This past weekend, pitchers and catchers started reporting to Spring Training. I started to think about the makeup of a successful baseball team and how similar it is to crafting a winning team in business.
Pitchers are on the mound for a reason.
Maybe they have a rising fastball that hitter’s can’t catch up to, or a breaking ball that freezes a batter’s knees and drops right over the plate for a strike. Maybe they pitch because they love the mental aspect; one-on-one, pitcher against hitter. Most likely they pitch because they’re passionate about the position and have taken the time to develop themselves into masters of their position.
What pitchers don’t do, is compare themselves to center fielders.
Center field is a fundamentally distinct role, with a different skill set necessary to play the position. Center fielders are typically the quickest on the team, having to cover the largest area of any of the outfielders to track down fly balls. In addition, they are expected to have a much more prominent role in the offense in comparison to pitchers. However, center fielders are not expected to strike out batters like pitchers are. While both play unique roles with different objectives, both positions are instrumental to the team’s success.
Team or Assembly Line?
Some companies assemble their teams in the likeness of a baseball team. The mindset is that everyone should play the role they are passionate about and meant to play.
Others try to put together a team like an assembly line at a car factory. The mindset is that everyone should be as similar as possible, so that they can be interchangeable.
Most baseball managers don’t try to make a shortstop into a catcher. Most GM’s would hesitate to take a Gold Glove left fielder and put them at second base.
Ask yourself
Is your company putting players in the positions they want to play?
Is your company trying to make a shortstop into a catcher?
Are you creating a culture where your pitchers are comparing themselves to your center fielders?
Think about winning the game and then think about your team. Look for players that you’ve put in the wrong position. How can you use your people’s talents and skill sets more effectively?