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Developing Winners

Written by: Cheryl Leitschuh

Article Overview: Our position is this: Profits and growth are about performance and performance is about people. Therefore, invest in people. Invest in people because this is potentially a highly leveraged investment.

Developing Winners

Our position is this: Profits and growth are about performance and performance is about people. Therefore, invest in people. Invest in people because this is potentially a highly leveraged investment.

In our work as development experts, we work with lots of individuals who are winners. But a winner, like any champion, is bound to have one or two vulnerabilities that could hold them back or even knock them out of the game. Any professional, whether athlete or businessperson, can have just one small thing wrong with their game but, without fixing it, they won’t perform at a championship level. In fact, champions require expert and intensive coaching.

On the flip-side of this issue of high-performance behavior, either culture or management can screw up a player’s game if they don’t know how to handle the person psychologically. Fast-trackers and potential champions are often like thoroughbreds — lots of determination and flash and speed — but they can also be sensitive, reactive, and quirky. So, they’re frequently more demanding and difficult to handle than the more ordinary performer. And, quite typically, you won’t get championship performance out of them if you’re not managing them with finesse; and each one’s different!

Consequently, we advise our clients to beware that with even the best of their players, slumps will happen.

As a result, we suggest that you:

 Be prepared for slumps — be vigilant
 Catch problems early on — early identification and early intervention are the watch words
 Call a spade a spade — don’t be overly patient and tolerant and then blow a gasket
 Don’t throw in the towel and don’t make it worse — the problem is fixable, so
 Fix it
 And, forget quick fixes.

Related Articles
  Make it Happen
  Mental Toughness
  5 Mental Attitudes of Winners
  Leadership Assessment #23 – Leaders Create Winners
  The Price Winners Pay

Article Tags: athlete, champion, development experts, early intervention, finesse, flip side, game, gasket, high performance, performance behavior, profits, quick fixes, slumps, spade a spade, thoroughbreds, throw in the towel, vulnerabilities



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Re: Boosting Confidence - Kevin, I am so glad you asked that question! It's the missing link for so many people (and a huge key to confidence and entrepreneurial endurance). Since you asked the question hypothetically, when I say "you", I'm not meaning you personally, Kevin (unless you identify with it). Our purpose is like our personal mission statement. It's something we need to consciously sit down and think about. The problem is that so many have blocked their own voice and focused on outside influence instead. We need to practice listening to our own inner self. Confidence is found within so this is where we need to start. It means we need to trust that we actually do have the answers to what it is we need to know for our own personal success. They key to our purpose is actually tied in with what we really love to do. To start discovering what your purpose is, start discovering what you are really passionate about. Then begin asking yourself what you would love to do that would make a huge difference in that particular area. For example, if you love technology and also desire to help people, ask yourself how you can really help people using your technology. If your business is already established, start considering how you can develop the next phase of it to match your sense of purpose. Perhaps it's even time to delegate your work so that you can be freed up to pursue what you REALLY love to do. The great side effect is that most of us do a far better job at what we love to do anyway. Many people don't even get to this point because they disqualify their sense of passion and purpose before they even really discover the way to build financial success based on what they love to do. Some consider it a "pipe dream", but I say, "Why not?" You mention money, but what some people don't realize is that you must discover you purpose or your personal mission FIRST if you are to tap into passion to create the kind of wealth that is really satisfying. If you talk to people with money, you will discover that financial success is not what truly makes you happy. Satisfaction is the key ingredient. Developing a business which matches your passion and your purpose ensures you will enjoy the success when you get there. When you pursue developing your business from this place, confidence comes along side you because you are aware you have a personal mission to help others or create change in some way. It takes the focus off you and gives you confidence to overcome what could seem like incredibly challenging obstacles. If you are simply chasing money, there will come a point that you will really question if it is all even worth it. You may be faced with this question regardless, but if you have purpose, you often find the fortitude to really press forward anyhow. I hope that answers your question, Kevin. Warm regards, Tami
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Export To start exporting or moving into new markets grants of 50% of costs up to £20,000 each. Training and Education Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, Achieving Best Practice in Your Business, Investors in People Modern Apprenticeships New Deal for various grants. Environment BOC Foundation for the Environment: 25% to 50% of Project cost, typically £20,000 to £100,000 Clean up Fund: Emission reducing equipment up to 75% of cost Community Chest Fund: Up to £25,000 for projects near active SITA sites High Impact Fund: £150,000+ for larger projects near SITA sites Assisted Areas Regional assistance grants of between 10 and 35% for capital expenditure in less favoured areas of the UK. Loans Loans are an excellent source of finance if you have suitable security to borrow against or a reliable earnings stream. This needs to be planned and presented well to obtain funds. Credit cards Provides up to 56 days free credit if you play the game! 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It can be an innovative way of raising funds for the more established business. Mostly for expansion capital. Equity This is not as easy as the papers would have you know. Only 1% of business plans received by Venture Capital Funds are successful. However, a good business proposition consisting of a strong demand for the product or service, management track record and a sound financial plan will enhance the chance of success. Business Angels These are high net worth individuals who are successful businessmen looking for investment opportunities. They can provide both time expertise and money. Typical investment size is £25,000 to £250,000 but can go as high as £2m for the right opportunity. Exit within 3-5 years. Venture Capital These are investment funds seeking high rates of return. However typically investments are over a million pounds. Some funds are targeted at lower amounts depending upon the sector and region. 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