Making Assumptions

We all do it-we make assumptions about situations in life and more often than not its not true or backfires. An assumption occurs when we take something for granted without proof. Over the past several weeks we have all watched the baseball playoffs. As you know, many assumptions have been made by announcers, critics and fans about all the playoff teams. Here are a few that I heard:

• Jonathon Broxton is unhittable. Perhaps he is at Dodger Stadium. The announcers on TBS said all the Dodgers had to do was get to Broxton and the Phillies would be toast. Broxton walks Matt Stairs, hits Carlos Ruiz and allows a walk-off hit to Jimmy Rollins in game four of the NLCS.
• CC Sabathia will get the Yankees off to a good start. He pitched ok, but gave up two home runs to Chase Utley (see below). The Phillies went on to win 6-1 and took the lead in the series (it has since been tied).
• Chase Utley is worn out and creates a hole in the Phillies line up. Mr. Utley hits two home runs in his first two at bats against Sabathia.
• Jonathan Papelbon doesn't lose at Fenway Park. He gave up two runs in the eighth inning of game three and blew the save and game in the ninth as the Angels swept the Red Sox.

In baseball, every situation is different. The playoffs are pressure packed and unless you look at the situation in its entirety, you may miss something that will change your thought process. In each case above, there were variables that the pundits missed causing them to make an assumption that was incorrect.

Isn't this true in life and in the workplace. We make assumptions all the time about a person, department, management. Often, it is a cover up for your own failings and creates the blame game. Look at each situation in a new light. Analyze all the variables and give people the opportunity to react in their own way before you burden them with your opinion. Assumptions do make an a_ _ out of you and me. Do yourself a favor-stop making them!

Training Camps Are Not Just for Football Teams

All over the country, pro football camps have opened. Every team and their fan base is excited with the prospects of a winning season and trip to the playoffs. Bloggers and fantasy fans are preparing for the drafts that will come in early September. Just like the Spring, optimism runs wild.


Here in Philadelphia, all the television stations are running Eagles Training Camp specials. There is a real ebb and flow to the daily sessions. Their first draft pick signs but the middle linebacker is out for the season. McNabb looks good but the defense is struggling. All the reporters are breathless looking for a scoop. All Andy Reid wants to do is prepare his team for the season and take a look at the new players to see who stays and who goes. He is creating the foundation for what he and the team hopes is a successful season.


When do you and your organization work on your fundamentals? When do you have your training camp? My guess is you don't. Some of you have annual retreats that certainly help with team building. Some of you refresh your plans. Some of you start from scratch and claw out a vision, develop a SLOT analysis (Strengths, Limitations, Opportunities and Threats), and goals and objectives for the year. All this is critical to an organization's success. In my experience, less than 10% go to "training camp" each year. This is the time to be thinking about it. Get your team away for a couple of days and take a critical look at your organization. Take the time to prepare now rather than after the first of the year. If you do it right, it will take a couple of months of prep work to ready yourself for 2010 and finish 2009 on a positive note. Think of it as pre-season exhibition games! Time spent now preparing for 2010 will guarantee you'll be ready on January 2nd. Don't leave detail planning to football teams-get your team ready for the season ahead.