The Elam Ending: Data, Persistence, and a Basketball Revolution

Ten years of determination led Nick Elam, assistant professor and program director at Ball State University and consultant for the Canadian Elite Basketball League, to change the future of a 130-year-old institution: the game of basketball.

In 2007, he realized that over-reliance on the clock in the fourth quarter brought even the most exciting basketball game to a grinding halt. Nick introduced a (literal) game-changing concept based on data and focused on enhancing the excitement of the game's conclusion, which became known as the Elam Ending.

In this conversation, Nick shares how he developed the Elam Ending and the dedicated years of perseverance required to see his vision from concept to the court. He explains the importance of speaking in terms of outcomes, incorporating feedback, and remaining patient in the face of resistance and disinterest—and how these concepts translate into leadership of any type.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How to overcome resistance and disinterest in implementing change
• How to incorporate feedback while staying true to your vision
• How to translate data into tangible benefits