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SUPER TALENT…SUPER RESULTS The employee is performing adequately but he or she could be doing better. Have you ever felt that way about an employee in a key position? If someone is failing to perform, or doing harmful things to the organization, you know it's time to remove him or her and find a replacement. What about the person who is doing well, but not well enough? Should you shake things up to move to the next level? That question is a major dilemma for leaders. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced the same predicament at the end of the 2001-2002 season with their coach Tony Dungee. Coach Dungee had raised the level of expectation and performance of the Bucs to a perennial play-off appearance, but just couldn't seem to get beyond an invisible barrier. He is a very talented coach, and was equipped with great players, but the team had reached a plateau and, unfortunately for Coach Dungee, it wasn't a World Championship. Many people questioned the wisdom of the Tampa Bay management when they announced the decision to make a change. Questions like, "Will the new coach do better?" and "What if the new guy doesn't do as well?" percolated. Even more, the decision to go after John Gruden, at an unheard of investment of 17.5 million over five (5) years in salary and eight (8) million over three (3) years to the Oakland Raiders, as well as give up a First and Second round draft pick in the 2002 NFL draft, a first round pick in 2003, and a second round pick in 2004. Could one man be worth all that? Only time would tell. If you watched the "Big Game" a few weeks ago you realize that history vindicated the Tampa Bay leadership decision. Not only did they achieve the objective of winning the "Big Game," they soundly defeated coach Gruden's former team, who happened to be favored. Was it worth it? The answer would have to be "Yes!" Getting
over
an
invisible
barrier
and
getting
everyone,
especially
the
athletes,
to
believe
that
they
could
win
the
"Big
Game"
and
compete
with
anyone,
ignited
a
greater
level
of
fan
and
team
loyalty
and
in
the
end,
paid
huge
dividends.
Dividends
from
this
decision
were
seen
not
just
on
the
day
the
trophy
was
collected,
but
will
exist
for
years
to
come. What lessons can we learn from such visible examples of leadership and decision making? First, even in today's environment, good may not be good enough. If the individual and/or the organization is not reaching full potential, its time to take action. Action itself will energize people and focus them on greater achievement. Focusing on greater achievement increases achievement itself. Second, if more talented leaders, mangers, and employees are needed there is no better time to act. Today's business climate causes many talented individuals to look for better opportunities to utilize their skills or situation. The timid and less confident will cling to the status quo and not be available so be sure the person is untaken because he or she is talented, not because of poor performance. Look around your organization and identify those who are not reaching the potential of the position, or if you are in sales, capturing the territory's potential, and make the decision to upgrade your staff. Selective replacement of those not reaching potential will have a dramatic impact on raising your overall performance levels. Third, realize it doesn't require changing the entire organization to change attitudes, focus, and results. Only changing one or two key people, or selective re-staffing, may be the spark to ignite achievement without sacrificing stability. Ask yourself where you need more fire and focus? What level of talent is in your organization to begin with? Where would greater talent produce greater results? Do you have the knowledge and skill to select great talent? Is now the time to act? Once those questions have been answered take the initiative to make the decisions to ignite the flame of your organization. It's easy to be tentative and accept lower performance, especially if you have been getting along in today's economy. But decisive action is needed now more than ever. With an unforgiving economy, staff and performance must be at their highest levels in order to succeed. For more information on how to book Wayne for your next event contact us - Click Here Outlaw Group, Inc. 900 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. Suite 115 •Charleston, SC 29464 • 800.347.9361 • fax 843.881.1758 • info@outlawgroup.com www.outlawgroup.com ~ www.wayneoutlaw.com ~ www.smartstaffing.net |
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