Jim Collins teaches in his classic book Good To Great about the importance of getting the right people in the right seat on the bus and getting the wrong people off the bus. This is a constant reality all leaders must manage and largely determines the success of your team.
I was reminded of this leadership principle when I heard how Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway of the Denver Broncos builds his team. Elway fills immediate needs with veterans through free agency. He then is allowed to select the best player available in the NFL Draft.
After losing the Super Bowl to the Seattle Seahawks by 35 points, the Broncos had immediate needs on defense. Today, Elway added defensive end DeMarcus Ware, cornerback Aqib Talib and safety T. J. Ward in free agency. All are Pro Bowl players. As is Elway’s practice, the team met its defensive needs through free agency.
Elway is a great leader. In addition to being a Hall of Fame, two-time Super Bowl champion, he has proven to be a highly successful executive.
In today’s ESPN.com article, which you can read by clicking here, writer Jeff Legwold says, “Elway has been a no-nonsense, grassroots executive right from the start. He grinds the video on draft prospects, he goes to the Senior Bowl, he has made the pro day rounds and he makes decisions based on the long term ‘because my job is to be two steps ahead.“‘
The following are 6 Practices Of Leaders Who Build Great Teams we learn from John Elway:
- Leaders Who Build Great Teams Work Hard At Finding Quality Team Members – It is not easy to hire good people. You have to work at it. Elway “grinds”.
- Leaders Who Build Great Teams Become Very Familiar With Potential Team Members – “He grinds the video on draft prospects.”
- Leaders Who Build Great Teams Go To Any Length To Find Top Talent – Elway leaves the comfort of his office. “He goes to the Senior Bowl”.
- Leaders Who Build Great Teams Interview Many Candidates – “He has made the pro day rounds.”
- Leaders Who Build Great Teams Think Long-Term – “He makes decisions based on the long term ‘because my job is to be two steps ahead.'”
- Leaders Who Build Great Teams Hire Slowly – The NFL Draft is not until May. Selecting future team members is a long, exhaustive process.
What other practices do you do when building your team?
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