If you want to be a superstar employee, you will want to emulate the actions of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler on the day of Game 5 of this year’s World Series.
The Dodgers held a three games to one lead over the New
York Yankees in the best-of-seven series. Buehler had started and pitched excellently
in Game 3 and was scheduled to start Game 7 if needed.
Superstar Principle #1 – Anticipate Future Opportunities
That morning, Buehler determined that despite throwing 76
pitches two days before in Game 3, his arm felt good enough to pitch that night
in Game 5 if called upon.
In order to be ready for superstar opportunities, you must anticipate those opportunities. Buehler’s forward-looking mindset mentally prepared him for the task, just in case.
Superstar Principle #2 – Communicate Your Value And Availability To The Organization
Upon boarding the team bus, Buehler made his availability
to pitch that night known to his manager and team executives.
They all chuckled at his offer, one executive even rolling
his eyes. It would be ridiculous and risky to have Buehler pitch in this game.
He had thrown 76 pitches just two nights ago and would be needed to start a
crucial Game 7 if the series went that far. At that point, it would have been
difficult to even imagine a scenario where Buehler would be called on to pitch.
Buehler’s chances of pitching in Game 5 were almost nil.
Superstar Principle #3 – Stay Focused When Others Don’t Share Your Vision
When his bosses dismissed his offer, Buehler emphasized he
was serious. He explained that he could, in fact, be needed if things get
"wonky." His manager even used an expletive to reject the possibility
when Buehler pressed the issue.
Sometimes, you’re the only one who anticipates the future
circumstances. Don’t let the doubters and short-sighted people knock you off
course.
Superstar Principle #4 – Be Visible in a Positive Way
This was also accomplished by Buehler’s volunteering to pitch when no one thought he would be needed.
The Game Begins
Incredibly, when the Dodgers fell behind 5-0 early in the third
inning, the probability that Buehler would be called on to pitch actually
decreased. There was absolutely no chance that Buehler would pitch in a game that
the Dodgers might lose by a large margin.
Then, two factors combined to change everything. Instead of
conceding defeat, Dodger Manager Dave Roberts used numerous relief pitchers to
keep the Yankees from scoring more runs. His strategy worked brilliantly when
the Dodgers rallied to score five runs in the fifth inning to tie the game.
However, Roberts's moves came at a high cost. He sent his last reliable relief pitcher into the game with two outs in the sixth inning. With still three innings to go, he would not have an effective relief pitcher to finish the game. He was going to run out of trusted pitchers before the end of the game. Using Buehler’s term, the game had gotten wonky, incredibly wonky.
Superstar Principle #5 – Be Proactive – Don’t
Wait To Be Told What To Do When An Obvious Problem Needs To Be Solved
In the seventh inning, Buehler, who had been in the dugout, told Roberts he was going to the bullpen and would be available to pitch in the game. A television camera showed Buehler staring intently into the dugout, his face begging for the opportunity to begin warming up.
Superstar Principle #6 – When Given The Opportunity To Shine – Seal The Deal
Somehow, after throwing a season-high 42 pitches over 2 and
1/3 innings, that last reliable relief pitcher finished out the eighth
inning with the Dodgers clinging to a 7-6 lead. Who will pitch the critical
ninth inning to save the game and win the World Series? Well, it’s the person
who saw the opportunity when no one else did. The person who mentally prepared
himself for the moment. The person who put himself in a position to seize that
opportunity and achieve the team and personal victory.
Buehler needed just 16 pitches to retire the Yankees in
order, striking out the last two batters. Only one pitcher gets to retire the
final batter and close out the World Series victory each season. This year, it
was Walker Buehler. If you want to be a superstar at your company, follow his
lead.
