Five Lessons Communicators Can Learn from Banana Ball
Posted on Nov. 11, 2026 / Subscribe 0
By David W. Honchul, APR, Fellow PRSA, President-Elect of Cincinnati PRSA
How can communicators learn to improve themselves from Banana Ball?
I’m sure many may have asked themselves that question after hearing the kickoff keynote speaker at ICON 2026 in Orlando was none other than Tyler Gillum, the head coach for the Savannah Bananas. I wouldn’t blame them. Banana Ball is so unconventional that many would say, “We can’t do anything like that with my organization.”
But there is far more to the approach of Banana Ball and the personal stories of those involved that transcend the baseball diamond. These lessons apply to everyone’s approach to life. There were five key takeaways that jumped out at me as I listened to this ‘crazy kilt-wearing coach’ on the stage.
1. Bet on yourself and invest in your growth
Tyler Gillum’s life has included numerous instances where he didn’t take the convenient path. He made deliberate choices, betting on himself to succeed. He stated his confidence came from knowing who he was, knowing what he could do and, admittedly, having a little dogged determination.
How often have you been hesitant to pursue an opportunity because it seemed scary? Changes can seem daunting. Providing advice to senior leaders even though you have the expertise can feel overwhelming. Believing in yourself, in your vision and your strengths can carry you through the day. As Gillum stated, “There’s nothing like working hard for something and accomplishing it.”
2. Lead with high standards and help others rise
Gillum made the comment that everyone – no matter where they are in the organization – is a leader to somebody. He emphasized this by saying that people do not have to hold a leadership title to be a leader of people. Holding high standards and mentoring others are key ways to show up for those looking to follow you.
For those in leadership positions, it’s also about empowering your people. Your people can’t adequately grow and learn if you do not provide them the opportunities to expand their skills. But loosening the leash doesn’t mean not setting expectations. “It’s about playing the game the right way… you should always have high standards.”
3. Listen for the emotion behind the story
Gillum challenged everyone to “listen carefully and respond creatively.” That speaks directly to us as communicators. He stressed that participating in their OTT (Over The Top) meetings requires everyone to treat all ideas, no matter how ridiculous, as good ideas. More importantly, everyone has a story that you may not know just by looking at them. Sometimes, those ideas are a result of those stories.
This also applies to how we support our clients or organizations. How much do you listen to who they are and what they desire before developing communication campaigns? We need to understand our clients as much as the audiences we hope to reach. What would make both feel seen and understood? Meaningful communication begins with that kind of care and curiosity.
4. Create moments people will carry with them
Gillum says the Bananas call it creating “Never Forget Moments.” He stressed that the Savannah Bananas are deliberate in bringing to life those experiences. Their mission is to be “Fans First, Entertain Always.” Every detail of their actions can tell a story, and every interaction can leave an impression.
This is so important in what we do, both on the job as well as within our activities as a PRSA chapter. When you are running an event, how do you make everyone feel included and part of the action? In our chapter, if you see someone who looks to be new, how do we welcome them? A thoughtful moment can become the reason someone comes back, gets involved or believes they have something valuable to contribute. A comment that really struck home was when he said, “Do for one what you wish you could do for many.”
5. Suppress fears of failure
About those OTT meetings, Gillum said they literally generate hundreds of ideas to try during games. While they may come up with that many, only about one in 10 makes the first cut and gets tried. Do they all work? He said they have suffered more failures than successes. The key is to avoid dwelling on the negatives and instead treat each failure as a lesson learned.
This is probably the hardest thing for anyone, much less communicators, to overcome. We live in a society where everyone wants to always win. No one wants to fail. But there is a difference between failing while trying and just falling flat on one’s face. Gillum explained that the Bananas test ideas quickly and aren’t afraid to see a possible good idea fail. They learn from those experiences and move on to the next idea.
Gillum’s presentation set the right tone for ICON, and I hope it inspired those who hear it in person to carry these lessons forward. I’ll end with a bonus takeaway that explains a lot about how the Bananas go about their business:
“Figure out how you stand out, not stand still.”
Interested in joining PRSA? Learn more here.
0 Comments