Baseball is a great example of working with failure. Did you know that baseball scoreboards display the number of mistakes made by each team? As if making the mistake was not embarrassing enough, it must show on the board as well. Another example is that the best hitters are unsuccessful 7 times out of 10 attempts at the plate. That’s right; a hitter with a .300 batting average is considered an all-star player. Baseball players pocket millions of dollars from failing more than succeeding. In 2019, Los Angeles Angels star player Mike Trout earned $33 million, which is a payout of approximately $70,000 per at-bat. That year he struck out a whopping 120 times. But his failures did not stop him; by accepting the Oops moments, Trout stayed focused and was able to crank the ball out of the park 45 times.

Whether it is playing baseball, becoming a circus artist or putting together a winning team, you must create an environment where failure is accepted and encouraged. You should even celebrate the mistakes. I am not suggesting throwing a party for every bad performance, but bringing in some silliness can help athletes relax and learn to play with mistakes.

André put forth the Oops concept in a brilliant, yet unusual way. One of his childhood heroes was Patof, a clown he idolized on TV. Patof would get in trouble from making blunders and getting caught in slipups. But he would always find a way to bounce back.

André integrated the Oops principle within the national baseball team in creative fashion. After games, the whole team shared their nominees for the best Oops moment of the game. The winner had to wear a T-shirt André had made with Patof’s face printed on it. It was always a funny moment. The concept caught fire. Highlighting the Oops moments, and having a good chuckle about them, created a positive relationship with mistakes. The impact of failure was lowered thanks to Patof. The concept also influenced the team culture. Athletes took more risks and were not afraid of criticism.

From time to time, André would award the T-shirt to coaches so players understood that staff members made mistakes as well. This entertaining post-game debrief was not only about showcasing the Oops moment but also providing an opportunity to come up with lessons learned for the whole team. It became a fabulous team chemistry booster as well.

Welcoming, accepting and celebrating failure must be part of your coaching philosophy. Acknowledge and recognize all efforts and attempts taken by athletes, even if they led to mistakes. That is how teams grow. You do not win games by playing safe. Success comes from going for it. To use a baseball analogy: you cannot steal second base by keeping your foot on first base.