CHANGING YOUR GAME PLAN

Sports enthusiasts would have observed that when a match (especially a big match) has been scheduled, the point of interest is the game plan and formations that the Coaches of the two teams want to execute. This is because from the game plan, analysts can almost predict the outcome of the match. As a result, coaches prepares for the big game, lay out his game plan or strategy for that particular contest.

Before the game begins the Coaches know exactly what they want their players to do and how they want them to respond in certain situations. Players can be skillful and also have their own plans, but they perform best when they follow the game plan that the Coach has prepared beforehand.

It is also noticeable that at half time (during breaks), Coaches tend to review their game plan and apply changes where necessary in a bid to bring about freshness and re-organisation.

Observations have furnished us with the idea that if a team is losing at halftime, such a team will more than likely lose the game if they continue to do what they did in the first half. The great coaches are those who have the courage and the insight to change their game plan to give their teams the best chance of winning in the second half. And the good players are those who respond to the Coach’s tactical change towards achieving success on the field.

In practical life application, it is pertinent to mention that the environments and other associated factors of an organization changes with time and with the outbreak of events in the world. This development necessitates a constant review of game plans and strategies to ensure success in the face of dynamism and change.

Change in game plan is an inevitable part of existence for individuals and organizations and is a factor faced by organizational leaders when dealing with adaptation to a dynamic business environment.  Change in game plans or strategies is a way of changing the objectives of an organization in order to obtain greater success.

Changing of game plan is not something that is haphazardly done. The management of this kind of change involves fundamental operational reviews guided by development of strategies, structures and systems. The management of this kind of change (in game plan or strategies) ultimately requires that people develop not just new skills and knowledge but a whole new way of looking at things.

Changing your game plan demands a whole internal re-orientation, re-ordering of priorities and even the disruption of established relationships. By implication, if changing your game plan will mean reviewing your association, then so be it, so long it yields success in the end.

Changes in game plans often involves radical transitions in life and living, in strategy and structures, in systems and processes, in practices and culture, and as mentioned earlier, in association and relationship.

Most teams and managers in the world of sport today would agree that change has become a constant phenomenon which must be attended to and managed properly if teams are to achieve success.

In organizational context, changes in technology, the marketplace, information systems, the global economy, social values, workforce demographics, and the political environment are all significant examples of changing game plans towards achieving success.

Changing game plans in life is a necessity because situations, circumstances and battles are changing every passing day. David began his battles with bare hands and later to sling and stones. Those were the days when he could not use an armour because he had not proved it. However, when battle formation changed, David became an armour wearing, sword carrying warrior. He changed his game plan.

Maybe the church would do well to follow sports model when it comes to game plans. Doesn’t it seem to make sense that faith communities will always be what they have always been if members continue to do what they have always done?

STEPS TO CHANGING YOUR GAME PLAN

We shall be discussing four (4) steps to changing your game plan, which are noticeable and consequently adapted from the strategic management in sports. These steps include:

1. Observe
2. Reflect
3. Plan
4. Act

To Observe means to appreciate the present situation by asking “what is happening?” Other important and crucial questions that come up at this phase include:

• How is our initial plan working out?
• What part of the plan is working and what part is not working?
• What factors are militating against our initial plans?

It is important to note that observation is not as easy as it sounds. Sometimes, observation goes beyond a one-man show. It could be achieved by:

• Listening to evaluations and appraisals of other people about your efforts, work or initiatives.
• Doing a deliberate audit of yourself, your actions, your projects, your relationships, your resources, your policies and principles, etc.

After observing, the next step is To Reflect on the things you have observed. Here, the crucial questions that may come up include:

• What insights could be derived from our observations?
• Why are our game plans working or why are they not working out as planned?
• What can we learn from the working or otherwise of our initial game plan?

The next phase is To Plan. Once you are clear on what needs to be reviewed or changed, it is expected that you work out how to respond and where to start from. This cannot be done in a clumsy manner, rather there is need to develop a plan.

• Think about what is to be done or what new strategy will constitute the change process
• Think about what machinery is required in sparking the needed change
• Think about the people that needed to be involved for the change to be effective (this is what the concept of substitution is all about in sports)
• Think about how to address the factors that militated against the initial game plan so that they do not stand a chance in the change process
• Prioritize actions
• Work out how to measure what happens going forward (evaluation)

The final phase in our plot is To Act. This is the stage where you implement what you have planned at the earlier stage. At this point, make sure you follow your plans to the last dot, without leaving any stone unturned. Also, ensure that you are flexible enough to accommodate further unforeseen circumstances or opportunities that may arise.

–              At this point, do not forget to take notes because the notes you take today may be helpful in another game or instance. Your observations during implementation will form the basis for further reflections in the future.

Bisi Akande