Impact Players

In sports it’s easy to see and understand. Names like Jordan, Bird, and Magic, come to mind. When players like these are on the floor nothing is impossible. The same holds true in the workplace.  

 Every business has people who are impact players. Most days they look like everyone else on the production line, in the office, or on the job site.

·      Who are these people in your business?

·      How do you identify Impact Players?

·      How do you manage / develop Impact Players?

What makes Impact Player Special:

 Impact Players are more interested in team success than individual accolades. Much of the time Impact Players don’t have leadership titles or roles, but they are willing to step up when needed and will fall back and follow when conditions are normal. Impact players possess a special quality that draws them to points of friction. They don’t just do their job – they do what is needed to be done. They don’t enjoy this friction, but they thrive in it. Impact Players have a higher tolerance for risk than most. So, who on your team is an Impact Player?

 Impact Players already see the bigger picture and have the potential to make a huge difference in your organization today and in the future. Impact Players can exist at every level of your organization, from the front-line to the executive level. When doing succession planning identifying these individuals early is important. These folks need a unique environment to thrive and grow. This environment requires special leadership.

Creating an Environment for Growth:  

Impact Players, need a safe environment to nurture and grow. One where they can fail and get stretched. It is important for leaders to know the strengths and limitations of their entire team but more specifically their Impact Players. By leveraging these special team members strengths and understanding limits, leaders can create an environment that allows for disciplined initiative and prudent risk taking. Impact Players don’t ask for permission – they just do! By understanding Impact Players limits the supervisor can place the Impact Player in positions where they fail small. Leaders must place these high potential team members in positions of discomfort that will allows for the greatest levels of growth.

 Identifying, nurturing, and growing Impact Players across an organization allows leaders to place these key team members not only where they are needed most but where they are most likely to reach their full potential.

Have questions? Reach out to us at: scott@TheProximityGroup.org