High Performance Leadership

Do you envy people who seem to be naturally gifted? They seem so comfortable in their craft that the work is invisible and all that remains is the gift, the talent, the performance? While the raw material may well be a gift, the actual deliverable is the result of hard work. Musicians must practice. Actors must rehearse. Athletes must work out. There are so many talented people working as hard as they can right now that no-one gets to slack off and shine. The stakes are too high, the field is too crowded. The good news is that as crowded as the field is, there is room for everyone. All it takes is work. Hard work. Creative inspiration isn't magic -- it comes from hard work. Note to self: do the work. -- doug smith

W ant to recruit the best talent? Show appreciation for the talent that's already on your team. People will notice whether or not the talent on your team is appreciated. So often leaders go looking for the best talent available without recognizing the talent that is already there.  Bringing in "high powered" talent without developing the talent that exists already is a costly mistake that is paid for in lower morale, diminishing productivity, or worse. How are you at appreciating the talent that's already on your team? What do you do to show your appreciation for talent and effort? What are you doing to develop the talent on your team? Are you developing a sense of shared leadership and personal responsibility? If not, where will that come from?