Play Ball! Twenty Thought-Provoking
Coaching Questions from the Baseball Field
to Help You Succeed at Work and in Life4
For those of us who love the game, baseball is more than just a sport. It’s a way of life. A part of our language. A lens through which we view the world. And a training ground for innumerable valuable lessons in leadership and in life. So much so, in fact, that as the French historian Jacques Barzun famously put it, “Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball, the rules, and reality of the game….”
For example, when we ponder why it is that more Major League Baseball managers previously played catcher than any other position, the answer to why that is provides us with insights that we might apply to our own workplace. Can you guess the reasons why?
The only position to be facing “outward” rather than “inward,” catchers are uniquely positioned to see the entire playing field at once, giving them a singular, big-picture perspective; they are involved in every pitch of the game and need to always be strategically thinking a few steps ahead. Responsible for “calling the game,” they often act as the on-field general, and they need to develop the technical skills, the communication skills, and the people skills to handle a pitching staff. In short, they need to be “on the ball” at all times.
All of this trains them to think and to act as a coach, a manager, and a leader. So, with this “catching analogy” in mind, you might ask yourself: What “catcher-type skills” do I need to develop to go from player to leader? What am I doing today that’s grooming me for tomorrow?
Continuing the baseball analogy: In the office you might need to consider such common questions as: Who on my team could I ask to “pinch-hit” for me when I’m too busy or unable to perform; when might I need to “sacrifice” for the good of the team; or when do I, perhaps, need some “relief” in terms of bringing in someone else to help seal the deal and “close” out the win?
When we have two strikes against us—whether on the field, at work, or in life—we need to have the wisdom to know when to bear down, choke up, and just try to make contact rather than swinging for the fences. To be able to recognize the difference between when we’re needed to be the hero vs. when what’s really needed is for us to just find a way to get on base and let someone else drive us in. “Get ’em on; get ’em over; get ’em in.” When you’re part of a team, that’s what it’s all about…in baseball, in business, and in life.
All in all, our great American pastime has, over the course of our lives, “coached” many of us to think about and get better at a wide range of work- and life-related skill sets, including time management, communication, innovation, strategic thinking, management, leadership, teamwork, and so much more—all while enjoying some peanuts and Cracker Jacks (with the hope of finding a good prize inside!).
Both on the field and off, whether we realize it or not, baseball has become an inescapable part of our everyday language:
• “Let’s touch base next week.”
• “That marketing campaign was a home run.”
• “The new guy is really on the ball.”
• “I really struck out with that proposal.”
• “Can you give me a ballpark estimate of what it’s gonna cost?”
• “That last-minute client request came out of left field.”
• “Your suggestion was a grand slam!”
So even if you don’t play professional baseball for a living, or even if you are not a baseball fan, when challenged to “hit it out of the park” in your work or personal life, I encourage you to take a shot at answering the following questions by taking a baseball perspective.
But before you slide head-first into answering the questions below, take a moment to think about some of the key personal and/or professional goals you’re currently trying to reach and consider how, by exploring these random questions through a baseball lens, you can increase your odds of circling the bases and scoring the winning run:
• The First Base Perspective: What is the first milestone you need to achieve?
• The Second Base Perspective: How will you get yourself into scoring position?
• The Third Base Perspective: You’re almost there; what’s next?
• The Home Plate Perspective: What is your most immediate goal?
• The Batter’s Box Perspective: Where do you need to take a stand?
• The Base Line Perspective: How will you know if you’re going in the right direction?
• The Outfield Fence Perspective: What would “knocking it out of the park” look like?
• The Pitcher’s Mound Perspective: Where could you use a new point of view?
• The Baseball Bat Perspective: What tools do you need to get the job done?
• The Pine Tar Perspective: What are you going to do if you get in a sticky situation?
• The Batting Gloves Perspective: How are you going to get a grip on things?
• The Baseball Cap Perspective: How do you keep your head in the game?
• The Spikes Perspective: Where do you need more traction?
• The Baseball Mitt Perspective: What opportunities can you reach out and grab?
• The Catcher’s Mask Perspective: What realities do you need to face?
• The Hitting Coach Perspective: What adjustments do you need to make?
• The Third Base Coach Perspective: What signs do you need to pay attention to?
• The Pitching Coach Perspective: Who can help you get ready?
• The Umpire’s Perspective: What rules do you need to play by?
• The Fans’ Perspective: Who’s rooting for you to win?
While there are plenty more where these came from, these metaphorical questions from the baseball diamond, like a ballpark hot dog, can provide you with some valuable food for thought and help you to focus your attention on some of the key questions you may need to ask. And as you work towards building a championship team and a winning season, it may be valuable to keep posing and seeking to answer these questions as you continue in pursuit of your own Field of Dreams, wherever or whatever that may be.
Play ball!
In Review
The Big Lesson: When it comes to metaphors, few topics are more popular or more common in American English than those from the world of baseball.
The Big Question: What are some other baseball metaphors, not mentioned here, that you can think of? What metaphors from other sports—or other walks of life—are commonly used? And what perspectives and questions might they offer?
Your Big Insight:
Your Big Action: