Are you seeing stars?
by Miki SaxonI frequently disagree with the Welch’s opinions (especially regarding forced rankings), but the comments about holding onto stars are mostly right on. So while I generally agree with their stance that you shouldn’t go overboard holding onto a star who wants to leave, I have a problem with this statement,
…the care and feeding of top performers, which has more to do with a company’s success than virtually any other factor. After all, the team that fields the best players usually wins, doesn’t it?
That’s where I part company with many experts.
I agree that stars are great to have, but I’ve never seen one function alone, without the cooperation, support and backing of the team.
And I’ve seen too many team members leave because their manager’s focus was so completely on taking care of his few stars that he had nothing left over for the rest.
One of the finest managers I know has had a team packed with stars everywhere he’s worked. Partly because his reputation is well known and talent flocks to work for him, but mainly because he passionately believes that most people have the ability to become stars, some brighter than others, and he manages them accordingly.
True, he works harder at managing than many and has been kidded by his peers about the lengths to which he goes, but he tells me he wouldn’t have it any other way.
I once asked him how he got to be that way and he said that he’d never done anything that he didn’t want from his own manager, so it wasn’t a big deal. I couldn’t resist asking if he was managed the way he did manage. His response was a smile and laugh and that just because he didn’t get it didn’t mean that he didn’t want it.
What do you think about stars? How do you manage them?
December 7th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
There is a big difference between a star and a prima dona. The star makes all the players in the team better. Also it is often very difficult to have too many stars on a team.
On the other side of your argument, I find that a number of managers are not comfortable with their stars (lack of confidence in their abilities or fear of competition).
I am not a manager and never was. But I was fortunate enough to mentor some talented players and I have to say it is very satisfying to see them grow to the point where you can live and not be missed ;)
December 8th, 2007 at 12:01 am
Denis, Thanks for coming by. You make a great point about the difference between stars and prima donas. Do you think that too much star treatment can change one to the other?
As for the uncomfortable managers, I’m surprised. Did they inherit their stars? I don’t think I ever heard of an insecure manager hiring one.
And I think you’d make a great mentor!!