I wasn't a great baseball player. But in 2008 with the Brewers and 2009 with the Rays, I had my niche. I was an objectively good offensive player versus left handed pitching. I put up a 161 wRC+ versus L in 08. In 09, it was 144 wRC+ with more walks than strikeouts.In 2010, my wRC+ against L was 58.What changed? I was just as physically healthy. I was eating as well. I was … [Read more...]
Grinding It Out
If you're an athlete, there's real value in learning how to "grind it out." However, we should optimize to be at least as equally efficient and measured as we are gritty. I vividly remember a muggy 2002 spring training day in Port Charlotte, Florida. I had come to the realization on that Mid-March morning that my pop (power) was missing in action. The ball wasn't jumping off … [Read more...]
Connection
Connecting with others is one of the most critical things we do in life. It makes sense then to be flexible in our approach to accomplish this communion. Generally, in business and and in life, we value those that work hard, are resourceful and committed to persevering through obstacles. These traits provide confidence that we can stand shoulder to shoulder with another. We … [Read more...]
Failing to Succeed
Striving to avoid slipups isn't noble. Striving to take bold action, knowing that you'll inevitably fail and look foolish, is a strong strategy. Recently, an inspiring colleague of mine shared this with me. Life is a maze and we are mice. We have decisions to make at every fork in the road. We will unquestionably take wrong turns, bump up against walls … [Read more...]
Building a Winning Culture
Building better teammates and creating a winning culture are intertwined. In order to build a long-term, winning culture, it takes months and years of continuous, dedicated, deliberate effort. It's a never-ending commitment to sharpening each other at every turn. The New Zealand All Blacks, the national men’s rugby team, were smacked in the face with this undertaking. They … [Read more...]