There’s a wonderful story about how Pat Summit, the great Tennessee Lady Vols basketball coach, would handle halftime with her team. She would let the team, led by their captain(s), go into the locker first without her. The team would go to the chalkboard and make 3 lists: What Went Right, What Went Wrong, and What Needs to Change.
Then Pat would come in and look at their lists. She might make some changes and provide a few comments. But she never did this before she reviewed the team’s lists. You see, she wanted to make sure that she and the team saw the situation the same way, before she gave and directions or advice. She realized that if they weren’t on the same page, if they saw the situation differently, her coaching ideas weren’t going to help the situation. (She learned this, by the way, by making the mistake in the past of not checking with the team first.)
Leading from bad assumptions usually only makes the situation worse. But how many of us do what we need to do to ensure our teams have the same picture, the same understanding, of the situation we do? Or do we blinding charge ahead with our plan based upon how we see the situation?
A ‘damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead’ attitude doesn’t help the situation; and as leaders we lose credibility, trust and respect from the members of the team.
Pat said she often gained a new perspective and learned things she didn’t know using this approach. The team could also make adjustments at halftime that could turn the game in their favor; and since the ideas were theirs they were far more committed to make them work.
Pat Summit had her approach to make sure she and the team saw their situation the same way. How do you ensure you’re aligned with your team? Do you ask the members of your team how they see things? Do you ask them how things can be improved or what the most important problems or issues are? Do you have this activity as a standard part of your leadership approach?
Leading without assumptions can significantly improve the performance and results of your team. Try it today.
