What sports can tell us about planning for the future
Watch our Truth in Two to find out how (full text below).
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FULL TEXT
“You have to have a good cross-over dribble.” My statement was in response to a question about adapting to new or difficult situations. For those times when things don’t go our way, I have three words for us: flexible, agile, and nimble. Develop the quick life-moves of a crossover dribble in basketball or the dexterity of a football player staying just inside the field of play while running down the sidelines.
I love to watch NFL football. One of the most exciting players to see play right now is Josh Allen, quarterback of the Buffalo Bills. He’s 6’5” 240. A great passer. A tough runner. And he is nimble. You can find video of Allen’s exploits everywhere but look in particular for those times when he jumps over a defender who is just about to tackle the quarterback. Josh Allen is a picture of nimble. Quickness wrapped in dexterity, making split second decisions.
Or consider one of the most feared pass rushers of our present era – another Buffalo Bill – Von Miller. Agile is the best word to describe him. Miller’s speed and defensive technique stymies other offenses and sacks opposing quarterbacks with ease. He is so fast he is smooth, he makes the game look easy, the essence of what it means to be agile.
And flexibility is needed for every coach who wants to succeed. My first choice for flexibility in a coach is Andy Reed of the Kansas City Chiefs. Calling the offensive signals and adjusting the gameplan for the next opponent is a necessary skill in a sport that is constantly changing.
In this coming year, when things don’t go your way, think, flexible, agile, nimble. The leader who adjusts to circumstances, to the demands of the moment, who can move quickly within the structure of his or her organizational mission, has a good cross-over leadership dribble.
For Truth in Two, this is Dr. Mark Eckel, President of the Comenius Institute, personally seeking truth wherever it’s found, in leaders everywhere.