Athletic Success - Insights into Talent

Welcome to my first blog of 2021! It is with great excitement that I share some very inspiring news. My daughter, Tess Boade, was drafted to the National Women’s Soccer League. She is a Duke University senior and team co-captain who was selected by Sky Blue FC and will be playing in New Jersey, my home state. From the dreams of a little girl…I am beyond proud of her.

The news of Tess’s monumental accomplishment made me ponder the connection between athletic and business success. Personal attributes of goalsetting, grit and teamwork have characterized her journey and are the same ones winning business leaders employ daily.

Goal setting. With the start of the new year, many of us are immersed in the “deep work” of executing detailed plans we created at the close of 2020. For Tess, this has been a long-term goal with endless triumphs as well as failures along the way. More often successful execution of business goals depends on others in the organization. Talent management is key to hitting your organizations goals. Winning teams focus on hitting or exceeding goals.

Putting in the work. When Kevin Durant was drafted, he famously said “hard work beats talent, when talent fails to work hard.” 2020 has revealed that many organizations with highly talented professionals are finding their resilience challenged in these chronically uncertain times. Doing the work seems even harder today. Professionals with grit coupled with determination have been able produce significant positive results despite headwinds. Does your team have the resilience to bounce back in 2021?

Teamwork. Effective leaders map the talent in their organization against long-term and short-term goals to ensure victory. To snap the malaise that has hit many of us, try encouraging employees to support one another by offering their own unique expertise to other teams. Alternatively, have teams cross-pollinate to learn from one another. Collaboration is key. Finally, if there are glaring weaknesses, recruit talent to fill in your business’s gaps. Just as in sports, each member of your team is fulfilling a different position. Success of the entire team is dependent on each member hitting the target.

Performance. The best athletes rise to the occasion. With preparation work completed, it’s showtime. Talented professionals eagerly get up for the big game – they produce quality work, understand the importance of hitting sharp deadlines and strive to crush their goals. 

I encourage business owners, investors and CEO’s to think about who are your “go-to” players. Are you fostering a space that encourages greatness? When the moment comes, do you believe you have the right people in place to make the game winning goals?  Let me know if I or the Z3 team can help with any of your hiring needs.

Huge congratulations to Tess on her draft selection into the NWSL. Her hard work is an inspiration to the Z3Talent team. Sky Blue FC is lucky to have such a determined and hardworking athlete.

Thanks,
Ellen