By Armando Trabanco, Banking Executive.
As we analyze our organizations, we look to create teams that are driven to succeed. We hire and evaluate based on professional capacities, degrees and past experiences, but how does that become relevant when we are running on thin margins and short deadlines? We understand the process, the necessary skill sets and hire accordingly, yet the Team isn’t hitting the mark. We revise our incentive programs, retrain and have kick off celebrations, and still the lift is negligible.
Once we’ve done all this, and still don’t have the desired results – the answer may be the Teams commitment. Commitment to a cause or goal can never be underestimated. This is the driver that overcomes obstacles, exceeds expectations and sets new standards. The question now becomes whats causing this energy drain. Review the supervisors attitudes and overall team morale. Some times we can get excellent results by addressing negative attitudes, and should never underestimate the effect of low morale.
When hiring, look for positive personality traits. Commitment is something that you can’t place your finger on, can’t teach or develop it. It can however be detected through a persons core values. If the person is positive and excited about what they do, chances are they will be committed. When hiring, look for enthusiasm in the candidates actions and conversation. Are they optimistic and focused on the possibilities or are they pessimistic? Do they expect things to get better or worse in their lives, regardless of current circumstances? Do they focus on past successes or previous failures? Did they learn from past mis-steps? All of these questions will give you a good indication of their core values and more importantly on how committed they will be to their work.
When looking to create a great Team- go with those who are committed and willing to go the extra mile, those who see the future as positive and are willing to make it that way for themselves and the Team.
” I’d rather have a player with 50% ability and 100% commitment, because the guy with 100% commitment is going to play hard every day, so you can make a system to fit what he can do. The other guy- the guy with 100% ability and 50% commitment – can screw up your whole system because one day he’ll be out there waltzing around.” Vince Lombardi
