In Today’s World Smart Wins. Here Are 16 Practices Of Smart Leaders.

I had a company president who often said, “I will not be reduced to a level of mediocrity.”  In other words, the older he got the less patience he had for irrational and unintelligent conversations.  I think society has grown tired of being reduced to a level of mediocrity as well.

Smart is winning in every area of life.  Regardless of the industry, people are being attracted to and responding to intelligence.  One example is in the world of baseball.  The Chicago Cubs are one of the smartest organizations around, regardless of the industry.  This is one of the reasons they are in the World Series.  Another is leadership.  Make sure you read Why The Chicago Cubs Will Win The World Series – Leadership.

Using two recent articles on the Cubs as examples, the following is why In Today’s World Smart Wins.  Here Is 16 Practices Of Smart Leaders.

Sports Illustrated, October 10th feature by Tom Verducci

1. Smart Leaders Know Where To Acquire Top Talent (And It Might Not Be From Within) – Cubs president Theo Epstein acquired 29 of the team’s 37 players from other squads.  In fact, no pitcher on the team’s roster was drafted by the Cubs.
2. Smart Leaders Acquire Talented Leaders By Creating Roles For Them – Among the nine coaches on the Cubs squad, they created a new position called the Run Prevention Coach.
3. Smart Leaders Limit Unnecessary Mistakes – President Theo Epstein said, “I don’t know the last time we beat ourselves.”
4. Smart Leaders Focus On The Fundamentals – The Cubs catch the ball.  The Cubs turned 72.8% of batted balls put in play by the opposition into outs.  This is the best a team has done since 1991.
5. Smart Leaders Are Always Getting Smarter.  They Are Continual Learners. – Epstein hired Tommy Hottovy as the Run Prevention Coordinator.  In addition to being a former professional pitcher, Hottovy, a graduate of Wichita State, took an additional online Sabermetrics course from Boston University.  He was now able to do both on-the-field coaching along with analytical training.
6. Smart Leaders Trust Their Team’s Talent And Skill – While most teams use spray charts to position their infielders based upon where they think batters will hit the ball.  On the contrary, the Cubs trust their pitchers and place defenders based upon how batters are pitched.  In other words, the pitchers dictate the defense, not the batters.
7. Smart Leaders Pay Great Attention To Detail – Regarding Craig Heyward, one of the best defenders in baseball, Epstein said, “His attention to detail is impressive.  He’s extremely prepared and knows exactly what they’re trying to do.”
8. Smart Leaders Have Great Anticipation – Epstein continues,  “He knows the game situation, he reads swings, he anticipates where the ball will be hit.  He’s so smart.  It’s almost like he’s going through a computer in his head.
9. Smart Leaders Are Accurate – They can be trusted.  Epstein concludes, “And he throws with pinpoint accuracy.”

USA Today, October 13th article by Bob Nightengale

1. Smart Leaders Evaluate Experience.  Evaluated Experience Then Brings Confidence. – Catcher David Ross says, “This year, we have more confidence.  We’ve gone through all the (playoff) experience.  We’ve gone through the expectations with the target on our back.”
2. Smart Leaders Embrace Expectations – Cubs manager Joe Madden says, “We love it.  I’m you, man, ‘expectations’ is a good word, because normally it means that you have something good attached to it at the other side.”
3. Smart Leaders Know How To Deal With Pressure – Madden continues, “‘Pressure.’  ‘Expectations.’  I want our guys to thrive on those two words for the years to come.  I want the organization to.  In the end that means there’s a lot expected of you.  Good, there should be.  We should all have a lot expected of us.  And then it should manifest itself in the sense that it should bring out the best in you.”
4. Smart Leaders Are Grinders – Pitcher Jon Lester says, “We have some flashy guys, some guys who are MVPs and Cy Youngs and stuff like that.  But when it comes down to it, we’re kind of like the 9-to-5 Chicago person that goes to work every day and grinds it out.”
5. Smart Leaders Have Short Memories – Lester continues, “Plus, I think we got too many young guys in there that don’t even know what that (curse) stuff is.”
6. Smart Leaders Know What Is Required Of Them And When It Is Most Needed – Epstein noted, “These guys know how to elevate their game.”
7. Smart Leaders Position Themselves For Success – Infielder Ben Zobrist said, “We’ve put ourselves in position to do something special.”

The world is rewarding Smart.  What one thing from this list can you do today to better position yourself for success?

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