This week's BIG Takeaway: Help and support build a great culture.
Video: YouTube
"I [don't] got your back." The Atlanta Braves should have taken an improv comedy class.
The context: "Philadelphia Phillies catcher JT Realmuto hit an inside-the-park home run [Saturday] in the bottom of the third inning of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves.
While many were impressed by Realmuto’s feat...others were appalled at the effort displayed by superstar right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. during the play." - Clutch Sports
Realmuto hit a shot to left-center and Braves center fielder Michael Harris II tried to make a play but couldn't.
The ball ricocheted off the wall and sped toward right field.
Braves right fielder, Ronald Acuna Jr. made no effort to help until it was too late.
What we can learn: There might be nothing worse than feeling a teammate (or colleague) has left you alone and out to dry.
Acuna Jr. is possibly the Braves best player. NL Rookie of the Year in 2018 and three-time All Star, there is no doubt he he has tremendous skills.
To stand and watch the play unfold instead of racing to help (go to 1:17) was shocking. Running to the ball regardless of your position as an outfielder is something taught in Little League.
One announcer called him a "spectator."
My take: A cornerstone of psychological safety is knowing that your teammates will be there to support you.
There is a tradition in improvisational comedy called "got your back."
All members of the cast give a gentle hug, a tap on shoulder and say "got your back" to one another as a reminder that this is a team effort.
Sadly, things might have been better for the Braves if they focused more on this simple mindset.
This week's BIG Takeaway: Help and support build a great culture.
Lights, camera...ACTION
👉ONE BIG thing you can do right now
Watch this video with Keegan Michael Key discussing "got your back." Listen for "he saved us."
📢 Our weekly group prompts
Work withyour team or other colleagues to dig deeper into this topic using our simple conversation prompts. Instead of a book club I like to think of this as our "movie-or-TV club."
This week's prompts: 1. Watch the videos (the home run and Key's) and discuss what each person believes to be the key lessons. 2. How do you think the center fielder felt as the play unfolded? 3. How do we build a culture of "got your back?"
Did you know we can design and deliver FREE custom classes, programs and research?
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook was part of a team "realignment," moved from the starting five to the second team. He hurt his hamstring 5 minutes into his first game in the new role; X-rays showed it was his ego that suffered the most damage.
Ego can destroy a team's attempt at creating a psychologically safe culture, especially as it relates to vulnerability and Social Learning Theory; both are part of our SAFETY model.
The San Diego Padres are an interesting case study in risk, notes ESPN writer Alden Gonzalez. The story take a few minutes but is a good read for anyone working in a company or organization.
"All they had to do to make it happen was risk everything."
Speaking of risk, check out this great fake field goal by Central Michigan versus the Akron Zips (great nickname!).
Sometimes risk is easier when everyone is onboard with the play and has practiced their part.
Look for what I call Transformative Conflict in Alabama after their loss to Tennessee. The next practice will most likely be intense - not as a punishment for losing, but as a message of trying to get everyone on the team to push each other to do better.
"The key to the drill is you have to learn from these experiences," Head Coach Nick Saban said. "You have to learn from the mistakes you make."
Do these lawyers have a sense of humor? Andrea Bocellisued an air charter company "over an old, noisy jet."
"In the lawsuit, Bocelli, a tenor who performs around the world, is asking for treble damages." Treble as in three-times or as in high-pitched singing? Please tell me it's the latter and this is great lawyer humor.
That's all for now Thanks for reading and please remember:
We archive our stories and put them here for the world to read so feel free to have a look.
If you have any ideas or feedbackContact me with your thoughts.
Rich Trombetta @trombettarich
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