Home Runs or Singles? A Leader’s Choice

Today in 1961, Roger Maris broke the single season home run record of the legendary Babe Ruth when he hit his 61st of the season. Babe’s former record had stood since 1927, and had been seen by many as untouchable (Maris’ record was topped 37 years later and has since been eclipsed again).

The home run is a celebrated part of baseball – with one swing of the bat, one or more runs are scored. And since the time of the Babe, both the home run, and the home run hitter have been a revered part of baseball.

Because of the popularity of baseball and the lore of the act, the phrase "home run" has expanded beyond baseball usage to imply a great and fast success.

In baseball, there are two basic offensive strategies. One is building a team of power hitters and playing for the home run or fast win, and the other, what is sometimes called "small ball" or planning to get lots of singles, and through the collective effort, scoring more runs (and worrying less about the big single swing).

Those two strategies can, and have been, translated to business as well. And as a leader, we have a responsibility to realize which strategy we are employing and make sure we build our team, and set expectations accordingly.

So enough with the baseball talk, let’s turn the metaphor into a meaty discussion for all of us as leaders.

Four Implications of the Home Run Strategy

It only takes one. One swing and one play can make a big difference. Make the right decision or implement the right ideas and you might change your organization’s destiny very quickly.

Each one makes a big impact. One home run idea could change everything, and if you have two – well the sky may be the limit.

Beware the glamor. Home run hitters think they can hit one every time they come to the plate. Once you or your team have hit one, you may start to think that every idea is a home run, and move forward too quickly. Remember the ball that doesn’t quite clear the fence is usually a long out.

Power hitters strike out a lot. Not only will many well-hit balls/ideas not quite make it, it is a well-known fact that power hitters strike out a lot. If your strategy is to find the big idea and solve the big problem, it may take many tries (and therefore you’ll experience many defeats/mistakes) before you get there.

Four Implications of the Singles Strategy

It takes a team. One person and one idea don’t change the world, which means a team is needed, and every member of the team is critical to success. This requires building a complete team, but also engages those on the team because they know their contribution can make a difference.

It reduces risks. Since you aren’t betting the whole business on each idea and each project, you spread the risk our further. With a singles strategy you spread the risk and don’t expect every project and every action to make the big difference.

One may not be enough. Since we aren’t swinging for the BIG idea, we’ll need lots of ideas, each building on the other, to help us reach our goals. However, even when you are playing for singles, sometimes you get one out of the park.

Discipline is needed. The singles strategy is about quantity, so more ideas will be implemented, more ideas considered, more processes put in place. This strategy won’t win immediately, but may, if implemented with discipline and focus allow for victories to come over and over in the future.

Your Choice

I’ve opened up the conversation about how you want to view, support and expect people to make decisions, solve problems and innovate. From this starting conversation, it is up to you to look at your team, your culture and your expectations (as well as your personal preferences and personality) and decide which strategy suits you, your organization and your environment most effectively.

Teams have won with the long ball, and teams have won with a bunch of singles too – the question is which do you want to support and develop?