I must admit I was nervous. It’s actually kind of silly. I have worked with kids for years. Why was I nervous about coaching my first T-Ball game? Somewhere around 3PM I lost complete focus at work. All I could think about was the game. And really, the only person who probably cared was me. The kids just want a free coke and some form of sugar after the game and the parents just want to watch their child run around the field and yet, I was nervous. I kept reminding myself, ”It is just a game.”

I am pretty sure I was more worked up than anyone one the field. I wanted to see if the plans to recapture the team after our meltdown would work. I wanted to see if the “Flywheel Effect” was universal truth. I wanted to see how the kids responded to the changes. I wanted to see if my line-up would work.

I will not keep you in suspense. We had a great game! Before I continue, I need to be completely humble. It was not me. The kids were great…I had a number of parents who stepped up…and the opposing team was pretty laid back. Nevertheless, it was a great game. More details in a minute. Let’s talk about mechanics.

If you remember, Collins said the “Flywheel Effect” was a simple truth: “Tremendous power exists in the fact of continued improvement and the delivery of results. Point to tangible accomplishments-however incremental at first-and show how these steps fit into the context of an overall concept that will work. When you do this in such a way that people see and feel the buildup of momentum, they will line up with enthusiasm.” Here are the basic changes we implemented to reach for results and create enthusiasm.

We started with ownership. We tried to create more ownership a few games back by taping their names to the bench. We took that simple step and juiced it up! We printed large 11×14, full-color name placards. These were hung in their batting order in the dugout. The kids felt extra special and in turn took a bit more pride in sitting in their seat and keeping track of their equipment.

As I mentioned in T-Ball Leadership Part 3, the kids were not really seeing any tangible results. Yes, they have hit the ball or made an out, but without keeping score, how does that translate into results? So we instituted the “Star System.” We told the team that they were going to be rewarded for good plays in the field, strong at bats, paying attention, sitting in their spots, working together and running the bases. We would place stars on their name placard for every time they performed well. The goal was to accumulate fifteen stars to become an all star and receive a cool prize.

They could now see the results of a good play. After each inning we met outside the dugout to pass out stars. That was the best part of the whole night. Not only were they sharing their good plays with excitement, but they were also pointing out their teammates good plays as well. By our last meeting, I didn’t even have to say anything. The kids were pointing out all the “wins.”

An effect of our new system that I did not anticipate was what it did to the parents in the stands. They were more into the game and very supportive of every player on the team. I heard support coming from the bleachers throughout the entire game. They were excited for their kids and were noticing the change, the new momentum of the team.

I have always believed that you have to work extra hard for the great things. Great things don’t come easy. In the middle of the second inning I thought the wheels were about to come off. I had a parent enter the dugout and say that they were going to take their child off the field. I was told of their displeasure of the entire season and many unmet expectations. To be honest I just wanted to say, “I am the dugout dad! That’s all. I didn’t want to coach. No one else volunteered. The coach is gone and gave me the team. Yell at him.” I collected my thoughts and tried to think about how to address this parent to give them confidence that we were moving forward and the kids were having fun.

Before I spoke I glanced at her child’s name placard. It was covered in stars. Results and enthusiasm create momentum. So I began to share with her what we were trying to do with the team and how her son had already responded and was showing great improvement. I even pointed out the stars to her. While we were talking, a ball was hit past our second baseman and right toward her son in right field. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. He put his glove out and stopped the ball and made a good throw to the pitcher. All the coaches were singing his praises. He was beaming from ear to ear. I have to admit I wanted I wanted to give the parent a big, “I told you so.” Results speak for themselves.

All in all, it was a good night. By the time the game was over each player had accumulated at least fifteen stars, their attention stayed in tact and I was horse. It was fun watching those four year olds get the most out of their T-Ball experience. It was even more fun reviewing the results after the game and listening to the cheers as we shared the total number of stars each player had earned. They were all so proud.

I have to say, it was a lot of fun doing what little I could to make the team better. It was nice to see a plan work. It was exciting that the “Flywheel Effect” was shown to be a universal truth. So coaches, managers, leaders…here is the application.

By making your teams feel appreciated, important and special you can increase their ownership and buy-in to what you are trying to accomplish. It doesn’t have to be elaborate gimmicks or programs. Simple acknowledgement and encouragement goes a long way.

By communicating the desired results and the rewards that accompany those results you immediate create a target or goal for each team member. Clarity is crucial. There is nothing more debilitating than ambiguous plans. It can stifle a team quicker than just about anything. But if you give clear purpose, you can create a sense of ownership, desire and freedom that will more than likely produce the results you are looking for and then some.

Let me just say a bit about rewards. It doesn’t matter if you are four or forty-four; you like to be recognized for a job well done. Are you bribing them…I guess you can say that. But I don’t look at it that way. I look at it as simply saying thanks for going above and beyond. And by rewarding results, you make a statement to your entire team of what is expected and what happens if the target is hit. Don’t ever under-estimate the power of rewards. It can be money, time off, a simple plaque, a lunch with the boss or even glow-in-the-dark Silly Puddy. Well, I wouldn’t suggest that for people over four feet tall.

Another practical step that was applied was continually reinforcing our desired results. Some may call that their mission or vision. Either way, throughout the game we took a few minutes to point out our goals again and again. They were repeated five times during the game. Each player was reminded continually of what was expected of them. When we did need to correct a player, we re-focused them by reminding them our goals. It even worked on an upset parent.

Each of these steps led to capturing our desired results and building enthusiasm. And in turn, each of them combined led to us creating more momentum.

Will this momentum carry over to the next game? I hope so. I wish we had more than one game remaining to see what would happen if we were able to apply this principal over a few weeks. I am convinced that we would see incredible results. I don’t have any evidence to point to my hypothesis other than personal experience.

My son Silas, or as he is known on the ball field, Dirt, is asking each day if he has a game. He is excited about playing. He can’t wait to get back on the field. We have had his name placard on the refrigerator all week. This is the first time all year he has shown interest in anything other than the dirt. Hence his well deserved nickname.

The steps are fairly simple. Most principals usually are simple. The hard part is carrying them out each day in your environment. Put the “Flywheel Effect” to practice in your world and see if you can create more momentum.

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