Yesterday afternoon, my husband and I went to a local high school baseball tournament. As I watched the games, I realized there is a great correlation between a baseball coach and a leader coach in the workplace.
Before each inning, the coach gathers his players and delivers a brief message of encouragement, sometimes sharing a strategy on how to deal with a particular hitter they will face in this inning.
As your employees arrive for work each day, are you welcoming them? Are you prepping them for the day’s work? Perhaps a reminder or two about big project or sharing some new information about a competitor or a market trend?
During the inning, if his team is in the field, the coach is clapping, encouraging the pitcher, sending signs to the catcher, making sure the players in the field are in the best defensive position for each play. As great plays are made, he cheers for them; when an error is made, he tells the player it’s OK, focus on the next play. The teammates remind each other that they will “pick ’em up,” meaning, they’ll make up for the error.
Throughout your day, are you encouraging your team members? Are you making sure the right skills are applied to the right task? Are you making defensive adjustments as needed? Are you cheering their hard work and good results? Are you fostering an environment where team members will “pick ’em up” if an error is made?
When the team is at bat, the coach stands nearby, giving signals to the batter and baserunners. He advises the batter whether to watch a pitch, bunt, or swing away. The coach lets the baserunner know if he should hold, advance or attempt a steal. He cheers each hit, each run, and coaches a batter who strikes out on how he might be able to change his swing next time. Sometimes, the coach might argue a unfair call with the umpire.
Are you available for your team as they work each day? Do you observe their work and offer support or guidance as needed? Are you developing strategy with them, then helping them implement it? If someone makes a mistake, do you help them see a better approach for the next time? If your management team has made a bad call, are you (appropriately) trying to help them see a better outcome?
At the end of the game, the coach always gathers the team to review the game. He talks about what the team did well and what they need to improve. He acknowledges individuals who made an exceptional contribution. After the team meeting, the coach may pull an individual aside who struggled at bat or made a defensive error to talk about it privately.
At the end of the day, or the end of a week, or as your team completes a major project, are you reviewing it with them? Are you talking to your team about what went well or what could be done better? Are you offering one-on-one support to team members who may need a little extra development?
After a game, the coach often walks over to thank the parents for coming to the game. He knows how much their support means to the players. The coach knows that sometimes, he asks a lot of his players and their parents, and he acknowledges them for it.
When you have the chance to meet the family members of your employees, do you thank them for their support? Do you tell them how happy you are to have their spouse or parent on your team and what a great contributor he or she is?
The coach is usually the first one to arrive at the game and usually the last one to leave. He is the example of commitment and leadership for his team members. Sometimes, especially in youth ball, the coach is preparing the field, bringing the equipment, and providing the water. Whatever the team needs to be successful, the coach makes sure they have it.
Are you at the office when your team arrives? Do you make sure that whatever tools your team members need, they have it? Are you modeling the best behavior? Is your team’s success utmost on your mind? How do you coach your team to their best possible season?
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Eleanor Biddulph is the Executive Vice President of Client Services at Progressive Medical, Inc.
She can be reached at [email protected]
Image Source: baseballpracticetips.com, gtalumni.org
