I am an LSU tiger fan. Saturday’s football game against Alabama was unbelievably exciting as the score was very close and many plays were unexpected.
Les Miles, LSU’s coach, made a call on 4th down and 1 yard to go for the first down rather than the field goal, the safe move. He called a surprise reverse play which worked. The Tigers got the needed yardage and eventually scored a touchdown. They made a two point conversion which put them ahead by seven, enough to win the game.
By going for the first down, Miles and his team were playing to win. They did not play it safe to tie.
They had confidence in their strategy and abilities. They took a calculated risk to go for it.
There is a difference between playing to win versus playing it safe or to avoid losing. There is a time and place for both. Moreover, each has a different intensity, outcome and satisfaction level.
- How do you play in life?
- What strategy does your team use?
- What influences your decision making?
Coach Miles and his team showed courage, passion, guts and belief in themselves. As leaders, these are qualities we can all bring to our game.