While visiting family, I was invited to go to a little league baseball game. I know that showing up for a child's performance sends a powerful message of love and support, letting them know their efforts matter. So, on this Saturday morning I was more than happy to go cheer on my favorite player and team. While watching them play, I was reminded of key lessons that come from playing team sports.
The basics matter. When you are starting to learn a new skill, whether in business or sports, focus on the basics to build a strong foundation. Mastering the fundamentals ensures long-term success and allows for improvement over time.
Hone your skills. Consistent practice and a commitment to improvement keeps you sharp and competitive. By refining your skills, you can unlock new opportunities and elevate your performance in (or on) any field.
Show up. Individual commitment matters. You may not win every day (or every game) but tomorrow is another chance. Even when faced with distractions or setbacks, it is the discipline of consistent effort and self-control that turns long-term vision into tangible achievements.
Errors happen – learn from them. Mistakes are the natural part of the learning process, providing valuable lessons for growth and improvement. Instead of fearing mistakes, embrace them as opportunities to refine your approach and strengthen your skills. Hill said the favorite part of playing that day “was making an adjustment that improved my game.” Yea, buddy, I agree that seeing results when you make a change is a great feeling!
Teamwork makes the dream work. Team commitment matters. Collaboration multiplies the impact of individual contributions. Working together by combining individual strengths, staying flexible, and being unselfish can lead to far greater results than what one person could achieve alone. Babe Ruth said, “The way a team plays as a whole determines its success.” By supporting each other, the team becomes stronger and more resilient.
Listen to your coach. From little league to professional sports, athletes depend on a coach to help them improve. I support applying this thinking to business. Having a coach provides guidance and perspective, helping you identify areas for improvement to refine your skills. With their experience and support, you can accelerate your growth and achieve your goals.
Run it out. In this game a batter tipped a ball that the catcher dropped, and the coach yelled “run it out” – so the batter ran to first base and was safe when the ball was overthrown. A mistake, setback or failure is an opportunity to learn and grow. So don’t stop, don’t quit – run it out! True success comes from resilience and the determination to keep going. Perseverance is the key to achieving your goals.
Have fun! Playing for the fun of the game brings out the pure joy and passion that make the experience worthwhile, regardless of the outcome. It’s about enjoying the process, the camaraderie, and the love for the sport itself. In reflecting on my career, my most successful roles were the ones that I had the most fun (and worked the hardest). When you focus on having fun, every moment becomes a win, and the pressure fades away.
These lessons from little league are great lessons for life. The kids that apply these rules to their game could play at university or the major league level someday. Success doesn't come overnight – it is dedication, effort, and persistence that lead to success!
An additional thought: don’t pass an opportunity to show up for the ones you love as it boosts their confidence knowing their achievements are being celebrated by those they care about.
