If you’re a basketball fan, you know how unique the Philadelphia 76ers are and how their history is deeply influenced by "The Process". "The Process" was idiosyncratic for its time and produced wild decisions and moments. JJ Redick, former sharpshooter and current LA Lakers coach, was at the center of a quintessential Process story. Picture a room filled with towering athletes gathered for breakfast. Their entertainment? PowerPoint presentations. Redick's topic: "Are We Living in a Simulation?” He explored existential musings and the bizarre implications of Donald Trump's presidency. This presentation exemplifies the impactful practices that made "The Process" more than just an organizational strategy - it became the team's identity.

Why bring up "The Process" today? Because it’s not just an incredible method for forming a high-performing NBA team; it’s a blueprint any startup can follow for success.

The Sixers, like many startups, faced the challenge of transforming moderate success into championship-level achievements. Unlike markets like LA or New York, Philadelphia couldn't attract top talent based on city appeal. They needed a different approach, which led to "The Process." This strategy, often simplified as losing to gain high draft picks, was much more. It was a mindset that informed every decision within the organization, from management to players.

Former General Manager and President of Basketball Operations of the Philadelphia 76ers, Sam Hinkie.

Sam Hinkie, the mastermind behind "The Process" and a former investment analyst, brought principles from modern business philosophies to the team. Entrepreneurs can learn from these principles, especially the importance of investing time where it promises the greatest return.

The first principle of the Process mindset is valuing time as an asset to be invested for the greatest return. Entrepreneurs often undervalue their time, but it should be prioritized above all. Consider how you spend your minutes to achieve your goals. This principle was crucial for the 76ers, and perhaps was best exemplified by Robert Covington. Signed as an undrafted player, Covington was vastly overlooked but took the playing time he was uniquely afforded in Philly during the losing era of "The Process" to develop his skills, becoming an NBA All-Defensive First Team member in 2018. Similarly, individuals and entrepreneurs must heavily value time to give themselves the best chance at success.

Former Philadelphia 76ers Small Forward Robert Covington

The second principle is playing the long game, prioritizing long-term benefits over short-term gains. What set the Sixers apart during this time is a seemingly fanatical devotion to ONLY making decisions that played the long game, choosing to trust that flowers like Robert Covington would one day bloom over artificially planting a player or coach into the organization that didn’t fit their ethos to earn a short term win. The Sixers' commitment to this led to a historic losing stretch but eventually resulted in a team built for sustained success. Entrepreneurs must adopt a similar commitment, resisting short-term fixes that don't align with their long-term vision.

The final principle of the Process mindset is creating a culture around shared values. For Sam Hinkie's growth-oriented mindset to work, everyone needed to be aligned. The 76ers targeted adaptable players and fostered culture through practices like Coach Brett Brown's reflection sessions, where players reviewed their journey and its impact on the team's story. Activities like JJ Redick’s breakfast presentations reinforced this culture. Without buy-in through storytelling and team-building, even the best strategies struggle to succeed.

While the 76ers haven't won a championship yet, "The Process" transformed them from a mediocre team to a contender. Valuing time, playing the long game, and fostering a culture of shared values can lead to championship-caliber growth for any business.

If you want to dive deeper, there is no better place to start than Sam Hinkie’s Resignation Letter.

Trust the Process