The Sideline System: Leveraging Instant Feedback for Team Development
We spend our Friday nights on the sidelines of Farmington Football games. Our oldest son, Titus, was persuaded to be the kicker this season. We cheer for every PAT, field goal, and kickoff, like you have never heard!
Something intrigues me every game. They have a big screen TV on the sideline and when the defense or offense comes off the field, they go straight to the TV to see a bird’s eye view of what just occurred. At first, I felt a little bad for the players having to watch any mistake they just made, but, as the season continues, I love what the coaches are doing.
Friday evening, I asked Titus how coaches leverage the tool. The head coach says his number one goal is to build character. Character is built through what we do when no one is looking and what we do when everyone is looking. On that screen – nothing is hidden. Each player has role and a task. The team relies on their teammates to execute on that task to help the team perform. When a player doesn’t do their job, the team struggles. Right when they come off the field, coaches help the players game plan on how to overcome the same mistake on the next play so they can improve; and coaches learn to call better plays. Teenagers are learning how to see their mistakes, to be called out for their mistakes and go back into the game to fix their mistakes week in and week out. These teenagers are learning how to be resilient and continue to perform.
The players get better when:
There is transparency to the team.
There is effective coaching to every player on the team.
There is commitment from the players to the team.
The sideline system is built for instant feedback to develop the team. Organizations and leaders might take notes. I’m not advocating for a replay after every team meeting. I am advocating for consistent and constant conversations on what went well, what didn’t go well and how we can improve. What if you developed a sideline culture of coaching and accountability?
Have you dealt with or seen any of the following?
Team members fearful of being caught for making a mistake?
Team members executing a plan for code without making sure it’s going to consistently work?
Team members ignoring the strategic plan and going rogue making everyone’s life harder?
Team members fearful of calling others out who end up exhausted while wasting valuable time and resources?
Mangers too fearful to address a mistake and so the mistakes continue?
Let’s take some notes from the Farmington football sidelines and create a culture of growth and development. Could you imagine team members walking up to you and asking for feedback because they want to improve? Could you imagine every manager coaching their coach to keep developing without waiting for quarterly or annual reviews?
At Insight Leadership Group, we provide coaching and facilitation with a proven track record to help create a culture of ownership and accountability through effective coaching. If you agree with the problem, but don’t know how to fix it yet – let's talk!
In the meantime, give Titus a shout on Friday night!
