The Perfect Hire
On December 4, 2020, the Texas Rangers made an announcement which would change the course of their franchise’s history. This was the date in which Chris Young was introduced to the media as the team’s new general manager. To say it was a great hire would be an understatement. In just three years, on November 1, 2023, the team won its first World Series championship.
A Glimpse Into The Future
When we go back to Young’s initial press conference announcing his hiring, we got a glimpse into what made him such a special leader.
Young said to those in attendance, “I’ve had 17 years on field preparing for this moment. It’s somewhat of a unique experience. It’s given me a perspective that every step of the way I’ve had an open mind and a curiosity to learn to observe and study what has made successful players, successful franchises; and certainly I look forward to applying that but continuing to learn and grow in shaping the future of the Texas Rangers … It is important to say I do have a lot to learn.’’
7 Traits of Leaders that Reshape Organizations for Success
From Young’s comments, we learn the following seven traits of leaders who reshape organizations for success. First is the principle followed by Young’s supporting quote.
- Leaders Who Reshape Organizations For Success Are Culture Builders – We can glean from Young’s comments that he clearly had a vision and plan for the type of organization he wanted the Rangers to become. He then began working in that direction.
- Leaders Who Reshape Organizations For Success Are Effective Communicators – In the Money Ball era, Major League executives have become analytical driven and educated at the finest schools. Thus, their use of language often reflects as such. Though Young received an Ivy League education at Princeton, he connects with his coaches and players because of the simplicity of his language. For more on the principle of well-educated people communicating in a way which does not connect, read Kevin Kernan’s brilliant article Buzz Words by clicking HERE.
- Leaders Who Reshape Organizations For Success Have Domain-Specific Experience – Hiring a leader from outside your industry is hit-and-miss at best. Young’s playing career gave him an advantage in evaluations and decision-making. The former Major League pitcher said, “I’ve had 17 years on field preparing for this moment. It’s somewhat of a unique experience.”
- Leaders Who Reshape Organizations For Success Are Endlessly Curious – Though Young was a former Major Leaguer, he refused to be assumptive. He noted, “It’s given me a perspective that every step of the way I’ve had an open mind and a curiosity”
- Leaders Who Reshape Organizations For Success Have Studied The Success Of Others – Wise leaders learn from the successes and failures of others. Young added, “to learn to observe and study what has made successful players, successful franchises”
- Leaders Who Reshape Organizations For Success Are Continual Learners – Growing leaders lead growing organizations.Young declared, “I look forward to applying that but continuing to learn and grow in shaping the future of the Texas Rangers.”
- Leaders Who Reshape Organizations For Success Are Humble – James 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (ESV) Humility is arguably the most attractive quality of a leader. Young concluded by saying, “It is important to say I do have a lot to learn.’’
It certainly appears he learned a lot.
Conclusion
If you are a culture builder, communicate in a way that connects, have domain-specific experience, are endlessly curious, have studied the success of others, continually learn, and have humility, you have a chance to reshape your organization. … and maybe even win a World Series.
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