Staying Relevant
Yet another intersection of sports and business
Why do some athletes have brief moments of greatness but others persist for 20 years? Why do some founders consistently find success while others have one big winner then fail to replicate it? Why are some VCs able to generate exceptional returns throughout a range of technology eras but others are effectively one-hit wonders?
I think the ones that stay relevant consistently do two things: love the process of pursuing greatness, and continuously evolve their edge.
LeBron James, now 41, talks about his love for the process of playing basketball at a high level keeping him relevant.
Jamie Moyer played professional baseball until he was 49 and at the time of his final game had the most wins, losses, and strikeouts of any active MLB pitcher.
In Moyer’s case, staying relevant for so long meant finding an edge any way he could, even when his physical talent had diminished. From the Society for American Baseball Research:
“Moyer’s changeup could make his low-80s fastball look like a high-80s fastball. Besides changing speeds, he kept hitters off balance by constantly moving the ball up, down, in, and out. The crafty lefty also used psychology to his advantage. He often approached the batter’s box in between pitches and talked to the hitter. “As a hitter, that would drive me crazy,” said Boone, “but as a teammate I loved it.”24 The unusual tactic was one example of Moyer getting an edge any way he could.”
The similarities between athletics and entrepreneurship abound. Markets change. Talents evolve. Networks grow and shift. But if you want to stay relevant, one needs to love the process and consistently evolve their edge.
And of course, have fun doing it!