Rescue Mission Blog

Developing Superstars

  

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It's always easier to develop superstars from within your team than it is to try and import superstars from other organizations.  This is the conclusion of a book that I read last year, Chasing Stars by Boris Groysberg.  But it's also in line what with I've found to be true.  What makes someone a superstar has a lot to do with the unique context in which they work. It's tough to import that into your organization.  But more than that, for non-profits, it's tough to "buy" a superstar.  However there are a few things you can do to develop your team.

1. Hire potential.  Some people don't have all the stuff on their resume that you might expect, but they've got that special something.  Don't over look potential while searching for people qualified with degrees.  

2. Build around strengths.  If you have a team that is build around job descriptions, you'll have a hard time developing superstars.  However, if you are allowing great workers to tailor their jobs around their strengths, you will see people blossom.

3. Promote from with in. Sometimes we're dazzled by what's new, so we go with the person who we just met, but if you want to have an organization filled with top-tier people you'll need to look to move your best people up.

What are other ways to develop superstars within your group?

David Curry

Taking your life back...one "NO" at a time

  

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It happens to everyone, you wake one day to realize your schedule, obligations, and to do list is full of things you have no business doing, you're not excited about, and aren't in alignment with your values.  How does this happen?   

It sometimes happens because we lack the social discpline to tell others "No".  It truly is a social discipline.  When approached by others and put on the spot, we often are afraid, timid, or to embarrassed to say no.  What would they think?  Will they perceive me as rejecting them?  

Here's a few easy tips for getting control of your life and schedule:

1.  Know your priorities.  Some years ago some friends and I went to see author Steven Covey speak on the Seven Habits, which was a best seller at the time.  After his speech we had a chance to talk with him and we invited him to dinner.  I'll never forget his graceful response.  He simply said, "I'd love to do that, but each night I have an appointment to call my wife and children at 9am and I wouldn't want to miss that.  I hope you'll forgive me. Thank you so much for the invitation."  Without exception, everyone in the group that night went away more impressed with Steven Covey.  He knew his priorities, and with that as his guide, he more easily made decisions and could control his own schedule.

2.  Connect with people.  Sometimes saying "no" is easier when you don't turn people down cold, but offer a follow up opportunity to get together, but on more agreeable terms.  Most of the time, a request to join a board, or take part in some event or committee isn't life or death, so people can accept a decline.  But for those that don't like letting people down, following up a decline with an offer to have lunch or coffee, to connect on a personal level without a big time commitment, is a great alternative.

3.  Be proactive.  By being "proactive" doesn't mean running away when you see people walking across the lobby at Rotary to ask you to join a committee, it means deciding in your own mind how your life, time, and energy will be spent.  Most people live without any internal structure to their life.  They have obligations set externally: Getting to school, work, and church.  But other than the start times of those events, they live without a plan.  Get proactive about making sure your schedule is built around the values, people and causes that are important to you.  

What are some of the ways you've found useful to taking control of your life and schedule?  Let me know I'd love your feedback.

David Curry

Book Review: Standout by Marcus Buckingham

  

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For years now I've been using Strengthfinders 2.0 to help figure out where and how I can operate in my strengths, and how I can help members of my team know and work in their strongest areas.  The Rescue Mission is so committed to this that even the board members know their strengths and we keep a chart of everyone's gifts so we can know how we can help everyone maximize their impact for the greater good.  

In some cases, we even ask volunteers to take the strengthfinder test, for the same reasons.

Now Marcus Buckingham has come out with a new book that builds on his work in Now, Find Your Strengths, with Standout.  

Standout has a great assessment tool that helps you figure out how you best use your gifts in a team setting, how you implement your gifts.  

I found the assessment useful and a good addendum to the Strengthfinders test.  We've yet to roll out this assessment on a wide basis, but I certainly recommend the book to anyone who has taken the Strengthfinders test, or even those who haven't, to help you get plugged in to your passion in the most effective way possible.

David Curry