Many people reading this post want to improve the quality and effectiveness of their church, team or organization. But where do you begin? The USA Today’s September 24th review of the new ABC show How To Get Away with Murder gives us some insight into the first step leaders should take.
Writer Robert Blanco observed, “The first step is to hire a terrific actor to star — though good luck finding one as good as Viola Davis. Bringing every ounce of her considerable talent to bear in tonight’s opener, Davis convincingly makes criminal lawyer/law professor Annalise Keating tough, smart, vibrant, sexy, anguished, ambitious, conniving, mature, immature and somehow, underneath it all, admirable.”
What is The Most Important Leaders Can Do To Improve Their Church, Team Or Organization? Start with acquiring top talent. Hire the right people. The answer to every problem is a person.
This truth was confirmed in a Sports Illustrated September 22nd profile of the new and improved Denver Broncos defense. The following are 5 Lessons About Improving Your Team gleaned from the article:
- Possess A Sense Of Urgency – Newly acquired linebacker DeMarcus Ware said, “Their mentality is, I’m not looking forward to the next season or the season after that – the time is now.”
- Develop A Pipeline Of Talent To Choose From – The asking prices of free agent choices were Jared Allen and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was too high, so team general manager John Elway moved quickly and signed Ware and All-Pro cornerback Aqib Talib.
- Select People Who Are A Proper Culture Fit – The Broncos like to add talent who respect the history and tradition of the team. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio says, “I like to have the guys respect who did this before us and understand that there’s a legacy here. That helps them understand that maybe, 20 years from now, that team will look at us and say, ‘Man, these guys were really good,’ and start naming our names.”
- Always Be Developing Young Talent Within The Organization – Developing talent from within is just as important as acquiring outside assistance. Del Rio continues, “It’s helpful to have some of the (new) leadership, but also to have some of the younger guys back in our system with experience.”
- There Are No Quick Fixes – While Elway makes high-profile acquisitions each free agent period, the team is largely built over time through quality draft choices and player development.
- Struggle Is A Sign Changes Need To Be Made And New Talent Acquired – The article said it best, “When a defense struggles, as Denver’s did last season, change trumps continuity.”
There is a person right now who you know will take your organization to the next level. Are you prepared to do what is necessary to acquire this person?
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