Sometimes decisions just don't work out as planned. For those of you that watched the Patriots-Colts game last night, you know what I mean. Bill Belichek, the coach of the Patriots, made a decision to go for a 4th and 2, from the Colts 28 yard line, with only 2 minutes left in the game, and the Pats were winning.
Crazy call? Bad decision? Hindsight says yes it was. However, it is a decision that Belichek made earlier in the year, and many times in the past, and it turned out to be a good one. However, last night, the Colts defense held. Colts scored four plays later and won the game.
Today, the Monday morning quarterbacks are feasting on Belichek. This will probably go on for a few days, and then will be replaced by someone else's bad decision.
If you step back, Belichek's decision was based upon accumulated knowledge and insight from years of coaching, days of planning for this game, gameday performance, and instinct. He used all the tools in front of him to make the decision in a 2-3 minute timeframe. When you think about it, it's only a game. There will be another one next week. And one play does not win or lose a game.
Coaches, managers, CEO's, etc. are all faced with decision-making opportunities many times a day. Some of them have much higher profiles and are watched very closely. Others, just trickle by without anyone noticing. Occassionally, they come back to bite.
Being prepared to make decisons is paramount to making a good decision. Belichek was certainly prepared last night, but it still turned out badly for his team.
The message here today is to always be prepared. You never know when you are going to be called upon to make that game-changing decision.
Mike Kearns
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3 comments:
Nice thought. I always tell the students that I work with to have a plan B. We talk about this in orientation--for financial aid and how to manage study, classes, and life when life does get in the middle of your best of plans.
I think more students need the be prepared speech at least once a month.
Good thoughts. I always tell the students that I work with and those in orientation to have a Plan B--for financial aid and for those times that classes, study, and life seem to become just too much to handle. We know that LIFE does trip up students so often and they don't seem to be able to handle that stress.
I love the "be prepared". I think all new students and even some of the old ones should have the prepared talk at least once a month.
Excellent post - I sincerely enjoyed it.
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