Help your Business Soar with Eagles, Not Ducks.

Possibly my all-time favorite leadership quote comes from John Maxwell, a giant in the leadership development field. He said "You cannot take a duck to eagle school." It hit me hard years ago, finally giving me permission to acknowledge the limits of my responsibility to single-handedly grow every employee.

Like many people-oriented leaders, I was slow to fire underperformers. I constantly excused their lackluster work and gave endless second chances. Maxwell taught me that leadership isn't a magic bullet for ensuring everyone thrives. We, as leaders, do have a responsibility to provide the platform and culture for development, but ultimately, success lies with the individual.

Our world has eagles, majestic and rare, who soar effortlessly. But it also has many ducks. There's nothing wrong with being a duck, but they have limitations. Their "duck-ness" prevents them from becoming eagles.

For a long time, I was frustrated with my ducks. I wasted countless hours trying to turn them into eagles our business needed. Maxwell's wisdom helped me see the futility of pouring time into a duck and expecting them to become something they're not. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, well, it's a duck! Perhaps the best option is to help them find a more suitable role elsewhere. Keeping a duck in an eagle role denies an opportunity for a "baby eagle" we can invest in and nurture into a powerful leader.

If you've followed me, you know I emphasize leaders' responsibility to develop their people. However, we also need to acknowledge that sometimes the person just isn't a good fit. Our best course of action might be to cut ties and focus on attracting and developing "baby eagles" for our team.

Here’s my challenge to you: 

Review your team. Are they eagles, even young ones? Or are they ducks, even experienced ones? Invest in your eagles' growth, but don't be afraid to let go of the ducks. Be kind, but remember: holding onto ducks limits your space for the eagles who can truly help your business soar.

Finding Your Team's Eagles: Matching Strengths to Roles

Here's the key to truly empowering your team: align individual strengths with team roles. Imagine trying to hammer a nail with a wrench – it might work eventually, but it'll be inefficient and frustrating. The same goes for people. When you place someone in a role that utilizes their natural strengths and talents, they'll be more engaged, productive, and likely to excel. They'll also require less hand-holding and can focus on growth within their area of strength.

So, how do you identify your team's eagles and their strengths?

• Open Communication: Encourage open communication with your team members. Talk to them about their career goals, what kind of work they find energizing, and the skills they'd like to develop.
• Performance Reviews: Use performance reviews as a two-way street. Not just a time to assess accomplishments, but also to discuss strengths and how to leverage them within the team.
• Strengths Assessments: Consider using personality or strengths assessments to gain insights into your team members' natural tendencies and preferences.

By understanding your team's strengths, you can start strategically assigning roles and projects. This doesn't mean a one-size-fits-all approach. Some roles may require a combination of strengths, and some individuals may have the potential to develop new skills. The key is to create a work environment where everyone has the opportunity to contribute their strengths and grow in their areas of interest.