Taking down fences

Take home message

It is not change for changes sake. Measured change is the key.

For Coaches

Applying innovation may be a skill worth developing.

For Athletes

Change is good, but make sure it adds.

Don't ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up.  
Robert Frost, American Poet and four-time Pulitzer Prize.

I cannot remember the first time I heard this quote, but it was a very long time ago and has stayed with me. I think it has helped shape my approach to innovation. That quote may sound negative, as though it is anti-progress, but that is not my interpretation at all.  I believe this form of wisdom is a warning.  A reminder of caution before action.  Consideration.

Competitive sport is… well, competitive.  Athletes and teams are always searching for the edge.  An improvement.  A way to do it better.  Currently, I am fortunate to work with a group of players and coaches who rarely pat themselves on the back.  No sooner is a match or training session completed and the focus is how can we do it better, rarely what did we do well.  And I’m very cool with that.  It’s about growth and development.  Chasing the leader and staying ahead of the pack.

In my sporting experience, coaches and athletes want to improve.  A technique, a program, a process or protocol.  They want to get better.  Some are not always willing to pay the price, but that’s a different matter.  However, I feel that striving to improve, or seeking innovation as well as being a personal quality or characteristic, it is also a skill that develops with experience.  I can appreciate the counter argument that those who have been around a long time, may be stale or resistant to change.  Or defend change when it appears to threaten their belief or their “fence”.  However, I feel that people who are naturally innovative and seek improvement enhance this skill, this awareness of how to innovate.  The longer you have “been in it”, the more you know what can change and importantly, what you have already changed and why.  You also know how to suggest, influence or drive change. 

And that’s the fine line that younger coaches are challenged with as it sounds like, “We do it like this because we always have”.  That’s the fence.  To a young coach it’s a barrier of an “old timer” that needs to be taken down.  Yet that young coach, in the rush to instigate change, to demonstrate initiative, or stamp their mark, they may be unaware of why a process is in place.  What happened for “that particular fence to be put up”. 

The fence, or process, may seem counter intuitive.  Not best practice.  However, it might be a perfect fit for that team or culture and allow other processes to run smoothly.

My advice to young coaches is to be innovative.  I think it is an important quality to reflect on a result and see where you can tinker and improve.  To see areas of growth and opportunity.  It may even be observing how others perform the similar task.  But make sure you understand why the fence was put up before you tear it down.