The Eye in the Sky Does Not Lie
by Jan Bolick
November 2008
What is a disappointed football team doing this week?
Answer: Kicking, passing, running, catching and running the plays over and over.
But first they watch the video.
"The eye in the sky does not lie." That’s what Rick Steinbacher told me in a Business Class interview a few years ago, when he was Assistant Athletic Director for football operations at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Rick explained that during practice and during games, three cameras film all the action. Afterwards, coaches and players watch it, critique it, then return to the field and go back to the basics - kicking, passing, running, catching and running the plays over and over.
In addition to the "eye in the sky", there’s the stat sheet - every pass, every kick, every snap, every move - that drives decisions about which drills are needed during practice - and who plays on game day.
What is a victorious football team doing this week?
Answer: Same as above.
We all know that the pros, who make million of dollars for passing, kicking, dunking, driving and putting, practice every single day. For hours.
So - why don’t people in business feel as compelled to practice?
As a young salesperson, I remember that whenever the manager asked us to role play, we rolled our eyes. "How many thousands of times is he going to make us do this?", we would say to ourselves and to each other once out of earshot.
Back to the interview with Rick. He told me that as a Carolina player, he knew it was good to practice, but remembers griping to himself about it during his first few years. By his senior year though, he saw the results of disciplined practice and appreciated having been pushed by his coaches. He said, "If you don’t feel like you are being pushed, you are not being coached very well."
Do you want to get even better at what you do?
If so, put an" eye in your sky" and practice whatever it is that determines your success.
- If you are in sales, rehearse presentations.
- If you are a customer service rep, record customer* calls.
- If you are a litigator, rehearse closing arguments.
- If you are in retail, tape customer* interactions.
- If you are a teacher, record* your lessons.
*Note: Check & abide by disclosure laws before doing this.
Even if you are already a pro, your performance will improve. Your results, too.
And if you are the coach, teaching them, nudging them, pushing them to achieve their best - just remember that they might be rolling their eyes now – but they will be thanking you later.
©2007- Jan Bolick, Business Class Inc
Rick was a Carolina football player - class of 1993. He was an inside linebacker, four year letter winner, 30 starts, 307 tackles, Team Co-Captain in his senior year, his head coach was Mack Brown. Rick is now the Associate Athletic Director/Marketing & Promotions at UNC - Chapel Hill.
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