Intent vs. Impact

Last weekend during one of our softball games, the atmosphere was a little tense.  We were playing two of the top teams in our division.  We were pumped up and the coach had different position line-ups in place to maximize our talent on the field.  Game one started great and it was a close game.  We played hard, yet came up a few runs short.

Game two started immediately after game one, so we pumped ourselves up again and we were ready to play.  The coin toss was completed and our team was first to bat.  The game began and we were hot.  This was going to be another close game. You could feel the anxiety in the dugout and on the field.  The game was heading towards the last inning and we were only a few runs behind.  It was our turn to bat once again.  Our first few batters had good hits and we scored some key runs.  We were closing in on the opposing team.

During this time, I was coaching 3rd base and we had runners on 2nd and 3rd base.  I had just communicated to the 3rd base runner on what to do next.  One of the teammates behind me in the dugout (we will call him Fred) kept screaming various commands for me to communicate to the runners.  I ignored his commands to focus on the game and the commands continued.  I then asked Fred in a very stern voice to stop shouting these commands.  Knowing the game was close and that we needed these runs, Fred marched out of the dugout walking towards me to loudly state these commands again.  When he approached me, I told him that I had it under control.  

Ignoring my statement, Fred proceeded to jump in front of me and turn his back to take over the 3rd base coaching.  This action prompted me to immediately grab Fred’s shoulder, turn him around, and state in a very loud and demanding tone that I had this covered.  I then pushed him towards the dugout. A few of the other players guided him into the dugout, asked him to remain inside the dugout, and the incident was over as quick as it began.

I have to say that Fred is a great guy, a very good player, and his intentions were in the right place.  Fred wanted to ensure that the runners heard the commands because these runs were very important.  The impact of his actions was negative and this caught him off guard.  I really believe that if Fred thought about his impact on the team by yelling these commands and jumping out in front of me, he would not have done it.  

Very soon after the incident, I put my arm around Fred and apologized for pushing him towards the dugout.  I explained again that I had it covered and the coach asked me to coach 3rd base for a reason.  Fred explained that he just wanted to ensure that the runners were well informed since getting these few runs were crucial.

What was the result of the second game?  We tied the score and unfortunately, the other team was able to score one run to win when they went to bat.  This loss stung us like game one’s loss, because we really could have won both of these close games.  As we know, with every loss comes great learning and growth.

How many times have you done something with the best intentions and it comes back to bite you in the behind due to the negative impact?  I know I can remember a few  incidents when my intentions were good but the impact of these actions were negative and vice versa.

What would the world be like if all of us thought of others more often and the impact of our actions, rather than on ourselves and the intention of the actions?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

“Hell isn't merely paved with good intentions; it's walled and roofed with them. Yes, and furnished too.” ~Aldous Huxley