Comments on: ‘A’ Player My Ass http://notanmba.com/blog/2008/05/a-player-my-ass taking the stupid out of business Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:38:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Julie Gomoll http://notanmba.com/blog/2008/05/a-player-my-ass#comment-2790 Julie Gomoll Wed, 07 May 2008 13:53:27 +0000 http://notanmba.com/blog/2008/05/a-player-my-ass#comment-2790 Wow, had you said this was an excerpt from a business primer from 40 years ago, I wouldn't have doubted it for a second. Here's how I strive to treat my "A Players": * I don't for a second imagine they are "mine". I make it clear that I am honored that they are working with me. * I give them real responsibility. That means I won't jump in and override their decisions. It also means they have the freedome to make mistakes. * I make sure they know it's not only ok to make mistakes. I expect it. * I treat them with the respect they deserve. That means I tell them the truth. * I share successes *and* failures with them. * I make sure they have room to pursue projects and ideas simply because they're really interesting. * I brag about them, write about them, and give them as many opportunities as I can to advance their careers, whether it's with me or others. Done right, "A Players" (I prefer to think of them as Rock Stars) stick around because they're happy and fulfilled. Productivity becomes inevitable. Wow, had you said this was an excerpt from a business primer from 40 years ago, I wouldn’t have doubted it for a second.

Here’s how I strive to treat my “A Players”:
* I don’t for a second imagine they are “mine”. I make it clear that I am honored that they are working with me.
* I give them real responsibility. That means I won’t jump in and override their decisions. It also means they have the freedome to make mistakes.
* I make sure they know it’s not only ok to make mistakes. I expect it.
* I treat them with the respect they deserve. That means I tell them the truth.
* I share successes *and* failures with them.
* I make sure they have room to pursue projects and ideas simply because they’re really interesting.
* I brag about them, write about them, and give them as many opportunities as I can to advance their careers, whether it’s with me or others.

Done right, “A Players” (I prefer to think of them as Rock Stars) stick around because they’re happy and fulfilled. Productivity becomes inevitable.

]]> By: mj http://notanmba.com/blog/2008/05/a-player-my-ass#comment-2788 mj Wed, 07 May 2008 12:43:40 +0000 http://notanmba.com/blog/2008/05/a-player-my-ass#comment-2788 I think there's a difference in terminology. Some people really love their jobs here in $BIG_COMPANY. They have the ear of the right people, they're productive in the right ways and they have good hair. To the rest of us, they're zombies. A hundred years ago in another life, I was a corporate 'A' player. I believed every iota of BS that I was fed. I think there’s a difference in terminology.

Some people really love their jobs here in $BIG_COMPANY. They have the ear of the right people, they’re productive in the right ways and they have good hair.

To the rest of us, they’re zombies.

A hundred years ago in another life, I was a corporate ‘A’ player. I believed every iota of BS that I was fed.

]]>