Engaging “B” Players
B-Players are where it’s at! They’re solid performers, making up the bulk of any good company. If, as a leader you want to make a real impact, coaching B-Players is where it’s at.
3 Big Things!
B-Players matter more than most of us realize. Here’s how to ensure they thrive:
Performance. As a manager, you’re on the hook for coaching your solid performers to improve year after year. A-Players might do it on their own, but B-Players need you.
Engagement. You have to keep them engaged! At it’s core, this means you have to both challenge and support them.
Retention. A & C Players get the most attention from most managers. Acknowledge their impact! Solid performers often start to wonder if they’re even valued, a recipe for losing the people you count on.
Please Do :
Pay attention to B-Players – they’ve earned it!
Keep them engaged by challenging and helping them grow.
Give B-Players the constructive feedback they need to learn, change & perform.
Remind them how their impact links to the strategy and success of the company.
Use them to reality check grand ambitions. B-Players have insights that A-Players may not.
Please Don’t:
Fall into the trap of focusing primarily on A & C Players.
Lose your B-Players to competitors because you don’t pay attention to their good work.
Assume once a B-Player, always a B-Player.
Think they are “less than” A-Players in intelligence or ability.
Believe they are not ambitious. B-Players often want to achieve, but not at all costs. Work-life balance matters to them.
Quick Wins
Identify 1 or 2 performance gaps and challenge B-Players to close them.
Jointly select a development opportunity that matters to them and the company.
Use the tips and phraseology. They work.
Celebrate success – it matters!