When it comes to leading a team, picking the right game plan can feel like you’re standing on the edge of a massive stadium, with thousands of eyes watching your every move. The pressure’s real. After all, you want a win—results that make a difference. The big question is: What playbook should you use? Should you build your strategy step by step like American Football, or keep things on the move, making quick passes and constant adjustments like Football (or Soccer, as it’s called in some places)? Or—here’s a crazy thought—maybe you need a bit of both.
Let’s meet the teams.
Picture the Waterfall approach as a classic American Football team. In this game, everything is mapped out. Coaches plan every down. The quarterback knows exactly where the ball is going long before the whistle blows. Each player has a set role and a clear spot to run to. It’s about strategy, order, and sticking to the plan. Once the huddle breaks, the play unfolds just as drawn up. Sure, it works—most of the time. But when the unexpected happens, it can sometimes feel like you’re wearing heavy pads in a rainstorm: slow to react, stuck in place, wishing you’d planned for a fumble.
Now, imagine Agile as Football (Soccer). On this field, things are always in motion. The ball is live, the players move around each other like a school of fish, ready to change direction in a heartbeat. Here, the captain might suggest a direction, but everyone stays alert, ready to support teammates, cover gaps, and adjust to whatever comes their way. Agile is all about flexibility and fast decisions—you turn on a dime, and your chances spike when everyone understands the “why” behind the goal.
So why do some of the best leaders use a bit of both? Simple—they want to keep the ball moving forward, whatever game is being played. The goal isn’t to be trendy or to pick one side like rooting for your favorite team. It’s about results. When leaders blend the careful planning of American Football with the fluid adaptability of Football, their teams don’t just play—they soar. Here’s where motivation plays a starring role, right up there with skill. Ever notice what happens when players—whether athletes or team members in an office—know exactly what they’re working toward? They push harder. They think smarter. They feel invested in the outcome. When the “why” and “what” of a project are crystal clear, folks move mountains just to hit the mark. If you’ve ever seen a quarterback pep-talk the line before a do-or-die play, you know that kind of energy gets results.
But what about when the field shifts beneath your feet? Ask any seasoned leader: the best-laid plans sometimes fall flat. Maybe the project is humming along, Waterfall-style, when—out of nowhere—a competitor launches a new feature or a client changes the game. Here’s where Agile shines. Like a striker darting between defenders, teams that can pivot, adjust, and keep their eyes on the prize don’t just survive—they win. Of course, that doesn’t mean there’s no place for traditional planning. A football team without a playbook is just a bunch of people running in circles. But sticking to a single style in every situation is a little like wearing cleats to a dinner party. It works—until it doesn’t.
The best leaders know how to empower every player on their team. Whether you’re the seasoned quarterback with three conference rings or the young midfielder who just joined the squad, your contribution matters. When leaders go out of their way to make sure everyone feels seen and heard, engagement goes through the roof. And when each player truly understands the game’s rules, the mission, and the goal line, the whole team can work together like a well-oiled machine—regardless of which playbook is in use.
Motivating your team is about handing over some of the power, not holding on to it with a tight grip. When leaders share the “why” and trust their players to find the “how,” something magical happens. People stop waiting for instructions and start driving the ball down the field themselves. Success suddenly becomes a shared adventure. Think about those clutch moments in sports: it’s not always the planned plays that make history, but the unexpected moves, the smart passes in the heat of the moment, the sudden sprints that leave the crowd gasping. Projects and teams are no different. The most memorable wins come when leaders give their teams the game plan—and the freedom to adapt.
So, what’s the bottom line? The scoreboard doesn’t care if you followed Waterfall or Agile to the letter. What matters is how you motivated your team, how you kept the ball moving when things got tough, and how every player felt like part of the win. Maybe the secret isn’t choosing between American Football and Football at all. Maybe it’s knowing that every project—and every team—is its own unique game. The best leaders use every tool, listen to every player, and never lose sight of the end zone.
Now, it’s your turn. I want to hear your stories! Have you ever switched up your strategy mid-game—or mid-project—and seen it pay off? Did your team surprise you with a bold move that changed everything? Share your thoughts below and tag @iamcezarmoreno on social media. Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, or join my newsletter at cezarmoreno.com. Let’s keep the conversation rolling and build a community that always finds a way to win—no matter which field we’re playing on.
