Having an experienced team is one of the goals of every leader. Leaders have spent years investing in their people and now they have reached what they feel is the top of the mountain – a group of experienced people around them.
Experienced teams feel “they have seen it all” and “done it all.” There is institutional knowledge. They can anticipate any question and easily provide solutions to whatever they may face on a day-to-day basis.
And this is when “experience” can potentially be dangerous for a team.
Experienced teams, if they are not careful, can become assumptive. The world is changing so rapidly that yesterday’s solutions do not solve today’s problems. Experienced teams can also get lazy. “I’ve seen this before, it always works itself out” becomes a default mindset. New ideas are easily dismissed as are the talented people who presented them. “I know what I’m doing” is the prevailing thought. Experienced teams can become too comfortable. Things start falling between the cracks.
Experienced teams have unknowingly reached a crossroads. If they are prideful and assumptive, the organization has probably already plateaued and will soon be in decline. This type of experienced team is moving in a downward trajectory from experienced to extinct. But if experienced teams are self-aware and humble, then they will prioritize personal growth and move upwardly from experience to excellence.
This brings me to Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine. LaVine is a 9-year veteran who heading into this season had averaged over 23.7 points per game the previous four seasons. He is a two-time All-Star and was selected to the 2020 United States Olympic team. He is experienced and successful. If anyone had the right to rest on his laurels and say, “I’m know what I’m doing, I’ve done this many times before”, it would be Zach LaVine.
But as this season began, LaVine noticed a decline in his ability to make shots close to the basket. Coming off an arthroscopic surgery on his knee, LaVine was humble enough to admit he needed to change to remain effective.
As told in this allchgo.com article, LaVine developed a new move called The Pinoy Step. LaVine said, “It started in the beginning of the year, when I didn’t have my athleticism, I had to find a way to finish around the rim against big guys.” He added, “I just started thinking of stuff, trying to figure out missed timing. Kyrie (Irving) does a lot of things like that with the ball. A couple of my trainers, Drew Hanlen was helping me out with ball fakes and pump fakes in the paint. Jordan Lawley, one of the other guys I work with was helping me with ball fakes and euro steps. I kinda added all three of those things together and made a move.”
Since making the change, LaVine has increased his shooting percentage near the basket from 59% to 69%. Now that his athleticism has returned, LaVine has an expanded and improved skill set. He finished the season averaging 24.8 points per game along with the second-highest shooting percentage in his career. LaVine concluded, “Now that I’m able to have everything, I’ve got a little extra tool in my arsenal.”
To get a sense of his exploits this season, check out the video below. Afterwards, I will share six things we learn from LaVine’s comments about how experienced leaders can remain relevant.
6 Things “Experienced” Leaders Must Do To Remain Relevant
The following are six things experienced leaders must do to remain relevant we learn from Zach LaVine:
1. To Remain Relevant “Experienced” Leaders Must Have Self-Awareness
This is difficult for most experienced leaders. There comes a time when they must admit they cannot do the things they once did. Even if they can, it does not come as easily. Coming off an injury, LaVine knew he did not have the athleticism he once did. Changes were needed.
2. To Remain Relevant “Experienced” Leaders Should Listen To The Data
I mentioned earlier that LaVine’s early-season shooting percentage near the basket was 59%. This was the second worst of his career. As a leader, if your productivity is measurable and you notice declines in your performance, it is time to make adjustments.
3. To Remain Relevant “Experienced” Leaders Should Add To Their Game And Develop New Skills
I can relate to this. Experienced leaders should always be reading books, listening to podcasts, going to conferences, and doing whatever is necessary to learn new skills. LaVine developed a new shot and added it to his game. What is something new you are adding to your skill set?
Also, if you want a list of great books I’m currently reading, check out The Top 10 Books Leaders Need To Read In Spring 2023.
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4. To Remain Relevant “Experienced” Leaders Should Learn From Others What Is Currently Working
LaVine watched Kyrie Irving to learn what he was doing and began experimenting with new things to incorporate into his game. Who are you learning from? Make sure it is someone who is successful and a picture of the desired destination you wish to arrive.
5. To Remain Relevant “Experienced” Leaders Should Get Help From The People Around Them
LaVine said, “A couple of my trainers, Drew Hanlen was helping me out with ball fakes and pump fakes in the paint. Jordan Lawley, one of the other guys I work with was helping me with ball fakes and euro steps.” LaVine had Drew Hanlen and Jordan Lawley. Who do you have around you?
The hard truth is that if the people around you are not helping you get better, you have the wrong people around you.
6. To Remain Relevant “Experienced” Leaders Should Blend Many Good Ideas Into A Single Great Idea
Think about what LaVine did. He said, “I kinda added all three of those things together and made a move.” He took ball fakes, pump fakes, and euro steps and combined them into a single move.
To remain relevant, you need to have a number of good things in your life and then blend them into a great thing. For instance, I took my individual loves of leadership, reading, writing, and investing in others and blended them into this website. This website then grew to four books, a coaching course with a second on the way, and a public speaking career.
What are some things you enjoy doing as an experienced leader? Take these individual things and blend them together. You just might make something new which would keep you relevant and successful.
Conclusion
Being an experienced leader is a fork in the road. You will either head towards excellence or extinction. Implement the six items listed above and watch your influence continue to grow in the future.
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