It happens all the time in professional sports. On the final day of the regular season, a handful of teams are on the playoff “bubble.”
These are teams that have not been very good during the season but might make the playoffs if a series of events happen (several other teams losing) over which the team has no control. Usually a team in this position simply isn’t very good.
When fate doesn’t line up like an eclipse for the team, coaches will often talk about how things could have been different if they had just gotten a few breaks. Of course, this comes after a season where there were likely plenty of opportunities to improve but they weren’t taken.
It’s rare that success or failure is defined by one event. Usually the outcome is earned over time. A team’s downfall is not earned on the final day of the season.
In struggling organizations, there are many of these opportunities to change and improve. But that doesn’t always happen, even when it seems obvious that there are problems. Why?
Doing something new seems like too much of a pain, problems are seen as annoyances, and negative trends are denied.
Like a football team with a losing record, getting out a hole is only possible through a Hail Mary pass or some other miracle. At this point you’re relying on luck for success instead of smart, hard work.
As a leader you should know that competency is not always the problem. Most football teams contain highly talented athletes. Talent does not ensure success. Being smart with your talent does.
To Clear the Path, acknowledge weaknesses, take steps to correct problems, and control your destiny. It’s more work than doing nothing and hoping that things will improve. But when your season ends do you want to be second guessing yourself?
