While watching a college football game last weekend, a coach had simple advice for his players. They were the underdog against one of the nation’s top college football programs. He told his players, “If we are going to win, avoid strategic mistakes.” A strategic mistake in a competitive matchup in any sport — football, tennis, ice hockey, baseball or basketball — could be one that costs the game, season, match or title. Whether a poorly-timed penalty, interception or a missed communication, strategic mistakes carry a heavy cost. If you were an athlete at any point in your life, I’m sure you recall your coaches saying there are good penalties and bad penalties. Good penalties may save a goal, equalize power or buy time. Bad penalties cost a goal, exhaust top players killing a penalty, or give other strategic advantages to the opposing team. But there is also the saying coined by Wayne Gretzky, “You miss every shot you don’t take."
Often when we hear the word “mistake,” it has a negative connotation and naturally, we want to avoid them or being told we made a mistake of any sort. Team members can be afraid to make mistakes and that can stifle innovation creativity and teamwork. So how do you encourage and trust your team members to take risks, all the while limiting strategic mistakes?