Are you familiar with the term “the Mendoza line?” It’s an expression in baseball that divides an acceptable batting average from a poor one. Over the Mendoza line (.200, although Mario Mendoza’s batting average was actually .215) and you’re still in the game, but if you’re under … let’s just say you’d better be an ace pitcher.

With the upheaval in our lives lately, it’s been a challenge to keep all the balls in the air — never mind hitting them. So why am I talking about baseball? My daughter Petra played ball in a college showcase last weekend and I saw her go 7 for 10 — which included a beautiful home run hit to center field. She’s improved dramatically over the past two months and her batting average has soared.

Two reasons: consistency and risk taking.

The more you hit … well … the more you hit.
Petra’s been hitting every day, working with a coach to improve her swing. She practices far more than she ever did and that’s contributing to a more consistent result. She has fewer pop-up mistakes and far more line drives out into the field. Incidentally, do you know the difference between a player who bats .250 and one who bats .300? Just one more hit a week.

If the count is 0–1 or 0–2, you gotta swing.
When you’re down in the count, you can’t sit back and hope the pitch is good. You have to go for it. You might strike out, but you might not. Keep swinging. As Derek Jeter says, “You have to have a short memory. Learn from your failures, but don’t sit around worrying about them.”

Ok, clearly these principles apply to more than just baseball. And I’m sure some of you know more (probably far more) about the game than I ever will. That said, I know this: there are lessons we can take away from this or, frankly, any sport. The more we apply our knowledge and expertise — and the more we continue to test and hone our craft — the better we’ll be. The more (calculated) risks we take, the more we’ll yield in the long run.

And, if you’re a coach as well as a player, here are a couple of extra tips to help put your team in the “catbird seat.”

Be ready for curveballs.
When it comes to thriving in challenging times, resilience is a magic maker. Anticipate potential issues and have back-up plans in place. Investing in employee education, upskilling, and reskilling can help your business adapt to an ever-changing landscape. And don’t forget the power skills that can make or break you in times of real disruption: agility, communication, problem-solving, and adaptability.

There is more than one “I” in team.
The team matters more than any one superstar, but every employee has the potential to shine. Make sure they have the tools they need to find their sweet spots. Mendoza himself was considered one of the finest shortstops in the major leagues. They didn’t call him “Silk Hands” for nuthin’.

And finally, maybe most of all?

Every day, play a brand-new ball game.
Whether the day before felt like a major league loss or a World Series pennant, it’s your job to go out and give it another try. Put on the uniform, take the field, and walk to the plate with your head held high. Then, keep your eye on the ball, and take your best swing.

I watched my daughter do just that last weekend. And yes, in case you couldn’t hear from the video, I’m an incredibly proud fan/mom.