Running a law firm is a lot about teamwork. Having the right people in the firm has a lot to do with the quality of delivery of your firm-team members. Hire only the best is a common thing you hear in business. Everybody wants only the best. That is why most people are after first-class brains. A question that begs to be asked at this time is:

How do you know a good team player? How do you know that the person you are hiring is an “A” player? How can you identify a top performer?

Even the best of us sometimes make mistakes in our hiring process and sometimes overlook a good hire. I am reminded of both Twitter and Facebook. For whatever reason, none of them when they had the opportunity to hire Brian Acton. Years later the mistake is obvious. Brian Acton becomes a co-founder of WhatsApp. Interesting thing is that Facebook later buys WhatsApp for a whopping $19 billion. Some of you may be able to relate to a story like that. Have you ever missed out on hiring a top performer?

Do you want to be an “A Player?” Then you need to know some of the qualities of “A Players.”

By being an indispensable player in your team or organization, you secure your future. You guarantee continuity for yourself in the workplace.  If there are any layoffs to be done in any organization, all things being equal, guess who doesn’t get the boot first?

Some Qualities of “A” players

Are you up to the competition? Are you willing to earn your spot in the team?  “A” players are great competitors. People like that do not settle for excuses. They strive to win even against all odds.

Passion

Top players perform with passion. They are driven. They are intense. “No” is not an option. They will find a way around any obstacle no matter what it is. They live for the game, they live to win.

Focus

Focus is a good pointer to a top performer. Focus is key. Eyes on the target. They start and finish. They start and see it through in the shortest time possible. It takes discipline to be focused. The need for discipline for a top performer cannot be overemphasized. Talent or great skill without discipline is wasted potential. A disciplined person without much skills or talent will go farther than a person with the best skills but no discipline. Guess who gets the boot in any shakeup?  Pretty obvious – the one who lacks discipline.

Responsible for your actions

For you to be a top performer you must always be responsible for your actions and the consequences. Fully responsible. You own both the good and the bad outcomes. No excuses. To take full responsibility you need to hold yourself to very high standards of accountability. Accepting full responsibility for all outcomes and not giving excuses opens up possibilities for finding solutions to any problems that come up.

Adapt to change

You cannot be a top performer and are not ready to move out of your comfort zone. Top performers are ready to adapt to change. They are ready to course correct if things aren’t going on well. They are ready to try on things until they get it right. They evaluate and monitor their progress and make the necessary adjustments as they go along.

Self-motivated

To be able to do this top, performers are self-motivated. They require little to be motivated and also inspire others around them. They help their peers be the best they can. They boost morale. They encourage. They inspire. They are willing to share and give because they understand the value of teamwork.

Go the extra mile

“A” Players/top performers always go the extra mile. They are not satisfied with just doing enough to get by. They put in the extra hours. They push beyond the usual, beyond the expected, to do whatever it takes to get the job done. They work to improve on their skills and stretch their capacities to endure and deliver. They take a holistic approach to their job. 

The now is, are you an ”A Player?” Can you become one?  Yes you can.

It starts with a decision then backed by consistent action. You have to be intentional and develop the habit of being an “A” player.

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To your success

Zoe Thompson