Before each game, Jimmy Johnson, (the TV analyst and Dallas Cowboys retired coach) would ask his players, “Who’s going to make the big game changing play today?” What a way to motivate his players! His players already knew what he expected, now he would challenge them to do the unexpected! Each player could define what the “game changing play” meant to them. Jimmy understood everyone wants to be a hero. At least that’s the only player he wanted playing for the Cowboys.

Why do you think it’s so hard for pro athletes’ to walk away from the game? It’s not because they love the spotlight, well maybe some of them do, but it’s the battle, the competition and their teammates that brings them back, year after year.

In business, as in sports, to accomplish greatness, you need Heroes! Does your company have Heroes? Would you know one if he/she worked for you, or are you threatened by the person who shows signs of being a Hero? Heroes challenge themselves as well as the people they work for, it’s in their DNA. They will not settle for good enough, they have to question everything. Not to be right, but to do right, and become better. Remember, you cannot motivate anyone to do a good job unless he/she has a good job to do!

Many successful companies create a culture of Heroism. They do this through unorthodox management practices like free time to create new ideas, ask questions on how to get better, and dream up ideas for new and innovative products or services. You may want to be successful, but until you create or have an environment that encourages Heroism, you’ll always be competing with the average, and then you’ll be nothing but average.

Creating a company full of heroes:

• Demand your employees have free time to create, learn and be inspired, on company time. What is invested in this will pay out sevenfold in the long run!
• They must be accountable by presenting the results of their ideas to the rest of the company.
• Create team competition with new ideas and ways to improve first self, and then company issues.
• Find a way for the employees to use the free time for anything other than business related ideas.
• Never reward with money, reward with honest praise and fun accolades. Be creative!

Is there a Hero in your company?

Ask your employees:

• Are there avenues for your employees to be in a position to succeed or are they always set up to fail?
• Does your company create an open and honest culture of business?
• Does the “open door policy” mean the ideas someone submits are “slammed shut” with a non response or a no?
• Does your company communicate the expectation of its employees?
• Does your company have an avenue to communicate both up and down the management chain?

If you think this doesn’t work, just look up one of the many great companies and investigate why they’re great. You might be surprised at how they manage themselves.

It usually takes heroes to save companies from themselves…..