I am not trying to stir up things here. I've said my piece re: McGinn and I see no point in repeating it.
But I do have a question, partly for you Shawn and partly for anyone else here who has experience coaching/leading teams. The question is this:
How do you go about assessing a player's effort when he's not on the field. In particular, how do you assess his commitment during those times when he's "on the sidelines" in practice and others are taking their reps?
I ask the question in all seriousness, because I've struggled with something similar as a teacher when it comes to assessing "class preparation". When a student is talking (i.e., "on the field"), I find it pretty easy to see who is prepared and who is not. Particularly after you've seen the quality of a student's performance over time. You recognize who is making honest mistakes after having done the reading, and who is just a talker who thinks he can mask his lack of preparation by talking and "asking questions". (Such students seem particularly unaware how revealing of a lack of preparation the 'I'll ask a question" game-playing can be.)
But how do you assess the preparation and attentiveness of those who prefer to sit quietly. Or who listen with their eyes closed. Or who listen without frantically scribbling notes?
I was always such a student. And I often liked to sit in the back of the room. And in fact it bothered me when the professor interrupted my attention by asking me too many questions. It still does. I'm far more productive as a scholar when people aren't interrupting my concentration and asking me to talk.
Of course, not all quiet types are well-prepared. The back of the room also often has a number of slackers in it.
But how do you go about telling the difference?
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)