We think the journey that new and experienced leaders are on is different. But in reality, their paths have striking similarities, one in particular.
A New Leader
Referring to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, quarterback guru Jordan Palmer said on the September 13, 2023 The Herd With Colin Cowherd, “There’s something that happens in the Draft. We get so caught up and spend all this time, those couple of months, talking about it and then the Draft happens and you’re kind ‘of labeled by the media and the fans’ perspective, ‘That guy’s a third round pick. That guy’s a Top 10 pick. That guy’s Mister Irrelevant. When you get in the locker room, a huddle, you’re just a Niner. You know what I mean. You’re not a seventh round pick. Your brand or whatever you are is what you’re doing right now not what happened in the Draft. People get drafted too high. People get drafted too late.”
For a deeper dive on the leadership of Brock Purdy, read 10 Statements on the Faith and Leadership of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.
I want to hone in on a particular portion of Palmer’s analysis, “Your brand or whatever you are is what you’re doing right now.” These sobering words strip away personal preferences and subjective analysis.
Palmer was discussing why people are slow in accepting Purdy as a quality leader because he was the last player picked in the 2022 NFL Draft. What Palmer is emphasizing is once you are on the team, it does not matter where you are drafted. What matters is what are you doing for the team right now.
Purdy is a young leader but the same message holds true for experienced leaders as well.
Experienced Leaders
What you have done in the past has earned you a certain amount of trust and goodwill. But it doesn’t guarantee future success.
I was once at a meeting of an organization which had been plateaued or in decline for the previous decade. The organization’s CEO brought six members of the leadership team on the platform. He pointed to them and said, “These two have been with me five years. This person has been with me ten years. This person has been with me fifteen years. This person has been with me twenty years. And this person has been with me over thirty years. This is why we are so strong.”
I was shocked by the CEO’s lack of awareness. I thought, “Strong? You’ve been plateaued or in decline for ten years!”
It then occurred to me that those six individuals where not the organization’s strength. In reality, those six leaders were the organization’s lid.
It does not matter how long you have been with the organization. Yesterday ended last night. What matters is what are you doing for the team right now.
For a deeper dive of how an experienced leader adds maximum value, click 6 Things “Experienced” Leaders Must Do To Remain Relevant.
Conclusion
Whether you are a new or an experienced leader, do not be assumptive or confused. The one message both need to embrace is your highest value to the organization is in what you are producing right now.
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