Leaders often talk about indicators of success. Those conversations are very insightful but so are the ones which identify why great organizations, great churches, and great teams fail.
Recently, the San Antonio Spurs soundly defeated the Miami Heat four games to one. ESPN statistician John McTigue wrote an article after Game 4 entitled, “What Has Gone Wrong For The Heat.” His analysis provides a clear understanding why you may be failing as well.
Using the Heat as a case study, the following are 3 Practices Of Teams Who Are Going To Fail:
1. You Are Going To Fail If Barriers To Success Are Not Removed – Leadership always has challenges. Therefore, talented team members require guidelines, not rules. They need to have bureaucracy removed from their path. High-capacity individuals need freedom to create and advance the organization’s mission and vision. Even your top performers will suffer from decreased production if significant enough barriers are placed in their way.
Take LeBron James for example. Though he had a great series, things became much more difficult when Kawhi Leonard assumed primary responsibility for guarding him during Game 2. Notice the impact:
Leonard guarded James on 49% of the Heat’s possessions in Game 1, 54% in Game 2, 65% in Game 3, and then 71% in the Game 4 blowout victory. During Game 4, James attempted only two shots in 17 touches over 24 possessions when guarded by Leonard. Against other defenders, James attempted five shots on 13 touches over 11 possessions.
Furthermore, James did not even touch the ball on 35% of the Heat’s possessions when guarded by Leonard. This is in stark contrast to 26% when guarded by others.
Successful organizations proactively remove the barriers which limit the freedom and success of top performers.
2. You Are Going To Fail If You Have No Depth – James did everything he could to lead the Heat to victory but received little support from his teammates.
In Game 3 for example, Chris Bosh had only 12 touches after averaging 39.5 in the first two games. Dwyane Wade looked old during the series. He shot 2-for-10 in Game 4. Usually reliable shooters Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis were a combined 4-for-13 in drive and dish situations through four games. As a team, the Heat were 0-for-6 on dishes from James.
3. You Are Going To Fail If Careless Mistakes Are Made – Great organizations limit unnecessary mistakes. Through four games, the Heat turned the ball over on 19.1% of their possessions, the 2nd highest Finals total in NBA history.
Barriers To Success Are Not Removed, No Depth, and Careless Mistakes. If you practice these 3 things, you are going to fail. There is good news. You can make corrections today and ensure future success.
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