An Elite Leader
25 years ago I attended church with an individual who was the Chief Marketing Officer of one of America’s leading companies. He was deeply respected and admired by those in our church, so much so no one ever asked him to volunteer in their areas of ministry. It was not unlike the pretty girl who never got asked out for a date in high school.
I asked our business administrator why he did not hold a position at our church. The response was quite insightful and a learning experience for me. I was told, “Someone on that level does not want a title, they want influence.” I have thought a lot about that conversation recently.
A Historic Contract Signing
On May 23rd, soccer superstar Kylian Mbappe signed the richest contract in soccer history to stay with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Per this ESPN article, the following were the key points in how Mbappe made his decision. These items teach us four things to know when recruiting an elite leader who could potentially transform your organization.
Money matters but it is not the only determining factor.
Mbappe was presented extraordinarily generous compensation packages from both PSG and Real Madrid. Though he ultimately accepted a three-year PSG contract worth €57 million net per season, along with various bonuses potentially worth €100 million over the three years of the deal, there were other items which impacted his decision.
Recruit A Leader’s Inner-Circle As Well
When recruiting elite talent to your organization, you must recruit those closest to the leader as well. You must influence the people who influence them. Mbappe’s parents and lawyer were key advisors. He was also advised by some of the most powerful people in France, including the country’s president Emmanuel Macron.
Touch Their Heart Before Asking For Their Hand
John Maxwell’s Law of Connection teaches that you should always touch a person’s heart before asking for their hand. Never discount what someone’s “colors” are. There is often a heart attachment involved in the decision-making process of elite leaders. You must learn what a person laughs about, cries about, and dreams about. Mbappe said, “Leaving my country wasn’t the right thing. There’s a sentimental aspect to this, and the sporting project has changed as well.”
Most Importantly, Elite Leaders Want Greater Influence and Larger Platforms
As told in the earlier story, elite leaders are not interested in titles. They’ve already had those. Elite leaders want influence. They want to lead other leaders and have an opportunity to make a generational impact.
Mbappe was given the “keys” to the club. He will now be involved in management and personnel decisions. At 23 years old, Mbappe has become the face of PSG.
If you are looking add an elite leader to your team, one who could transform your organization, are you willing to give them the keys to the organization and make them the face of your company? If not, another organization likely will.
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