Never let the situation get bigger than you

This is what I have learned from the LeDecision incident.  It has been
a few weeks now and I am finally starting to gain perspective on the
matter and trying to learn something from this to salvage something
for myself. So here goes.

There was a sports commentator on NPR (yes, they exist) who said
something to the effect of, I felt like was genuinely shocked up there
with Jim Gray.  As if at the last possible minute he realized the
spectacle he created was a bad idea, and how bad the advice he
received was.

Even though he had decided long before, and the interview and his
answers were scripted, the situation was out of control.

He let the situation get bigger than himself. Even for the ex-King.

Although we bemoan scripted Supreme Court justice confirmation
hearings, or wish our President would show more spontaneous passion,
these indeed would be mistakes.  All are in control of the situation.
Not to say bad things can't happen - just that they know they have are
in control of situations and not vice versa.

We can do the same in our lives.

A good salesperson knows a really important meetings outcome has been
scripted and socialized with all the stakeholders beforehand.

A good poker player will never see her chips as money, but as units.
As soon as she sees dollars, it's time to leave.

A band always keeps a few songs in its back pocket for its encore to
finish with a bang.

My wife scripted our wedding ceremony but adapted to the rain.

All of these moments have the illusion of spontaneity and fluidity,
but all require command of their respective situations with
calculation, practice and strategy.  The big moments in your life
should never been unscripted, just seem that way.

LeDecison did none of that. But we all can be better in our everyday lives.

Yes, we all can act better than Lebron.