An Underdog's Margin of Error

“So, D.J., what’s your favorite lesson from the book?”

It’s a simple question I have been asked time and time again since The Xs & Os of Success: A Playbook for Leaders in Business and Life was released last November. The question is fair, but difficult. (I may be a little biased, but I tend to like all 40 of the lessons.) However, there are certain lessons which stand out to me for different reasons and at different times.

As I am preparing for a number of presentations over the next couple of months, there is one lesson seemingly taking center-stage during these tough economic times – Lesson #7, “An Underdog’s Margin of Error.”

Think any of these words below from the lesson describe us as a nation?

The most successful teams are the teams who have the top talent available, the confidence of a champion and the focus of an underdog.

For many reasons, however, these teams rarely exist.

It is obvious that not every team will have the top talent available — in fact, most teams will not. And, of course, without producing any results, having the confidence of a champion can be difficult.

However, there is one thing all teams should work to obtain — performing with the focus of an underdog. Unmatched focus can overcome many obstacles, including a lack of talent, and allow performance at the highest level possible.

The top leaders have a knack for keeping their teams hungry, keeping their teams focused on what needs to be done each and every day to achieve overall success. They focus on every possession, every detail and give nothing away.

When you are the underdog in sports or in business, there is no margin for error. To win, you must take advantage of every opportunity which presents itself to you. Without focus, this is not possible.

Eventually, however, this increased focus will help to produce results, which will lead to the opportunity for your team to have the confidence of a champion. And, finally, it will help lead your team to attracting the best talent available.

It is important at this point not to forget about where you and your team started — as the underdog. No matter what talent you have or what confidence you have, compete as though you are the underdog. Compete as though you have no margin for error. This type of focus is unmatched.

It’s fair to say we – as a nation – stopped embracing our role as the underdog. After all, being the favorite is so much easier on our egos.

Unfortunately, look where it took us.