Leadership Lessons from the DugOut

Adjustments are Key to Success!

In both baseball and leadership, our first attempt at something new rarely goes perfectly. In fact, sometimes it fails completely. But the real problem isn’t the failure itself. Failure is part of learning—we’ve talked about that before. The real problem is failing to adjust.

Progress comes from the adjustments we make after things don’t go as planned.

In baseball and softball, the best hitters separate themselves from average players not because they never fail, but because they adjust faster. If a hitter is late on a fastball, the result is usually predictable: a foul ball out of play. The important question isn’t what just happened—it’s what happens next.

Some hitters step back into the box and simply hope they time the next pitch better.  But hope is not a strategy.

Better hitters make adjustments. They might shorten their stride or eliminate it altogether. They may start their load earlier so their body is ready sooner. They might challenge themselves in practice by facing higher pitching speeds so the game begins to feel slower. Through trial, failure, and repetition, the adjustment eventually becomes second nature. The same principle applies in leadership. Many leaders struggle the first time they encounter certain situations. Maybe it’s delivering tough feedback to a direct report. Maybe it’s holding someone accountable for poor performance. Maybe it’s navigating a difficult conversation where emotions are running high. These moments rarely feel comfortable the first time.

But leaders who improve treat these moments the same way great hitters treat an at-bat—they reflect and adjust.

After a difficult conversation, it helps to pause and think about what went well and what didn’t. What would you handle differently next time? What questions could you ask earlier? How might you manage the emotional side of the conversation better?

Leaders who take a few notes after these moments create a powerful learning loop. Over time, those reflections turn into better judgment, better timing, and more confidence.

Leaders who simply “wing it” each time often find themselves repeating the same mistakes.

But leaders who adjust grow stronger with every experience.

Hard work matters. Effort matters. Preparation matters.

But in both baseball and leadership, the real separator is adjustment.Good leaders work hard.