A week in and I hope you’ve had some time to check out the World Cup. Aside from the constant droning of those horrible vuvuzelas, it’s been pretty good so far.
As I was watching a game, I had a couple of thoughts about what was going on the pitch and how it related to business. I know – only me, right? But at some point in almost every game you see the ball being passed back and forth without it being advanced. Generally this occurs in the defensive end or maybe in the defensive midfield. Lots of activity, very little being accomplished. Sound like any offices you’ve seen?
We shouldn’t confuse activity for accomplishment, either in football or in business. How many people do you see who seem to be busy all the time and yet never seem to produce very much? In a soccer match, you’ll often see a team which is ahead do this – pass the ball around without purpose – to kill time. I wonder how many employees are thinking the same?
The other thought I had came to me as I watched yet another player hang on to the ball for way too long in his attacking end. Defenders are coming from everywhere to stop him and yet he won’t pass the ball to someone in a better position to strike. How many people do you know who are reluctant to ask for the same kind of help in your place? How many people don’t share information until it’s too late?
Funny what you can learn just watching sports, right? That’s what I’ve taken from watching this week – you?
Consult Keith 