Blocking and Tackling

In business we use waaaayyy too many sports metaphors — “Keep your eye on the ball.” “We’re in the homestretch.” “Go for the hat trick.” Since football is over until Fall, I’m going to “take one for the team” and write about one sports metaphor that I actually find useful in business. I hope I don’t “drop the ball.”

Every once in a while, it’s a good idea to go back to basics with your team. Regardless of tenure, the fundamental things people need to do to be successful need to be conveyed in a very simple way. I have people that I’ve worked with for 10 years and 10 weeks. It doesn’t matter though because both need a reminder about “blocking and tackling.”

There are two fundamental things you need to learn as a football player — blocking and tackling. (I know this because I was a highly successful pee wee football coach for the Alberta Smith Sharks.) Blocking is about offense. Tackling is about defense. These fundamental things have to be understood, practiced, and done consistently before you draw up a complicated play.

On any given Sunday you’ll see professional athletes, who are paid millions of dollars, miss a block or tackle. Sometimes that one mistake ends up costing their team the victory.

Think about it over the weekend. What are the two or three basic things your people need to do to be successful? Define them. Share them. Practice them. Remind them. Then watch them execute. If they get it, huddle them together and tell them “great job.” If they don’t, have them sit down in the locker room (conference room) and write them up on a board. This reminds the veterans of what they need to do and it helps the rookies know the playbook. 

Business can be complicated. Winning at business shouldn’t be, if your team knows the basics.