Adonis Diaries

Are Superstars talented? Can these kinds of talented people save the day?

By Dan Rockwell?

Superstars aren’t the answer:  they may be a few of our problems.

Isn’t it thrilling when high performers join your organization? Finally, someone can bring home the bacon like no one else. Wrong!

Superstars who believe they save the day are selfish hogs. Organizations don’t need swine they need strong teams that deliver results together.

Individual contributors – superstars – might help for the short-term but eventually they cripple organizations and destroy morale.

High potential:

Real high potentials work well with others; they don’t work in isolation.

Team players are better than individual contributors.

Team players:

1. Develop organizational capacity.
2. Share the spotlight.
3. Sacrifice for the team.
4. Build morale.
5. Have humble spirits.
6. Encourage.
7. Listen.

Dig deep:

Highly talented individuals who work well with others produce results and lift organizations.

Control yourself the next time you interview a super star. Ask, “How well have they played with others?” Perhaps the real job interview should be with team-mates. How well did they work with others?

1. Disagree agreeably?
2. Speak honestly?
3. Work behind the scenes?
4. Contribute to the success of others?
5. Back-stab?

It’s easy to find yourself starry-eyed with talented super stars and high potentials. Beware, you need more than talent; you need talented team players.

How do you spot highly talented team players?

What can leaders do to enhance team work?