I love basketball banter! As I’ve aged, I have come to appreciate the pre & post game analysis more than game action. The news that still has the basketball world buzzing and the Dallas community in fury, is the trade that happened behind closed doors, finalized in the wee hours of the night to avoid public scrutiny & backlash.
Coined the most shocking trade in NBA history, the move of one of basketball’s rising legends is still mind-boggling to many. How could a franchise with playoff aspirations at the beginning of the season now be facing a missed opportunity to make the postseason?
I’ll leave the conspiracy theories to the experts, but there are important lessons to takeaway for the business world:
- Championship organizations move in one accord with clear goals that are understood by everyone within the organization.
- It should be fundamental, yet clear & honest communication continues to be non-existent between executives and their team members. How could a trade of this magnitude happen without the consent of the head coach? It seems condescending to make a franchise altering transaction without consulting key members of the leadership team.
- Trust within the organization has been compromised. If the most valuable player on the team can be moved in such a callous and calculated manner, then what else is management capable of and who’s next? I’ve heard franchises and teams referred to as families, until it’s time for budget cuts and layoffs!
- You’ve alienated your stakeholders (i.e., your fans/customers). Moving your franchise player was one thing, but taking the fans for granted was an even bigger error by the ownership team. Putting a product on the court or into the marketplace that resonates with your audience should be the priority. Sadly, that has become secondary to many business leaders.
- Team chemistry took a hit. Trades can happen at any point during the basketball season. Tenured employees leave or get fired without much notice. Business dictates that these things happen, but that does not absolve leadership of the responsibility of softening the impact of those changes. Again, communicating is the best way of reassuring your team & stakeholders that everything is okay, and that things are still heading in the right direction.
Whatever you are trying to accomplish as a business leader should be clearly communicated. It’s unrealistic and counterproductive to reach a consensus on every decision, but leaving your team in the dark is certainly not the way to build a winning organization.
Hidden agendas provide a smooth runway for your best people to take their talents elsewhere.