I think this attribute of leadership is often overlooked and undercompensated. It becomes apparent when the "conductor" leaves an organization, and the replacement leader struggles to match past performance with the same players.
Is it a mark of a great leader if the place falls apart once they leave? Or is that just a leader who made their own conducting too central to the organization operating well ?
I see it all the time where a great leader builds a successful team or division but then leaves the organization because the C-Suite doesn't share the same leadership values. In those cases, the team falls apart. If top leadership shared and supported the great team leader, she or he would still be there. And if not, the leadership structure established would carry forward in the initial leaders absence. Leadership starts at the top.
The 2004 US Men’s basketball team would have benefited from this advice! The elite of the NBA losing to Puerto Rico by 19 points in the opening round (largest margin of defeat for the US ever). The best individual players in the world won bronze. Perhaps the outcome would have been different if the focus was building an all star team vs a team of all stars. No glass house here, I’ve made the same mistake!
Interesting case, Scott. Wouldn't you like to think that, under the right leadership, those enormous talents could have meshed into a winning ensemble?
Was that a talent selection issue or a leadership issue?
Good point! I tend to share the viewpoint of Jocko Willink that "all problems are leadership problems". It's always interesting to see how the same players respond under a different coach or to a new player who is a "leader". I think Tom Brady is the GOAT not because of his play, but how he elevates the play of those around him, attracts talent, and transforms the culture. He did that when he went to Tampa. So, certainly could be a leadership issue more than talent selection.
I think this attribute of leadership is often overlooked and undercompensated. It becomes apparent when the "conductor" leaves an organization, and the replacement leader struggles to match past performance with the same players.
Good point.
The other side of that coin, Bruce?
Is it a mark of a great leader if the place falls apart once they leave? Or is that just a leader who made their own conducting too central to the organization operating well ?
I see it all the time where a great leader builds a successful team or division but then leaves the organization because the C-Suite doesn't share the same leadership values. In those cases, the team falls apart. If top leadership shared and supported the great team leader, she or he would still be there. And if not, the leadership structure established would carry forward in the initial leaders absence. Leadership starts at the top.
The restaurant/hospitality industry has many examples of this, eh?
Sadly, too many. Most do not get into restaurants because they love math, structure or leadership. In fact, that combination is a bit of a unicorn.
The 2004 US Men’s basketball team would have benefited from this advice! The elite of the NBA losing to Puerto Rico by 19 points in the opening round (largest margin of defeat for the US ever). The best individual players in the world won bronze. Perhaps the outcome would have been different if the focus was building an all star team vs a team of all stars. No glass house here, I’ve made the same mistake!
Interesting case, Scott. Wouldn't you like to think that, under the right leadership, those enormous talents could have meshed into a winning ensemble?
Was that a talent selection issue or a leadership issue?
Good point! I tend to share the viewpoint of Jocko Willink that "all problems are leadership problems". It's always interesting to see how the same players respond under a different coach or to a new player who is a "leader". I think Tom Brady is the GOAT not because of his play, but how he elevates the play of those around him, attracts talent, and transforms the culture. He did that when he went to Tampa. So, certainly could be a leadership issue more than talent selection.
The idea of "team assembly" is a worthy addition to the more traditional view of "team building."
shouldn't we keep it "ensembly"? :)
What makes a team win, talent or teaching? Talent is potential and teaching is performance. You can hire talent but you must build performance.
Agree so much with this article, the right people in the right seat makes all the difference.