Back to “Extreme Ownership” by Willink and Babin. The authors contend that there are no bad teams, only bad leaders. Yes, and No, from my vantage point. There is an element of truth that it takes a great leader to bring out the best in their team. However, few leaders can turn around a group of uncommitted, poorly trained, unmotivated team members.
Organizations have the tendency to hold on to marginal performers that don’t share the value system, don’t buy into the mission, and bide their time. Yet we stick with them, year in and year out. That’s when leaders become the problem. “It’s not that easy,” a CEO of a major bank explained. I disagree.
Get rid of the deadwood early. “Get them off the bus.” Let them go. Now. Tomorrow may be too late.
About Hemant Rustogi
“Get them ready, or get them gone” I recall saying ahead of a pending deployment.
I couldn’t agree more about the urgency in eliminating those who act like a drag on an organization’s performance — especially those who are clearly able, but nevertheless unwilling to contribute at an acceptable level. The immediate positive impact of removing them is exponential… Not only does the dead weight cease to be a burden to those around them, but it’s removal creates additional momentum like a wind at the back of the other team members whose enthusiasm and motivation had previously been hampered by the bad actor in the group — usually much more than anyone would have realized (or admitted).