Power Play 11: Safe Picks Don’t Build Dynasties

POWER. PERFORMANCE. POLITICS.

Power Play 11: Safe Picks Don’t Build Dynasties

Law # 29: Plan All the Way to the End

Metaphorical Truth: You can’t make legacy moves with a liability mindset.

Opening Story – Draft Night as a Mirror

The Sixers had a rare shot: No. 3 pick in a class filled with volatility and potential. A moment to shift the narrative. Shake the dust off years of playoff trauma. And maybe—just maybe—build something more than a second-round ceiling.

Instead? They played it safe. VJ Edgecombe. High floor. Low chaos. No splash.

And in that choice, the whole blueprint unfolded: This wasn’t about chasing greatness. This was about surviving critique.

The Lesson: Fear in leadership doesn’t always scream. Sometimes, it whispers: “Let’s just not mess this up.”

In the Boardroom – Executives

The Problem: When leaders fear scrutiny more than failure, they shrink their vision.

From Experience: The Sixers had the capital to trade up, shake things up, or swing for a future All-Star. Instead, they drafted like a firm padding Q2 numbers—not building a disruptive brand.

The Strategy: Safe is not a strategy. It’s a stall. If you’re in a position of power and you’re making choices that avoid embarrassment, you're no longer leading—you’re managing fallout.

The Power Play: Make the bold play early. Don't wait for desperation to force action. Use the high-leverage moments to declare your intention—then build the system to back it up.

In the Office – Athletic Directors

The Problem: Program leaders confuse sustainability with stagnation.

From Experience: How many ADs have hired the “safe” coach to appease donors? Or added sports that won’t shake the political ladder? Philly’s draft-night restraint felt familiar: pick the guy who won’t offend anyone.

The Strategy: Legacy demands risk. Especially when your program’s brand is fading. If your moves don’t shift culture or spark belief, they’re just maintenance.

The Power Play: Make one move per year that could make you uncomfortable. If everything you’re building fits inside the budget and the old guard’s expectations, you’re not building—you’re babysitting.

On the Sideline – Coaches

The Problem: Coaches often coach like they’re protecting a record, not building a team.

From Experience: You’ve been there. A top athlete is available—raw but electric. You go with the consistent, compliant kid instead. Why? Because your job’s on the line. Because it’s easier to explain a B- than defend an A+ that flames out.

The Strategy: Growth doesn’t come from safe substitutions. It comes from strategic bets. Teams evolve when coaches stop overthinking the outcome and start believing in the build.

The Power Play: Trust your instincts, not your fears. Use preseason, down games, and draft moments to try the wild card. It’s not about being reckless—it’s about refusing to become forgettable.

On the Field – Athletes

The Problem: You can be elite, but still be labeled “safe.”

From Experience: VJ Edgecombe didn’t ask to be the face of caution. But now he’s the pick that “fits.” The guy who’s supposed to not make mistakes. That’s a heavier load than being the risk.

The Strategy: Athletes—when you’re drafted or recruited for what you won’t do wrong, it’s your job to prove what you can do right. Turn their low risk into high regret.

The Power Play: Stop waiting for hype. Build your legend from silence. Make every highlight louder than the label they put on you.

For Those Who Move Different – The Cultural Layer

The Problem: Leaders, creators, and players especially persons of color are often expected to be safe by design—controlled excellence, not wild potential.

From Experience: When a system rewards you for being "mature," "coachable," and "defensive-minded," it’s often code for: Don’t shake the structure.

The Strategy: Excellence doesn’t mean you have to dim. Sometimes, their comfort comes at the cost of your greatness.

The Power Play: Be safe enough to get in the room—but bold enough to rearrange the furniture. They might not call it radical until it wins. And by then, it’ll be too late to stop you.

Call to Reflection

• Where have you chosen safety over impact—just to avoid backlash?

• What decision are you stalling on, because boldness might make others uncomfortable?

• Are you building legacy… or managing optics?