Winning Team Systems

"You put together the best team that you can with the players you've got, and replace those who aren't good enough." Robert Crandall

When you are a leader of a professional sports team, your responsible for putting the best team out on the field.  You need to win, and having the best talent in each position can help you accomplish that goal.

In today's sports world, one of the best ways to build your talent is through free agency.  If a team has a certain weakness, and they have a strong desire to win, then they will search the free agency market and secure the highest level of talent that they can.

As an example, the leadership of a professional football team knows that they need to improve the level of talent at linebacker.  They have a few young players that were recently drafted, but the leadership doesn't feel that these players are ready to be the key starters for the team.  They know that in order to have a successful season, they need to improve at this position.  To do so, they sign a proven talent away from another team.  The team members understand that the addition of this player to their team has increased their chances of having a winning team.  As the season progresses, the addition of this new team member is proven to be a positive one, as he makes plays at critical times, provides leadership to many of the younger players, and brings a level of competitiveness that is contagious.

Here's a question for you...As a business leader, why do you not follow this same proven approach to building a winning team? After all, are you not responsible for the overall performance of the team?  Do you not have a responsibility to have the highest level of talent in each position?

"To select the wrong person for a job is a common mistake; not to remove him/her is a fatal weakness." Anonymous

"Motivation is simple. You eliminate those who are not motivated."
Lou Holtz

"Get good people and expect them to perform. Terminate them quickly and fairly if you make the wrong choice." Bill Marriott, Jr., CEO, Marriott Corp.

Many business leaders are stuck in an archaic process of waiting for a person to leave before they start recruiting a replacement.  What would happen to the sports team if they followed this process?  They would struggle to win, and the competition would eat them alive.

Today's business leaders are also hesitant to replace a team member.  Sometimes this is out of laziness, sometimes from fear of legal backlash, and sometimes from a misplaced sense of loyalty.

If you have a weakness in a certain area, you need to identify it and proactively look for a better qualified replacement.  Sometimes you will find one internally, but often you will need to go outside the organization. 

Bringing in talent from outside is often a good thing.  These team members can bring a fresh perspective.  Developing people within is also a good thing.  Team members need to know that there are growth opportunities for those that have a desire to move up the ladder.  Your team members need to understand though, that your responsibility is to place the best talent in each role. As your team improves with each free agent brought on board, morale will improve and productivity will increase.