November 23, 1968. Last minute of The Game. Harvard just scored to draw within 8 points of Yale, 21-29. Everybody in the stadium knows Harvard is going to try an on-side kick. But Yale lines up as if to field a normal kick-off. Turns out they had neither planned nor practiced an on-side kick return play. Turns out Harvard recovers its on-side kick and goes on to win The Game 29-29.
As you’re onboarding into a new job or bringing someone into a new job, there are some plays that you know you’re going to have to run at some point. Make sure you’ve planned and practiced them. Here’s a partial list:
Offensive plays:
– First meetings with key stakeholders
– First team meeting
– Getting the team aligned around a shared purpose or imperative
– Milestone management
– Jump-starting early wins
– Role sort
– Ongoing communication
Defensive plays:
– Dealing with nay-sayers
– Fixing things with a stakeholder you neglected
– Recovering from a communication goof
– Dealing with bad news
– Delivering bad news
Special plays
– Leaving your last job
– Being announced in new job
– Day one
In the real world, you can’t be ready for everything. When you’re surprised and face a situation you’re not ready for, do not do what Yale did and leave your resources lined up wrong. Instead, adjust your thinking and your resources and make the best of the situation you face. Often, that’s the difference between success and failure, between winning and losing, between Harvard and Yale.
George Bradt – PrimeGenesis Executive Onboarding and Transition Acceleration
