“The only way to do great work is to love what you do”
Steve Jobs
Recently I was listening to a podcast interview with author of the book Radical Candor, Kim Scott. She describes an interesting distinction for employees that I feel is lost on many in leadership today. In every company there are two types of employees, Rock stars & Superstars.
Superstars are employees on the fast tract of growth. We probably all have worked with, known or may even be one these people. Their careers seem to go from 0-60 over night. They demonstrate leadership skills early on, sign up for projects, join every committee possible. Soon their efforts pay off and they are climbing the corporate ladder.
Rock stars are the employees that show up everyday, do great work, have great customer skills, great team players and just over all solid employees. These employees love their job and really have no larger ambitions to move up in the corporation. This does not mean that these employees are lazy or do not have a drive. They just have different goals.
Overall most organizations are prone to favor the superstars vs the rock stars.
Why?
Most leaders were likely superstars and are quick to assume everyone has a similar drive. If an employee does not want to take on an additional project, it just means that they are not ambitious enough.
It’s only rock and roll to me
Think about the Rolling Stones.
They have been around for years doing the same thing. Making great music. They are wildly successful. No one would every accuse the Rolling Stones of lacking ambition.
They play rock and roll music really well.
I don’t think Mick Jagger has ever said I would like to change my title from lead singer to Chief Vocal Expressionist. Also, no one has ever asked Mick Jagger to run a Fortune 500 company.
If Mick Jagger had gone into management think of all the great music the world would have been deprived of. Also no one goes to a Rolling Stones concert to see the band manager.
Being good at one thing does not always translate to being good at another.
I think this is where many leaders falter. They have an employee doing a great job in one area and immediately peg them for a promotion. Often the employee is fearful that saying no may have a negative impact on their job, so while they are not really interested ,they say yes. Suddenly you have a rock star thrust into a superstar trajectory and this creates a bad fit.
I remember hearing one employee say, “I just want to be a worker bee.”
You know what. There is nothing wrong with that.
Guitar Practice
I like to attempt to play the guitar (I may have had dreams of being an actual rock star at one time, but my rapidly receding hairline has ended that dream), anyway to play the guitar you have to learn what note each string is, then you form those strings into chords, then you learn scales, then you learn alternate tuning. To learn to play the guitar is a lifelong endeavor that builds on foundational knowledge.
Popular musicians are always expanding their catalog even trialing different types of music. It keeps them engaged. They stay in their wheelhouse, but try to press the boundaries and continually improve their craft.
Organization are quick to throw resources at leadership development, absolutely nothing wrong with that, but by doing this you are alienating an entire section of employees who are eager to learn and grow as well.
As Kim Scott points out, superstars are often shooting stars ,in that their time in your organization is limited.
They are quick to move up and move on.
What if organizations put resources towards their rock stars?
Giving them resources to do their jobs better. Helping them learn new skills or reinforcing the basics.
Think if you had an organization of people that were really, really good at doing their day to day jobs, not just mediocre, but true experts!
Think of the employee engagement!
Think of the customer satisfaction!!
Think of the innovation at the front lines!!
Many organizations have internal leadership academies, I propose companies start having internal “Band Camps” to support the growth of the rock stars in the organization.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
I recently met a nurse that had retired from our organization after 37 years of service.
Talk about a rock star!
37 years of direct bedside nursing. That is amazing!!! The amount of wisdom and experience she had is invaluable.
How often are folks like this celebrated in your company?
In any organization there are many stories like this. People quietly coming to work. Doing an excellent job and going home. Day after day for years. Employees that devote a majority of their lives to your company.
Leaders, please don’t marginalize these folks just because they have different drives and ambitions than yourself.
Rock stars are the foundation of your organization and should be celebrated!!!!
Maybe even with a concert!!! I’ll play the guitar!
Keep Rockin!!!!!