Many organizations struggle with developing next-generation leaders. Perhaps you are currently having that challenge as well.
But one organization is teaching us the most important thing you can do to develop young leaders – and four benefits which come from it.
A Rising Young Star
The Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green is becoming a superstar right before our eyes. At only 22 years old, he is averaging 19.6 points per game this year but that only tells a portion of the story. In the month of March alone, Green has had two career-high games of over 40 points. In addition, his defense and 3-point shooting have both improved significantly.
In this article from The Athletic, Kelly Ilko wrote, “Surrounding Green and starting center Alperen Şengün with respected defenders such as (Fred) VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, along with (Head Coach Ime) Udoka, is the sort of product-of-your-environment approach that might be understated in team and player development. If you’re constantly around successful individuals, chances are you’ll pick up on things they do and apply them to your own life. You want to turn a negative defender into a positive? Put him in a locker room with folks who take defense seriously.”
Some times we over-complicate leadership development.
John Maxwell’s The Law of the Inner Circle teaches us that your success is determined by those closest to you. To build on this thought, a common leadership axiom is that if you show me your five closest friends, I’ll show you your future. The Rockets organization would agree with both statements.
To improve Green’s defense, the team changed the environment by bringing Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks.
4 Benefits of the Most Important Thing You Can Do to Develop NextGen Leaders
Ilko’s comments teach us four benefits of surrounding young leaders with quality veteran individuals:
- Young leaders now have a model for success. They begin picking up on things veterans do.
- Application. Young leaders then take what they learn and incorporate it into their lives.
- Improvement. Young leaders can now close the gaps in their areas of performance which need improving.
- Maturity. The locker room (or office) gets better and more focused.
Do you have a young leader who needs developing? Have you partnered them up with a quality veteran leader? If not, do so today. Like the Houston Rockets, you will probably enjoy the results.
As a gift to you, click below to see a brief video of Green’s 2024 play of the year:
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