20 Coaching Questions From the Baseball Field That Can Help You to Succeed at Work and in Life

To those of us who love the game, baseball is more than just a sport. It’s a way of life.?A part of our language. A?"lens" through which we view the world. And a playing field for a whole host of valuable work and life lessons.

For example, what position in the field did more Major League Baseball managers play than any other? The answer? Drumroll, please... Catcher! And why is that?

• Catchers?are positioned to see the whole field at once -- facing outward, rather than inward --?giving them a unique, big-picture perspective;
• they are involved in every pitch of the game and always need to be strategically thinking a few steps ahead;
• they often act as the on-field general;?
• they need to develop the?technical skills,?the communication skills, and the people skills?to handle a pitching staff;
• and they need to?be "on the ball" at all times.

All of which?train catchers to think -- and to act -- as a?coach, a manager, and a leader...even as a player.

So, with this analogy in mind, you might ask yourself: What "catcher's skills" do I need to?develop today...to prepare myself to be a better leader tomorrow?

Baseball metaphors are such a common part of our everyday language that we don't even realize how often we use them. For example, you might be thinking about:?

• Who could I rely on to?"pinch run" or "pinch hit" for me if I'm?too busy or unavailable?
• What "sacrifices" might I ned to make for the good of the team...or my client?
• When do I, perhaps, need some "relief" to avoid burnout?
• Who might I call upon to help?seal the deal and "close" out the win?

When we have two strikes against us – whether on the field, at work, or in life – we need to have the wisdom?to know when?to?bear down, choke up, and just try to make contact...vs. when to swing for the fences. We don't always need to be the hero; sometimes it's good enough to just get on base and let someone else knock in the winning run.

Get ‘em on; get ‘em over; get ‘em in.

That’s what it’s all about...in baseball, in business,?and in life.

And, how often do you use or hear any of these baseball-oriented expressions?

• “Let’s touch base next week.”
• “That marketing campaign was a home run.”
• “The new guy is really on the ball.”
• “Will you pinch hit for me at tomorrow’s meeting?”
• “I really struck out with that proposal.”
• “Can you give me a ballpark estimate of what it’s gonna cost?”
• "That last-minute client request came out of left field."
• “Your suggestion?was a grand slam!”

Now, with the new season upon us and with Spring in the air, it’s a perfect time for reflection and rejuvenation in all aspects of our life. And one way to prompt this reflection is by pondering some of the following 20 random self-coaching questions through a baseball lens:

1. The “HOME PLATE” Perspective: What is your ultimate goal...and how are you going to score?

2. The “OUTFIELD FENCE” Perspective: What would “knocking it out of the park” look like for you?

3. The “FIRST BASE” Perspective: What is the first milestone you need to achieve?

4. The “BASEBALL BAT” Perspective: What tools do you need to get the job done?

5. The “PITCHING COACH” Perspective: Who can help you prepare?

6. The “BASEBALL MITT” Perspective: What opportunities might you be able to reach out and?catch?

7. The “BASE LINE” Perspective: How will you know if you’re going in the right direction?

8. The “CATCHER’S MASK” Perspective: What realities do you need to face?

9. The “PINE TAR” Perspective: What are you going to do if you get in a sticky situation?”

10. The “BATTER’S BOX” Perspective: Where do you need to take a stand?

11. The “UMPIRE'S” Perspective: “What rules do you need to play by?”

12. The “SPIKES” Perspective: Where do you need more traction?

13. The “SECOND BASE” Perspective: How will you get yourself into scoring position?

14. The “HITTING COACH” Perspective: What adjustments do you need to make?

15. The “THIRD BASE COACH” Perspective: What signs do you need to pay attention to?

16. The “PITCHER’S MOUND” Perspective: Where could you use a new point of view?

17. The “THIRD BASE” Perspective: When you’re almost there…what do you need to do next to reach your?goal?

18. The “BATTING GLOVES” Perspective: How are you going to get a grip on things?

19. The “BASEBALL HELMET” Perspective: What will you do to keep your head in the game?

20. The “FANS'” Perspective: “Who’s out there rooting for you to win?”

While there are plenty more where these came from (What others?can YOU think of? Feel free to add them in the comments below!), I hope that this sampling of metaphorical questions from the?baseball diamond will get your second quarter of 2024 off to a flying start.

Wishing you a championship season.

"Play ball!"

*This post is an excerpt from chapter 31 of my book, "VisuaLeadership: Leveraging the Power of Visual Thinking in Leadership and in Life "