Sometimes old institutions surprise you. When an organization has been around for more than 150 years, it’s easy to assume tradition rules the day. Last year, Major League Baseball reminded us that even the most established systems can be open to innovation.
Players began swinging a bat unlike anything the league had seen before—the “torpedo.” Shaped more like a bowling pin than the classic Louisville Slugger, it shifts weight toward the sweet spot, promising more consistent contact.
I played baseball in my youth, so I can appreciate what it means to hold a bat in my hands and trust it to deliver. The feel, the balance, even the sound when the ball meets the barrel—it all matters. That’s why I’m struck by the willingness of today’s players to set aside tradition and try something that looks and feels so different.
Within weeks of learning about the torpedo bat that Aaron Leanhardt, a former physicist at MIT, created, players across multiple teams were giving it a try. Some stuck with it; others didn’t. But the fact that they were willing to pick it up at all says something: They weren’t afraid to test what might improve their game.
That mindset is just as important in leadership as it is in baseball. We all have systems, habits, and traditions that have served us well. But clinging to them too tightly can blind us to tools and ideas that might make us better. Openness doesn’t mean adopting every new trend; it means having the humility and curiosity to experiment, learn, and adapt.
Never miss a post about leadership, transparency, and trust by signing up for my weekly mailing list, delivered right to your inbox. Sign up here.
The lesson is simple: Age and history don’t have to equal rigidity. Whether you lead a team, a company, or a community, your willingness to try something new can spark growth and inspire others to do the same.
So here’s the challenge: What “torpedo bat” could you pick up this season? What unconventional idea or fresh tool might help you and your team make more solid contact? The only way to find out is to step up to the plate and swing.
