Are your employees “Out of Position”?

While watching my daughter’s freshman basketball game the other night, I couldn’t help but think to myself, “this has got to be the dumbest offense that I have ever seen”.  The coach had all 5 girls standing behind the 3 point line and probably only one of them could score from there; certainly not my daughter.  After watching the game for some time, I finally figured out that he was attempting to spread the court so that the point guard could drive to the basket.  I guess that he figured it was best to play 4 players “out of position” so that one player could utilize her skills and possibly score.  It’s certainly a strategy…. but I don’t think it’s a very good one.

One of my favorite athletes and probably the best basketball player of all time – Michael Jordan  - is a perfect illustration of my point.  Early in his career, his coach Phil Jackson, used to preach to Michael that there is no “I” in team and Michael used to respond but there is in “WIN”.   However, the Bulls did not become a great team, nor win a championship until Michael heeded his leader’s words and began utilizing the talents of his teammates.  Who can forget - other than Phoenix or Utah fans - Michael passing the ball out to the wing to John Paxson , and again to Steve Kerr  and those two “role players” making crucial baskets at critical moments in those championship games.   They had positioned themselves perfectly and Michael Jordan capitalized on this.  (Ok …. by now you have figured out that I am a basketball junkie).

Organizations are very much like sports teams.  They are comprised of talented people with differing skill sets.  The key to an organization being successful is to understand the different skills of each of their employees and to put them “in position” to be successful.   It’s not easy to do today where resources are generally scarce,  and it has become even more important that each member of the team understands their role and is always ready to contribute.   

Figuring out if you have put your team in the right position to score – or your organization in position to capitalize on opportunities – is tricky.  It takes time, and you will make a few mistakes along the way.  The key is to recognize these errors in judgment and make the appropriate changes.  Everyone wants to contribute, and I have found that talking to your employees and getting their feedback can go a long way in helping put them “in position” to be successful.

During these critical economic times you need to ask yourself … does your organization have people “out of position”?