Many years ago, I wrote a book titled Smiling in the Cube, which served as the inspiration and precursor for this “Resilient Worker” blog. In one chapter, I tell the story of a baseball outfielder who called for the ball on a short pop fly. And then just let the ball drop at his feet. While I wrote the initial story to illustrate the importance of a moral compass, I think it equally speaks to accountability and effort in our own lives.
Back in high school, my good friend was trying out for shortstop on the baseball team. It was a competitive tryout and it all came down to the last scrimmage. Final cuts would be made after the game and there were a number of positions up for grabs.
With the score tied in the ninth inning, the other team had a player on second base with two outs. One more out and the game was over. The opposing player hit a short, weak fly ball to shallow left field. My friend backed up from the shortstop position and tracked it down.
Suddenly, the left fielder came flying in and waved him off.
“I got it! I got it! I got it!”
My friend deferred and let the left fielder handle the routine fly ball. Game over.
But after screaming for the ball, the left fielder froze and the ball fell harmlessly at his feet. Now it was game over in a different way.
When the left fielder stepped up and called for the ball, it didn’t just impact one person. It set off a chain of events that impacted the entire team. And when he didn’t follow through, the entire team suffered. It underscores the importance of accountability and resilience in team sports. And it provides a message for our work and personal lives as well.
When you say “I got it”, you gotta get it!
Our Words Have Meaning
In our work lives, it’s all about accountability. As salespeople, we can’t commit to bringing home the deal, and then passively sit back while someone else drives the action. As managers, we can’t vow to protect our staff and then sit on the sidelines while our team takes fire. As entrepreneurs, we can’t promise our investors we will weather the storm and then give up at the first sign of adversity. We are operating as part of a team. Our actions have consequences. Our commitments matter. Our words have meaning.
When we say “I got it”, we gotta go get it!
We Have to Follow Through
In our personal lives, the same principles apply. As a parent, we can’t claim to be the disciplinarian, and then idly sit back when our son or daughter acts inappropriately. As a spouse, we can’t commit to being the breadwinner and then give up when the job becomes difficult. As a son or daughter, we can’t promise to take responsibility for a parent and then sit on our hands while the situation deteriorates. We have to honor our commitments. We have to take our promises seriously. We can’t just let the ball drop at our feet.
Resilience is Built on Effort
But what happens when we say “I got it”, and despite our best efforts, we don’t get it? We take charge of the sale but the client backs out of the deal. We look for innovative ways to overcome our shrinking market share but our company still fails. We try multiple ways of earning income but the bills still outpace our revenue. We try to discipline our children but they still act out. We can control our effort and our intentions. But we can’t control everything.
There is no shame in failing if our actions mirror our words. Resilence is not built on results. Resilience is built on action and effort. Even if we are not successful, our effort builds confidence like a muscle. It allows us to take on the next challenge. And eventually, as long as we stay true to our words and intentions, we will win in the end.
If the left fielder dove for the ball and came up short, there would be no shame. That is just part of the game. Sometimes we fail even when we pour our hearts and souls into an endeavor. That is okay.
But we have to put forth the maximum effort. We have to follow through with our commitments. We have to realize that our promises impact other people. We have to be accountable for our actions. That is what it means to honor our team. That is what it means to honor our family. That is how we stay on the path of resilience.
If you say “I got it”, you gotta get it!