Noah Hicks

Brad Stevens was asked, "What's the one thing that you look for when hiring a coach or drafting a new player?" His answer was just two words. Brad may now be the GM of the Boston Celtics, but his answer hasn't changed in over 15 years since coaching at Butler. He said, "Competitive Character" He defines Competitive Character as the approach to consistently perform well, regardless of the circumstances. It's combining character with the drive and will to do your best. Brad said, "I believe strongly in competitive character. People that will prepare well, people that care about their team, and when the lights are on - can focus on their task and do their job well, regardless of circumstances." • It means doing the work. • It means choosing to be resilient. • It means having a growth-mindset. • It means being a person of integrity. You can only have so many leaders on a team with competitive character, but these are the leaders that set the standard for everyone. They lead by example. They help drive the team and are reliable during tough times. This character is not just about striving to win, it's about doing so with honor, care for your team, and a continuous desire to improve.