About this morning's shocking NBA trade
Today’s 3-team NBA trade involving Luka Don?i? & Anthony Davis sent shockwaves through the sports world.
Even if you’re not a hoops fan, you’ll want to hear this (and what we can learn from it.)
They don’t get any bigger (or better) than Don?i? and Davis. The trade is historic, not only because of the caliber of the players involved but also due to its rarity.
Swapping 2 All-NBA players midseason is unprecedented. Period. Luka Don?i?, a generational talent, and Anthony Davis, a dominant force on both ends of the court, shifting teams mid-career, underscores the unpredictability & strategic maneuvering in pro sports.
Fans & analysts alike are stunned today, primarily because such moves are extremely rare and involve high risks & (potentially) high rewards for the teams involved.
And it’s a crucial reminder for you.
Just as in an NBA trade, where the fit of players within their new team strategies was crucial, you’ve got to prioritize alignment with your company’s culture & goals when you hire.
A study by the Society for Human Resource Management shows that turnover due to poor culture fit can costs your company 60% of the person’s annual salary. Yep, when you mishire a bad culture fit, $50-100K is wiped from your P&L when they walk out the door.
Thus, hiring with an eye for fit, not just skill, is economically prudent. I coach my clients to Always take DNA over skills.
Defining your company’s DNA
Before initiating the hiring process, you’ve got to delineate the attributes that make up your core organizational DNA. Each company’s got them. This practice is akin to a coach understanding the specific roles players must play on the team.
According to the Harvard Business Review, companies with clearly articulated and understood organizational values outperform others in growth & employee satisfaction.
Share it with candidates
Communicating the essence of your company's culture during the recruitment process attracts candidates who resonate with the organizational ethos. And those who don’t match your DNA will opt out - which is precisely what you want.
A LinkedIn report highlighted that 75% of job seekers consider an employer’s brand before even applying for a job, indicating the importance of clear & attractive cultural messaging.
领英推荐
What makes your company unique? It ain’t because you pay top of market. (And you likely don’t anyway.)
Continue to refine your DNA
Post-hiring, continuous evaluation of employee alignment with your evolving company culture is crucial.
Just as NBA teams reassess player contributions each season, you and your fellow managers should regularly review each employee’s fit to navigate changes in the organizational direction.
A Gallup poll emphasizes that businesses that adapt to cultural shifts retain talent nearly 3 times better than those that do not.
Invest in new-hire onboarding
A robust onboarding process can significantly enhance new hires' integration into the company culture. Research from the Brandon Hall Group shows that strong onboarding processes improve new hire retention by 82% and productivity by 70%.
Skip this step at your own peril.
So, shortly we’ll see how Don?i? and Davis perform on their new teams. What should you do in the meantime?
Here’s what I recommend:
The shockwaves from the NBA trade not only reshaped team rosters but also provided a compelling case study in strategic organizational alignment.
Will you score a 3-pointer or an airball this week?
Jeff
p.s. Can’t find the all-stars to put on your court? Here’s how to find ‘em without risking anything.