From the Field to the Sky Box

Photo: Kj1595, Arrowhead Stadium (October 27, 2019 - 7), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Coaching is all about helping leaders shift from the “on-the-field” view of their life and business to the 30,000-foot perspective—or better yet, the view from the Sky Box. To be the best version of ourselves as leaders, we need to move fluidly between these two perspectives.

As a Kansas City resident, I’m a Chiefs fan, but the analogy works no matter your sport, whether it’s football, soccer, basketball, or baseball. The true professional knows how to stay fully engaged in the game while also understanding the broader strategy. They’re in the action, but they can also step back and see the big picture.

The best athletes practice this dual focus constantly. They make split-second decisions in the heat of the game, but they also understand how each play fits into a bigger plan. That’s what sets them apart. It’s not just skill, it’s vision.

Leadership works the same way. In our daily work, we’re often so immersed in the “game” that it’s easy to get lost in the urgent, noisy, and immediate. But leaders who succeed in the long run know how to pull back and see the broader field, spotting opportunities, anticipating challenges, and keeping the organization moving toward its vision.

At b3 Remarkable, we help leaders build this skill. We guide individuals in recognizing when to be “on the field,” tackling the day-to-day, and when to step up to the “Sky Box” for strategic perspective. It’s about managing the urgent and important without losing sight of what matters most.

The real challenge for any leader is learning when to shift perspectives—and having the tools to do it well. Whether you’re leading a team, an organization, or your own business, taking time to rise above the noise can be the difference between simply playing the game and changing it.