There are many ways to suffocate talent. Regrettably, it’s all too easy
to stunt the growth of high-potential employees. Too many folks who occupy leadership
positions these days are quite practiced at this art.
Whether it’s an NBA squad, a Fortune 500 corporation or the White House, organizations that stifle talent because of the ego needs of one selfish person thin out their ranks and often pay a very big price. Building and sustaining high-performance teams usually separates the winners from the losers.
Just ask Victor Oladipo and Kristaps Porziņģis, the
Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard and New York Knicks center. These guys
seem destined for greatness, especially the Latvian-born Porziņģis who is
coveted by Boston Celtics’ fans like me. The dreadful reality confronting these emerging stars, however, is that they're being overwhelmed by larger-than-life, selfish prima donnas.
Now, I don’t blame OKC’s Russell Westbrook for the position
in which he now finds himself. I do blame him and his coach, however, for the superstar point guard often
taking more shots in a game than the rest of the team combined. And let there
be no doubt of the invidious effect the Knicks' Carmelo Anthony has on teammates by insisting that he get the ball in his hands all the time, too. The problem is
– and you can see it on the court as play unwinds – is that terrific, aspiring performers such as Oladipo and Porziņģis find themselves in the position of high-priced
fans; they just stand around and watch Westbrook and Anthony
do their things. Is it any wonder that their effectiveness has declined over this season?
Whether it’s an NBA squad, a Fortune 500 corporation or the White House, organizations that stifle talent because of the ego needs of one selfish person thin out their ranks and often pay a very big price. Building and sustaining high-performance teams usually separates the winners from the losers.
Photo of Porziņģis courtesy of NBC Sports.