PASS THE BATON = SEQUENCE CHUNKING

"Feet and knees together!" It's a command ingrained in every U.S. Army paratrooper from the moment they step into Airborne School. As a former Jumpmaster, I was required to enforce this command to paratroopers before every jump. This seemingly simple instruction, essential for a safe parachute landing fall (PLF), serves as a fundamental building block in preventing injuries. Yet, like many basic steps, it can be so deeply embedded in practice that it risks being overlooked—until the consequences of neglect become painfully clear.

This concept parallels the experiences of the U.S. men’s 4x100 relay team, which has consistently faltered in Olympic competitions due to dropped batons and botched handoffs. Since 1995, the team has faced 11 disqualifications or bans, underscoring how critical it is to perfect the basics. Just as a paratrooper who ignores the "feet and knees together" directive risks repeated injury, so too does the relay team face failure when it neglects the fundamentals.

As my good friend and former supervisor from Temple University’s U.S. Army ROTC program, Paul Riley, a retired U.S. Army officer, posted on social media:

"The definition of insanity is failing the same way every time and expecting a different result. The men's 4x100 team has botched so many handoffs during the Olympics that it is almost habit. It's embarrassing. We have the fastest sprinters in the world, but the worst baton handlers. I have an idea to stop the insanity. Pick six very good sprinters (not the top sprinters) and have them practice together for the next 4 years. I bet they would perform better than the crap show we put on during this Olympics. Please stop the insanity at the LA24 Olympics!"

- Paul Riley, LTC (Retired), U.S. Army

Riley’s sharp critique captures a fundamental truth about High-Performance Teams (HPaTs): even the most talented individuals can falter if they fail to master the basics. His suggestion to focus on a dedicated group of sprinters who consistently practice together underscores the importance of cohesion, practice, and perfecting the fundamentals—key elements in any high-performing team.

In relay races, the phrase "pass the baton" refers to the critical moment when one runner hands over the baton to the next. This exchange is pivotal to the team's success, and a flawless handoff ensures that the team's momentum continues uninterrupted. Metaphorically, "passing the baton" means transferring responsibility or tasks smoothly from one person to another, ensuring that efforts and objectives are carried forward without disruption.

A paratrooper who fails to execute the "feet and knees together" step correctly and ends up with a broken leg is as useless to the mission as a relay runner who drops the baton during a race. In both cases, individual ability means nothing if it cannot be transformed into productive, or in this case, superior results collectively.

Just as paratroopers must execute the basic PLF with precision to avoid injury, so too must the relay team perfect the handoff to succeed on the world stage. This is where the concept of Sequence Chunking becomes invaluable.

Sequence Chunking: A Dimension of High-Performance Teams

Sequence Chunking is the process of breaking down complex tasks into smaller, manageable actions that are practiced and executed as a cohesive sequence, enabling teams to respond with precision and agility in high-pressure situations. Sequence chunking is a key dimension of High-Performance Teams (HPaTs). It involves breaking down complex tasks into manageable, repeatable actions, much like military battle drills or rehearsed plays in sports. These sequences, refined through practice, allow teams to respond with agility and precision, particularly in high-pressure situations.

For the U.S. relay team, effective sequence chunking should translate into flawless baton handoffs. However, their repeated failures suggest a lack of cohesion and adaptability in these fundamental sequences. As Riley points out, even the fastest sprinters in the world are rendered ineffective if they cannot execute the basics with consistency. His suggestion to focus on training a dedicated group of sprinters for four years highlights the importance of practice and cohesion—key components of sequence chunking.

Examples of Sequence Chunking in Various Professions:

• Musicians: A pianist practicing scales and arpeggios to build muscle memory, allowing them to perform complex pieces fluidly during a concert.
• Doctors: Surgeons rehearsing specific procedures, such as suturing or laparoscopic techniques, ensuring precision and efficiency in the operating room.
• Firefighters: Fire crews drilling on hose deployment and rescue maneuvers, enabling quick, coordinated responses during emergencies.
• Pilots: Pilots repeatedly simulating emergency landings in flight simulators to prepare for real-life critical situations where every second counts.

Sequence Chunking is one of the critical dimensions identified in Dr. Michael Woody's research on High-Performance Teams. The other dimensions include:

• Participative Leadership: Promotes a democratic approach where team members feel valued and empowered to contribute to decision-making.
• Collaboration: Ensures proper dissemination of project details and fosters tight interpersonal relationships that enhance teamwork and efficiency.
• Respect Each Other and Appreciate Differences: Successful HPaTs honor differences between team members, embracing diversity and removing inequality.
• Trust: Serves as a conduit of confidence that enhances cohesive bonds through periods of risk and adversity.
• Teamwork: The interdependent existence of individuality and communal unity, where each member is personally invested in the team's success.
• Sense of Urgency and Focus: Drives the team to perform efficiently and meet goals swiftly, maintaining a high level of detail orientation.
• Conflict Resolution: The ability to manage negative group dynamics and restore a sense of fairness, justice, and morale.
• High Morale: Connected to productivity, high morale in HPaTs generates a willingness to go above and beyond to stay part of an elite group.

Excellence in the Basics is the Key to Success

The U.S. relay team’s repeated failures and Riley’s critique highlight a fundamental truth for High-Performance Teams: mastering the basics is essential. Whether it’s a paratrooper executing a PLF or a sprinter passing a baton, the ability to perform these basic tasks with excellence is what separates successful teams from those that falter.

For HPaTs, the key to success lies in perfecting the fundamentals through strategies like sequence chunking, combined with participative leadership, collaboration, trust, and effective conflict resolution. These teams must continually adapt and refine their practices to maintain their edge, ensuring that they achieve their goals in a manner that is inclusive, ethical, and sustainable.

In high-stakes environments, where the cost of failure is high, the most successful teams are those that never lose sight of the basics. By doing the fundamentals with excellence, they not only achieve their goals but do so with the consistency and reliability that defines true high performance. After all, what good is individual brilliance if it cannot be harnessed to produce superior results collectively?

About Dr. Michael Woody

Dr. Michael Woody (Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army Retired) is the founder and CEO of Three Six Zero Leadership, a leadership consulting firm. Dr. Michael Woody is an expert on High-Performance Teams, Toxic Leadership, and Leadership Development. Learn more about Dr. Woody at https://www.high-performanceteamhpat.com/. Message Dr. Woody here on LinkedIn to have him speak at your event.