By taking lessons from the dugout, we can better handle change – turning challenges into opportunities, and transitions into a winning season.
Baseball season is here! As I watch my favorite college team move through the new season, I’m reminded of how baseball offers so many lessons on managing change. Coaches are always reworking lineups and tweaking strategies – that’s just part of the game. Same goes for leaders who must continually adjust and prepare their teams to handle the challenges that come with change. But managing change doesn’t have to be overwhelming – it can be proactive, smart, and even fun if you approach it with the right mindset.
Jeff Angus makes a great point about this in his book, Management by Baseball. He talks about how baseball managers continually adjust their strategies to accommodate new players, shifting game dynamics, and unexpected developments. Angus believes good leaders in business need the same mindset, staying flexible and proactive rather than getting stuck in old ways of thinking.
Jim Collins, the author behind Good to Great, adds that effective leadership means facing tough realities head-on and recognizing challenges before they become bigger problems. He emphasizes the “Hedgehog Concept,” suggesting that while change is important, it should align with what your organization does best, what your team is passionate about, and what makes good economic sense. Collins’s idea of disciplined innovation – testing new strategies slowly and thoughtfully – is a lot like baseball managers trying new player positions or batting lineups during practice games rather than critical matchups.
Patrick Lencioni’s take? It’s all about team health – build trust, stay clear, and keep everyone in the loop. For him, strong communication and a cohesive team culture are nonnegotiable when managing change. According to Lencioni, leaders need to clearly communicate why changes are happening and involve everyone in the process to keep the team aligned and motivated.
And there is no shortage of good baseball quotes. Alvin Dark once said, “There’s no such thing as taking a pitcher out. There’s only bringing another pitcher in.” This is such a powerful reminder that once something has happened, you can’t change it – you can only focus on making the next decision count. Leonard Koppett, the famous sportswriter, put it perfectly: “The whole purpose of every decision is to maximize your chances of making the next thing succeed.”
So, drawing from these insights, here are a few practical tips for effectively managing change:
- Stay ahead of the curve. Great baseball coaches always pay attention to the strengths and strategies of their opponents to plan their next moves effectively. They study past games, analyze current performance metrics, and constantly look for subtle signals that can reveal their opponent’s next move. Similarly, successful leaders should continuously monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, and internal developments. By staying informed and alert, we can anticipate shifts and proactively adjust strategies, positioning our organization to not only navigate change effectively but also capitalize on new opportunities.
- Try before you fly. Baseball managers never rush important decisions during high-stakes games. Instead, they experiment with new strategies, batting orders, or player positions during spring training or practice sessions. They observe results carefully, adjusting their plans based on performance and feedback. In business, this means leaders should implement small-scale pilot programs to test new ideas, products, or processes before a wider rollout. Gathering real-world data and feedback allows us to refine our approach, reduce risks, and enhance the likelihood of successful outcomes.
- Keep communication clear and open. A baseball manager who clearly communicates roles, expectations, and game plans helps players feel confident, aligned, and engaged. Coaches regularly discuss strategies openly, creating an atmosphere of transparency and trust. Similarly, we must prioritize clear, consistent communication during times of change. Explain the “why,” share the likely impact, and make space for questions. People don’t need a speech – they need clarity.
- Balance new ideas with stability. While innovation and fresh strategies are crucial in baseball, sudden drastic changes can disrupt a team’s rhythm and effectiveness. Good baseball managers know the importance of balancing innovation with familiar routines and proven strategies, providing stability and maintaining confidence among players. In our companies, leaders should adopt a similar balanced approach when implementing new initiatives or processes. This means carefully timing and phasing changes to avoid overwhelming teams, while preserving essential organizational practices and the core values that employees rely upon for a sense of security and stability.
- Build trust and team spirit. Trust and team cohesion are the lifeblood of successful teams, especially during challenging periods. Coaches focus on building strong interpersonal relationships, fostering a supportive culture, and creating an environment where players can openly communicate, share concerns, and contribute ideas. Likewise, we should prioritize building trust and promoting a strong, cohesive team. Creating opportunities for team collaboration, acknowledging individual contributions, and demonstrating reliability through consistent actions helps teams remain resilient, committed, and unified during periods of change.
As I cheer on the Tigers this season, I keep these insights close. Baseball, with all its strategic shifts and surprises, mirrors organizational life beautifully. By taking lessons from the dugout, we can better handle change – turning challenges into opportunities, and transitions into a winning season.
Greg Sepeda is a former engineering manager and is currently rewired as a management consultant. Connect with him on LinkedIn.