By Jillian Broaddus and Chuck Cusumano
A few weeks ago, we watched the Philadelphia Eagles score a decisive victory in the 59th Super Bowl, a culmination of a pretty dominant season highlighted by record-breaking stats, star performances, and – last but not least – some great coaching decisions.
While we’ve written a handful of blogs on leadership lessons we’ve gleaned from football, including the rationale to “never punt,” the critical importance of teamwork, and tips on execution, we have a new topic that we think is equally key to success: the need for a time out!
Think about it… Any winning team uses their time outs strategically: to slow down, to regroup, to make adjustments, or even to switch momentum. No team goes from kick-off to the final whistle without utilizing these sacred breaks. And just like the Eagles, any high-performance organization knows how to do the same.
Although it seems we’re always working at lightning speeds, with multitasking and efficiency glorified in today’s work world, there can be just as much value in pausing the action. Here are our best recommendations for when your team may need a “time out”:
When you need to realign: Have there been miscommunications? Do your team members seem unclear on the objective? If so, it might be time for an opportunity to pause, regroup, and get completely aligned before hitting the “play” button.
When morale is low: Just like a defensive time out that serves to halt the momentum of the opponents, your team may benefit from a pause when things aren’t going your way. Take a break from the action to re-energize and shift the mood, so your progress is backed by positivity.
Before a big play: Do you have a daunting initiative that could use another planning break before launching? The best teams know that the biggest plays require your best efforts, and your best efforts are given after a strategic pause.
When you need to catch your breath: Sometimes, your players simply need to let their heartrates subside before your next move. When burnout is prominent, consider a break!
As legendary basketball coach and wise wordsmith John Wooden once said, “Be quick, but don’t hurry.”
If you need help planning your “time outs,” please reach out to us at hello@thejoshuagroup.net.