Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 774 Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 2:19 pm Post subject: Ted the Slugger, Part One
Once upon a time there was a baseball player named Ted who came up from the minors and batted consistently 320 for three and a half years. Ted really liked being a star and having other batters asking for his advice. He had his style, he was good and that was that. These were Ted’s glory days.
As pitchers evolved better pitching styles, balls were harder to hit. Some batters adapted new ways to hit off them. Ted kept swinging away, but wasn’t hitting anymore, he was in a slump, not unlike a recession. For three and a half years he bats 220. Ted says he’s in a slump, cites several reasons outside himself and says he’s just below his average for now.
Is he just below his average, or is his new average 270? Should Ted try to learn, and watch the guys hitting 320 and higher or blame the slump and wait for things to get better? Why might it be difficult for Ted to change?
Joined: 09 Dec 2007 Posts: 21 Location: Lathrop MO
Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:48 am Post subject:
I would have to say there are two main things Ted could be battling. Maybe both, maybe just one. What comes to my mind as the main problem is either Fear, Pride or both.
I would guess Ted is either afraid that even with change he won't improve his average or even make matters worse (a lack of confidence that he really can do it). Or, Ted is too proud to admit his way isn't the only way or there are better ways then his today. Ted has after all proven himself in the past, his ways did work, they worked well for him too.
Change is difficult, each one of us suffers at least periodicly as Ted. For me I think it's ussually fear. I believe one of the ways to overcome fear is through success and the confidence gained with it. Now the question becomes how do you gain confidence when the fear grips you hindering your abilities? Perhaps through incrimental steps, baby steps that are easier to take. With each step more confidence can be gained.
Is any of this what you were going for with Ted's story Louis?
It would be good to have some other suggestions on how to over come ones fears and pride or otherwise get Ted out of his slump.
To answer your other questions, I would say 270 is his new average and pride prevents him from admitting it even though it is painfully obvious to others. It would be good to avoid blaming the slump but Ted can blame the slump if he wants, just so long as he notices where to start climbing to get out.
There were two squirels sitting in a tree. One of the them decides to leap to the ground. Now how many squirels are in the tree?
Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 774 Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 5:49 pm Post subject:
Jeff S wrote:
I would have to say there are two main things Ted could be battling. Maybe both, maybe just one. What comes to my mind as the main problem is either Fear, Pride or both.
I would guess Ted is either afraid that even with change he won't improve his average or even make matters worse (a lack of confidence that he really can do it). Or, Ted is too proud to admit his way isn't the only way or there are better ways then his today. Ted has after all proven himself in the past, his ways did work, they worked well for him too.
I think that is an excellent observation. Very often, when a person is scared, they wish to return to the familiar, "This worked well in the past." The problem is, our environment is steadily changing, not too may hunter/gatherers will prosper today
I think much the same may happen in the auto repair field. A shop may have formed in the late 1980's and done well up until 2000. The slow days turn into slow weeks, they are no longer hitting 320. It's easier to see this as a slump, rather than a change of environment.
Jeff S wrote:
Change is difficult, each one of us suffers at least periodicly as Ted. For me I think it's ussually fear. I believe one of the ways to overcome fear is through success and the confidence gained with it. Now the question becomes how do you gain confidence when the fear grips you hindering your abilities? Perhaps through incrimental steps, baby steps that are easier to take. With each step more confidence can be gained.
I find PDSA may be the baby steps you mention, at least for me. Taking change a small dose at a time, lowers risk substantially. Having a systematic approach helps a great deal more. In the end, everything that I have read suggest the best way to conquer fear is by facing it head on.
Jeff S wrote:
Is any of this what you were going for with Ted's story Louis?
It would be good to have some other suggestions on how to over come ones fears and pride or otherwise get Ted out of his slump.
We have had post on the topic, but perhaps more are in order. It seems a topic many folks are not comfortable with.
Jeff S wrote:
To answer your other questions, I would say 270 is his new average and pride prevents him from admitting it even though it is painfully obvious to others. It would be good to avoid blaming the slump but Ted can blame the slump if he wants, just so long as he notices where to start climbing to get out.
The problem with excuses are they are a lot like a narcotic. They might make a person feel better, but things are not improving. As you state, blame doesn't really matter. If a business is loosing money, it has to stop, whatever that takes. There is little place for pride in management.
Jeff S wrote:
There were two squirels sitting in a tree. One of the them decides to leap to the ground. Now how many squirels are in the tree?
Two, deciding isn't doing That's one of my favorites. Thanks Jeff, I appreciate your insight.
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