligence

55:00 - stop having small talk and key to great questions

1:03 - embrace emotionally uncomfortable experiences

1:08 - awareness of your own biases and limitations

Mentioned in Today’s Show:

Books by Dr. Kashdan:

Art of Insubordination: How to Dissent and Defy Effectively

The Upside of Your Darkside: Why Being YTour Whole Self-Not just Your “Good” Self-Drives Success and Fulfillment

Other books mentioned:

“Win Forever: Live, Work, and Play Like a Champion” - By Pete Carroll

Grant - By Ron Chernow

Rayden’s story: https://vimeo.com/702702219

Follow Dr. Kashdan

website - https://toddkashdan.com/

Twitter: @toddkashdan

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Follow The Professional Athlete Podcast with Ken Gunter:

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Website: https://www.kengunter.com/

YouTube: Ken Gunter https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRhgjkoSiJXAbS_MIasvvzQ/

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Audio recorded with SquadCast: https://squadcast.fm/?ref=kengunter

Audio Produced By: Justin Gunter

Show Produced By: Ken Gunter, Justin Gunter

Content Designer: Austin Suit

Music: “Up and Down” by Patrick Sweany