10 Traits Of Organizations That People Admire

“Everyone wants to be told they’re pretty!” – former co-worker

Every leader I know wants to head up a team, department or organization that people admire.  We all want to make a significant impact and see our influence increase.  The question becomes exactly how do you become an admired organization?
Earlier this month, the Chicago Cubs snapped their record 108-year championship drought in an epic 7-game World Series victory over the Cleveland Indians.  They are now the envy of every organization in baseball.
In the November 8th edition of the USA Today, writer Bob Nightengale discussed the Cubs’ success and how others are attempting to replicate it.  As I read his article, I gleaned the following are 10 Traits Of Organizations That People Admire:

1. Organizations That People Admire Are Mimicked By Other Organizations – New York Yankees general manager Mark Cashman said, “Everybody would like to get where the Cubs are now.”
2. Organizations That People Admire Feel Good About Their Direction – Cashman adds, “the Cubs are sitting on something I know they feel really good about and feel good about everything moving forward.”
3. Organizations That People Admire Have Young Talent – In one World Series game, the Cubs had six players 25 years old and younger in their starting lineup.
4. Organizations That People Admire Have Proven Leadership – Of Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein, Yankees special assistant Jim Hendry said, “Nobody in this world could have done a better job than Theo.  To do it in Boston and then in Chicago, two places where it never happened, Theo has proven to be a cut above everyone.”
5. Organizations That People Admire Hire Top Talent – Hendry added, “You still have got to make deadline trades that worked out admirably for them and get the right guys in the draft.”
6. Organizations That People Admire Expect Excellence From Their Employees – New Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said, “There’s an intensity about Theo Epstein and the way he pushes his employees.  He demands excellence for them…”
7. Organizations That People Admire Challenge The Status Quo – Hazen adds, “(He) challenges everything, no matter how small.”
8. Organizations That People Admire Place High Importance On Small Details – Hazen continues, “Nothing is unimportant to Theo.  No detail is unimportant.  I think that’s a really positive attribute that he has.” 
9. Organizations That People Admire Must Retain Their Top Talent – Cashman remembered the Yankees dynasty which won four World Series in five years from 1996 to 2000.  He said, “We had a nice dynasty…We had a collection of talent, and we were able to hold it together for quite some time.  It’s part of our history and something to be proud of.”
10. Organizations That People Admire Have The Very Best Leaders – Hendry concludes, “These things all go in cycles but the guy running the Cubs is pretty special.  And as long as he’s there, they’re not going away.  You hear everybody saying they’re going to get the next Theo.  Well, it hasn’t happened yet.”

What is one thing from this list you learned which will make you a better leader?

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