Pass on the Superstars

Whether you’re a fan or not, Tom Brady is the quintessential “A” player. 10 Superbowl appearances and 7 wins statistically make him the GOAT – the Greatest Of All Time. His long-time coach Bill Belichick was recently interviewed and said,

“He always found a way to make his players productive. It didn’t matter who the receiver or who the tight end was,” Belichick said. “He could understand what would make Rob (Gronkowski) more successful, what could make Troy Brown more successful, what could Wes Welker do — not what did I do with Troy that I can do with Wes Welker, but how can I make Wes Welker successful? How do I make Randy Moss successful? Those players were all great players but they were all very different and they had different skills…

Tom could always bring out the best of their skills.”

All of us are looking for “A” players. Those exceptional performers who always get it done and make it happen. As a leader, I understand the attraction and the obsession with trying to find more just like them. But what if your obsession with this kind of team member is holding your organization back?

Tom Brady did not have the best arm. He was not a great athlete by NFL standards, but he is widely regarded as the best quarterback of all time because he made everyone else better.

I am all for great individual performers, but superstars who don’t take the team with them are actually a detriment. They are holding you back. I want to challenge you to add the word “team to the phrase “A” player. Your “A” players need to be, first and foremost “A Team Player.” Don’t judge their value simply by their individual contribution. Do they make the team better? Are they focused on themselves or are they making everyone else better?