Is Your Business Swinging a Torpedo Bat? βΎπOvercoming Resistance to Innovation for Peak Scaling
Scott Adams
April 1, 2025

In the relentless pursuit of a competitive edge, the sports world π and the business arena π’ share a common thread: the constant need for innovation. Examining why statistically superior methods are sometimes resisted in sports offers valuable lessons for business leaders looking to break through plateaus and achieve exponential growth. Let's explore how these parallels can help your company scale effectively.
The Parallel Between Sports and Business
The drive to optimize performance is a shared goal in both sports and business. In sports, this manifests in the evolution of techniques and equipment. Consider two compelling examples:
- The Torpedo Bat βΎ: This baseball bat, with its unique design featuring a thicker sweet spot closer to the hitter's hands, offers statistically proven advantages. Statcast data indicates a potential increase in swing speed of up to 3 mph π¨, translating to increased exit velocity. However, despite these advantages, adoption across Major League Baseball has been limited.
- The Underhand Free Throw π: In basketball, the "granny style" free throw, while biomechanically sound and potentially leading to higher success rates (with some experts suggesting improvements of up to 20% for poor free-throw shooters π―), remains a rarity in professional play.
These scenarios highlight a critical question: Why do demonstrably better methods face resistance π€, and what does this tell us about scaling businesses? β
Barriers to Adoption: In Sports and Business
Both sports and business grapple with similar barriers to adopting innovative approaches:
Psychological Barriers π§ :
- Fear of Failure π¨: Just as a player might fear ridicule for using an unconventional technique, businesses often shy away from innovation due to the fear of financial loss π° or reputational damage π.
- Status Quo Bias π°οΈ: The tendency to stick with familiar methods, even when better alternatives exist, is prevalent in both domains. "That's how we've always done it" can stifle progress on the court and in the boardroom.
- Loss Aversion π: The pain of a potential loss often outweighs the allure of an equivalent gain. Businesses may overemphasize the risks of a new strategy while underestimating the potential rewards.
- "Not Invented Here" Syndrome π : The bias against external ideas can lead to missed opportunities, whether it's a baseball team dismissing a new bat design or a company ignoring valuable market research π.
Cultural and Organizational Resistance ποΈ:
- Tradition and Norms π: In sports, deeply ingrained habits and the pressure to conform to traditional styles (like the overhand free throw) can hinder the adoption of superior techniques. Similarly, businesses can be constrained by outdated processes and resistance to change.
- Ego and Image π: Athletes may avoid techniques perceived as "uncool" or "weak," as seen in the reluctance to use the "granny shot." In business, ego and the desire to maintain a certain image can also impede progress.
- Lack of Understanding/Awareness π€·: Sometimes, people simply aren't aware of the benefits of new approaches or don't fully understand the data supporting them.
Scaling Lessons: From the Field to the Boardroom π’β‘οΈπ
The resistance to the torpedo bat and the underhand free throw provides a powerful analogy for the challenges businesses face when scaling:
- Missed Opportunities π«π―: Just as a baseball team might miss out on scoring more runs by sticking with traditional bats, businesses can miss out on market share π and revenue π° by failing to adopt innovative strategies.
- Inefficiency βοΈπ: The underhand free throw's higher success rate highlights the potential for increased efficiency with unconventional methods. Businesses that cling to inefficient processes limit their growth potential.
- Failure to Adapt π¦β‘οΈπ±: The sports world is constantly evolving, and those who fail to adapt get left behind. The same is true in business. Companies that resist change risk becoming obsolete.
- Suboptimal Performance π: Ultimately, resistance to better methods leads to suboptimal performance, whether it's a lower free-throw percentage or a failure to achieve scaling goals.
Your Playbook for Scaling Success π
To overcome these barriers and achieve sustainable growth, businesses must:
- Embrace Data and Evidence ππ¬: Like the data supporting the torpedo bat, businesses should rely on data to inform their decisions and challenge assumptions.
- Challenge Conventional Wisdom π€: Be willing to question "how it's always been done" and explore unconventional approaches.
- Prioritize Results Over Ego π₯β‘οΈπ―: Focus on what works best, not on maintaining a particular image or clinging to outdated practices.
- Foster a Growth Mindset π±π§ : Cultivate a culture of experimentation π§ͺ and learning π, where failure is seen as an opportunity to improve.
Conclusion
The parallels between resistance to innovation in sports and business are undeniable π€. By understanding and addressing the underlying barriers, businesses can overcome the status quo β‘οΈ, embrace unconventional strategies π‘, and achieve true scaling success π.
About Adams Consulting Firm
Adams Consulting Firm is your strategic partner for exponential growth π. We empower founders, investors, and businesses in the healthcare π₯, wellness π§, and sports tech π sectors to achieve peak performance and sustainable success.
If you're ready to scale your venture and implement innovative strategies, let's connect π.
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