In American Football, each of the two teams playing each other is afforded four opportunities, or “downs”, to get a new set of downs or to score a touchdown over their rival in the game. If they don’t obtain a first down or score after three downs, they could kick the ball away so that their rival has to travel a longer distance to also score a touchdown.
It has become conventional wisdom to kick the ball away on fourth down. That conventional wisdom has now been officially challenged. New data suggests you have a better chance of achieving success by going for the first down or touchdown on the fourth down instead of kicking it away. In other words, new data says you should not play not to lose but, instead, become courageous and gamble for victory on the fourth down.
In teaching the LEAD class in workshops around the world, I regularly push my students beyond their regular comfort zones. From all of my work over the years doing this course, one thing I know for sure: — you can’t teach courage, but you can create an atmosphere for people to get it for themselves.
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