Skip to main content

Why to Say No to Talent

The Heisman Trophy
Every basketball team is looking for the next Michael Jordan or Lebron James. 

 Every company or professional services firm is looking for that really talented individual to make their organization better.

 When these people come along, you might be doing them a favor by not asking them to join your team. 

 In other words, give them The Heisman. 

 I would say when talented people come across your doorstep, take a hard look at whether your organization is ready for these individuals. 

 The reason is that if your organization cannot meet the expectations of these individuals, they will not stick around to help you get to where you need to be. 

 As a leader of an organization, you have a few choices on how to handle talented people if you are real about what your company really is:

  1. Surround them with people of similar talent, if not more. Michael Jordan didn't reach his full potential without a supporting cast and a great coach in Phil Jackson. 
  2. Ask that person to help make your company better and give them some autonomy. Are you going to tell Jordan or Lebron that all they can do is pass and not shoot? Please... 
  3. Let them go. It will not take long for a person to realize that your team or company may not be the right place for him or her. The reality is that your company is probably doing more harm than good by demoralizing the person. 
The worst thing you can do is pander to these individuals and do nothing. 

Talented individuals hang out with other talented people.

In this world of information velocity and transparency, you've basically put yourself out of the market for any more of these individuals by demotivating only a few of them. 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I'm Back!

  Probably not an even close comparison to the return of MJ. But the feeling is there.  It's been a few years to say the least.  I blame Covid... and my lack of motivation to put anything out on the inter-web.  That said, it's a different time and I'm a lot older. Things have changed, but they haven't.  I'm still trying to find that next gig.  Breaking through this so-called barrier of being a company leader or executive still alludes me.   And all my friends are more successful than I am.  So cheers to that. I look forward to writing more.  Cheers - PB 
Post a Comment
Read more

The Thing About Cheese

The book, "Who Moved My Cheese?" has been on my bookshelf for more than a few years. Quite honestly, I don't remember if I read it end to end. So I picked it up and the story vaguely started coming back to me which means that I did read it, but didn't really READ it.  My thing about business self-help books like these are that the concepts and ideas being communicated don't really sit with you unless you are in a situation that makes the ideas hit home.  It's like being a sports analyst without having never really played the sport.  Nothing makes it real like having the experience.  A quote that hit home for me was,  "...a change imposed is a change opposed."  And yet this is how many corporations impose  their edicts expect change to happen within a workforce that is more than happy to oppose  the guys in the ivory tower.  Yes I'm talking about the latest safety policy, finance department "guidance", or expense policy ch...
Post a Comment
Read more

Diary of a Job Search

 I am not any stranger to looking for a new job.  When I was in big firm management consulting, I used to say, "The one thing about this job is that you are always looking for the next one."  Whether you are on the bench or on an engagement, you should always be spending time out of your day planting seeds for the next engagement or job opportunity.  Unfortunately, I have not followed my own advice in over a decade.  Now, I'm  trying to resurrect relationships and break through AI job site filters -- and all the job search horror stories that happen on LinkedIn are happening to me. Whether you haven't looked for a job in a few weeks or since before COVID, here's what I've learned:  There are people that genuinely want to help. Cherish those people and reciprocate accordingly.  There are people that you thought you knew, that will disappear on you. (I think the kids call it ghosting). I'll be honest in that I'm no angel. I'm sure I've done it to...
Post a Comment
Read more