There’s a rule that applies on the basketball court that can also be applied in the workplace. It’s called the 95% rule, and this is how it works.
About 95% of the time that they’re on the court, basketball players don’t have the ball in their hands. And yet, they’re always thinking about how to get the ball and, more importantly, they’re thinking about scoring.
Some coaches believe the real value is not in how well players perform the 5% of the time when they have the ball (although that is important), but how well they play the other 95% off-ball. There are many ways in which players contribute to the game beyond scoring, whether it’s transition running, rebounding, help-side defense, taking charges, setting screens or diving for loose balls.
Players can become too fixated on the 5%, which can lead to inconsistency and emotional highs and lows based on shooting performance. But importantly, players have control over how they spend the other 95% of their time. Why not focus on being great in all aspects of the game?
The 95% rule applies to the basketball court, but it can also be applied to leadership. Teaching teams to understand that everything they do contributes to positive outcomes is a great way of taking the pressure off always looking for the most tangible successes. Work life is full of highs and lows, and employees should keep the 95% rule in mind when they are experiencing them.
The 95% rule is an opportunity for teams to recognize that all of their work has a significant impact on those around them—colleagues, customers and even bank examiners. That means consistency and effort are essential. Are you timely with a customer email or phone call? Did you get your part of a project done to the degree asked? Did you ensure the compliance disclosures were given in the appropriate manner? Were you intentional with your feedback to a peer?
What kind of effort are you putting in throughout the day, week and month? We’re all entitled to have a bad day, but how you respond on that bad day is what really counts and could mean the difference between a satisfied customer and a customer complaint. A strong, consistent work ethic can lead to greater leadership and career advancement.
Leaders will often talk about “the bigger picture,” and the 95% rule is complementary to that. From small tasks to major projects, how you approach your work reflects your capabilities and will affect your long-term career success. It’s OK to not always be the game’s high scorer. The assists, blocks and steals are also key to giving the team a winning record.
