Think As Inc

PLAYING OFFENSE

March 22, 2010 on 1:13 am | In career coaching | No Comments

The job market is picking up, and more people are actively looking rather than focusing on just keeping their job.  Times like this make clear the necessity of offense.  Good defense may contribute to a win, but even if a team keeps its opponents from scoring, it still has to itself score in order to win.  Thus, success should focus on winning (i.e., offense), not just not losing.

In baseball, you see a lack of offense when a pitcher doesn’t use his best pitch because the hitter might hit it (thus causing a loss), instead of using his best pitch to get the hitter out (thus sealing a win). 

In job searches, you see a lack of offense when people focus foremost on what’s available – what industries are hiring, what jobs are suitable to their skills.  Playing offense requires that you focus foremost on what you want and then focus on getting it.  It’s a risk if your desired industry is not hiring or if you need to augment current skills.  But the win is getting what you want and not just settling.

In careers, you see a lack of offense when people decline challenges – e.g., turn down a high visibility project, postpone a job switch.  Playing offense requires that you take shots at your goals.

In life, you see a lack of offense when people do not follow their dreams.  You may want a different life – a different career, more family time, new friends, a new location.  Playing offense requires that you move in the direction of your dreams.  If everything remains status quo, you may protect yourself against failure, but you also preclude yourself from success.