It is possible to play tennis with one ball but it’s not very fun. You’re going to spend a lot of time, walking around the court, picking up the ball after each serve or point.
It makes a lot more sense to play with a few balls in your pocket. The flow of the game is much improved. It’s no surprise that you find tennis balls, sold in stores, in packages containing at least three balls. It’s a no brainer.
So why is it that this principle is so accepted on the tennis court, yet rarely seen in the corporate arena? Too many leaders are metaphorically playing tennis with just one ball. Consider these examples:
You Downsized
Cutting costs by cutting staff makes sense to a certain point but it can also create long term problems.
You can choose to play tennis with one ball and get by okay. But what happens if an overly enthusiastic serve launches the ball onto a nearby roof. Then you can’t play anymore.
A lot of companies slashed their staffs to the point that there is no depth. If something happens to the only person who knows how to do a specific task, then your operation halts. That carries a price that may be greater than the salary of the person you downsized.
You Bought Cheap Balls
Not all tennis balls are the same. Some feature differences in the felt covering or a tighter seal. At the professional level, new cans of tennis balls are reportedly opened every nine games. I have a hunch that Serena Williams will notice if she’s playing with a cheap tennis ball.
In your organization, the pros are your top performers and the balls are their support staff. Did you hire the cheapest, least experienced people to fill these supporting roles? Is it any surprise that your top performers aren’t performing so well anymore?
When you hire with an eye on quality, as opposed to price, you usually get a better outcome.
People Don’t Want to Play with One Ball
If you play with only one tennis ball, you don’t play a lot of tennis. Instead, you chase the ball between serves. As a result, it will take you longer to become a better tennis player.
Meanwhile, you look on the next court and see people playing with lots of balls. Suddenly, you’re envious because you now know the game can be played a different way.
If your business drowns people in busywork, like chasing a single tennis ball, then will it be a surprise if they decide to leave? There’s often a competitor in need of the same position but with a more productive environment.
“Let them go,” you may say. That’s a common way to think about employee retention but remember that studies have found that replacing someone will cost you at least 20% of that person’s annual compensation and there’s no guarantee that the new employee will work out.
If you want to raise your organization’s game, then you need to think about employee retention and development. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself in search of someone who’s so desperate to play tennis that he or she will gladly play with one ball. Does that sounds like a winning team?
If you enjoyed this post, you’ll love the chapter in my book, Stuck on Yellow, that’s about The Rainy Cubicle. It’s a great productivity lesson for you and your team.
