Photo by Deborah M. McCormick
The 2018 Boston Red Sox are World Champions! Their rookie manager, Alex Cora, led his talented team to a best in baseball (and franchise record) 108 regular season wins. Here are 10 ways your business can win like the best team in baseball.
Hire team players
Hire employees who are talented and personally driven to win, but who will put individual stats second to the team’s ultimate goals. Hire employees who will have each other’s backs and support each other through all the ups and downs. Hire employees who will put their egos aside, come out of the dugout or the bullpen and get the job done. Hire employees who will help each other shine.
Build camaraderie
Build relationships with your employees and create an environment where your team can work hard, but also have fun and enjoy each others company. Play ping-pong in the clubhouse and have team dinners. Find ways to connect with your employees – and to connect them with each other on and off of the playing field. Rally together around your goals.
Be supportive
Be there for your employees. Show that you genuinely care and support their growth and development. Alex Cora supported his players all season long through professional and personal successes and difficulties. He doesn’t just have an open door, he walks around the clubhouse checking in. His players don’t have to be told that they have access to him, he’s right there with them. He builds confidence and trust through a very close and personal relationship with his players.
Be consistent
The players have said that Alex Cora’s consistency was crucial to them. He communicated a consistent message. He followed a consistent plan. He was the same from spring training to game 5 of the World Series. His players knew what to expect day in and day out. No surprises.
Set clear expectations
Establish and communicate clear expectations – individually and for the team as a whole. Make sure each employee understands their role and how their contributions will help the team achieve the goals. Make the goals mutual and get agreement and commitment. Be there throughout the journey to help your team manage the expectations.
Embrace analytics
Use metrics and data to your advantage – to make recommendations, to guide decisions, to foster productivity, to develop strategies to navigate to your goal. Balance the data with a healthy dose of your own practical experience and a good understanding of your employees’ abilities, triggers and motivations.
Stay focused on the big picture
Help your team stay focused on the ultimate goal. Eliminate and manage distractions. Execute not just for today, but for the whole season. “Do damage” until the damage is done.
Communicate
Be transparent. Communicate expectations. Explain decisions to your employees so they don’t have to wonder why. Admit when you’ve made a mistake. Communicate early and often – and honestly.
Cultivate a homegrown talent strategy
Cultivate a strategy to motivate, grow and develop your entry-level talent. Identify high performers and high-potentials and invest in them. Along with your seasoned veterans, your farm team will contribute to your future success.
Celebrate wins
Alex Cora kept a framed photo of each team win in his office. He celebrated each of the team’s small victories along the way to the ultimate victory. Celebrate each of your team’s successes.
This is a team that made history. Use their keys to success to make some history of your own.
Submitted by Deborah M. McCormick