How Jared Diamond’s “Collapse” Got Me Thinking About Sports Teams This Holiday Season

Over the Christmas holidays, I did something I hadn’t done in years: I picked up a book that wasn’t about sports, coaching, philosophy or performance psychology. Jared Diamond’s Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed had been sitting on my bookshelf for a while, its spine practically whispering, “Read me, I promise I’m worth it!” So, between Christmas pudding and a beachside nap, I finally gave in.

What I didn’t expect was to find lessons about sports teams - yes, sports teams - tucked away in a book about ancient societies and environmental catastrophes. Stay with me here, because the parallels are fascinating.

Diamond outlines five factors that contribute to the collapse of societies. As I read, I couldn’t help but think about how these apply to the rise and fall of great sports teams and dynasties. Here’s the kicker: his framework isn’t just a lens for understanding societal collapse; it’s also a roadmap for coaches and teams looking to build something that lasts - or avoid something that doesn’t.

1. Environmental Damage: How Teams Overuse Their Resources

Diamond talks about societies that deplete their resources, like the Easter Islanders chopping down every last tree. Sports teams do this too - they overuse their star players or neglect their talent pipeline. Think of a team that leans too heavily on a veteran core, failing to develop young talent, only to face a crisis when the veterans retire or burn out. (On a personal level, I saw this with the premier league hockey team I currently coach – they had won three titles in succession and then the team plummeted to the bottom half of the ladder. They hadn’t built their pipeline and they relied on top talent. When they left, and they mostly left at the same time, the team and club suffered.)

Sustainability isn’t just for forests; it’s for rosters, too. Are we as coaches investing in the long-term growth of every player, or are we chopping down our “trees” to win now?

2. Climate Change: When the Playing Field Shifts

Climate change in Diamond’s framework is a metaphor for shifting conditions. In sports, that might mean changes in the league, new rules or evolving styles of play. Remember when basketball teams realised three-pointers were more efficient than mid-range shots, and the entire game transformed? Teams that adapted thrived; teams that clung to the old ways didn’t.

As coaches, we need to ask: are we flexible enough to adjust when the climate of our sport changes? Or are we stuck in traditions that no longer serve us?

3. Hostile Neighbours: The Competition is Watching

Diamond highlights how external threats - like invasions or conflicts - can bring down a society. In sports, this is your rival team, analysing your weaknesses and exploiting them. Think about dynasties like the Chicago Bulls or New England Patriots - other teams didn’t just watch them; they studied them. Eventually, someone cracked the code.

As a coach, I wonder: are we staying ahead of the competition, or are we letting them catch up?

4. Friendly Trade Partners: Losing Key Relationships

In Diamond’s world, societies often relied on trade to thrive. When those partnerships disappeared, so did their stability. In sports, trade partners might be the relationships between coaches, players and support staff. A fractured locker room, poor communication or a loss of trust can be just as catastrophic as losing your best player to a rival club.

Are we cultivating strong relationships within our teams? Are we building a culture where everyone feels valued and connected?

5. How Societies Respond to Challenges: The Leadership Factor

Finally, the most important factor: how a society - or a sports team - responds to its challenges. Diamond explains that some societies saw their problems and adjusted; others doubled down on their mistakes. The same is true for teams.

When things aren’t going well, do we as coaches get stuck in our ways? Or do we innovate, experiment and take responsibility? Leadership is everything here.

What This Means for Coaches

Diamond’s framework isn’t a rigid checklist - it’s an invitation to reflect. As I read, I kept thinking: What are the “trees” my team is chopping down? What’s the “climate change” we’re facing? How can I be the kind of leader who sees the cracks before they become chasms?

I’m sharing this not because I have all the answers (far from it), but because I’d love to start a conversation. What do you think? Have you seen teams rise or fall for these reasons? Are there other lessons we can learn from history and apply to sports?

Let’s hear it. After all, if ancient societies can teach us about sports, maybe we can teach each other how to build teams that thrive - not just for a season, but for the long haul.

Drop your thoughts below. I’m all ears.